The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1918-06-04
Court Notes

AS Thursday was holiday Judge
Lippincott decided to hold court on
| the day before and on Wednesday he
had iuries present to dispose of two
cases on his civil list.
The first was that of Anna Bell Car
penter against Antrim, Woolman &
Co.of Vincentown, to recover on asnote
for 5000. This was given in 1914 to
cover an amount claimed to be due on
balance of bill incurred at sale.
The defendant did not dispute the val
idity of the claim but eontended that
the plaintiff had taken possession of a
barn that did not belong to her and
that she owed the defendants $500.
The admission that the note was
valid disposed of that part of the case
and there could not be any defence on
that score, SO the jury rendered ver-
dict in favor of the plaintiff for the
note and interest, amounting to $243.
The counter claim was then disposed
of and was taken out of court on the
ground that real estate title could
not be proved in court of common
pleas. Robert Peacock represented
the plaintiff; Jonathan H. Kelsey ap-
pearing for the defendants.
The next case was that of David B.
Warren against the Pennsylvania
Railroad Company, to recover the
amount of damage done to one of his
automobiles. The car was struck at
the Washington street crossing some
time ago and was thrown into the
creek. Albert Matthias, who was driv-
ing, and woman passenger, were
thrown to the sidewalk but luckily
escaped serious injuries. Counsel
agreed on the amount that would be
acceptable to each party and the jury
was directed to render verdict for
$3.50. Robert Peacock was counsel for
Warren; former Judge Gaskill was the |
railroad company's lawyer.
On Friday, Judge Lippincott again |
held court. He had before him a man
by the name of Harry Thompson, who
was charged with assault and battery. |
The charge was not a serious one and |
Harry was placed in charge of the pro-
baton officer and ordered to pay the
costs.
George Loveland was charged with
stealing milk at Juliustown. He
pleaded not guilty. He was employed
at the milk farm at Juliustown and he
said his employer had given him per-
mission to drink as much milk as he
wanted. The case was laid over for
further consideration.
At a former session of the court
Harry Eckman was acquitted OF seri-
GUS crime committed on Mabel Mat
thews, of Fieldsboro The child was
sent to an institution to be held as a
material witness and on Friday Prose-
cutor Kelsey commenced proceedings
to have her committed to home per-
manently. The action was brought
under the act of 1915, concerning the
welfare of children. Robert Peacock
represented the parents of the child
and endeavored to show that she had
been properly cared for at her home,
clothed we'll and fed in a nourishing
manner. He commended that it would /
be an injustice to take this girl and |
keep her from her parents.
For the state the prosecutor intro |
duced testimony which was intended |
to show exactly the contrary of what
Mr.. Peacock was arguing. The fact
that the parents clothed and fed the
child was not denied, but there was
some doubt whether she had been
properly guarded against actions which |
were detrimental to her health and |
character. Medical testimony was pre-
sented that sustained these asser-
tions.
During the trial it became very evil
dent that there was bitter feeling
among members of the family and the
testimony had to be weighed very
carefully on that account.
At the conclusion of the trial Judge
Lippincott said the testimony showed
that the child greatly needed protec-
ton. He felt that the contention of
the state had been upheld and that
the parents were guilty of violation
of the act under which the proceedings
were brought. There is penalty of Q
fine or imprisonment or both, at the
discretion of the court, but the Judge
said he would defer this part of the
case for four weeks.
He felt that the child should. be put
in some institution temporarily, at
least, and he issued an order sending
her to the Mary ]. Ball Nursery at
Camden.