The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-01-29
ARREST TWO
LOCAL MEN ON
SERIOUS CHARGES
DETESTABLE CRIME ON YOUTH
AND PERJURY LAND TWO IN
THE COUNTY JAIL.

Spencer's court last Friday charging
Edward l.. Anthony with detestable
and unprintable crime against Leo j.
Sears, a 14-year-old youth of this city
and after hearing the evidence which
the boy had to offer in the case, Anth-
ony was arrested, Deputy Sheriff
Murray serving the warrant and plac-
ing the man under arrest Monday
morning about IL o'clock. Anthony,
when taken before Judge Spencer,
waived examination and was bound
over to the circuit court. In default
of $500 bail, he was taken to Ionia,
where he will remain i'll the county
jail until his conviction, acquittal or
until he can secure someone to go on
his bond.
Anthony moved to this city from
Stanton about five or six months ago
the old Henry .Shindorf blacksmith
shop building and seemingly Of gen
ial disposition, he soon made many
friends and his business was growing
and things seemed to be coming his
way in good shape. He was a good
mixer and was always ready for a
little fun, he being one of the main
attractions in the memorable peace
and victory parade which was held in
this city on November IL last. He
was one of the darkies who were seat
ed up on top of the old fashioned
hearse, playing banjos and singing,
much to the delight of all who saw
them.
Anthony had been in minor trou-
bles before at Stanton, so it is claim
ed by people who were acquainted
with him at that place, but there was
nothing of a serious nature in his Of
fenses. The first time that he came
before the circuit court was when out
of generosity he sent a. jug of hard
cider to Miles Bigler, who was ailing
with the flu and the Blacksmith think
ing that the cider would do the old
fellow good, offered to send him over
little of the liquor. The cider was
sent with VIM. Gavitt,. but either pur-
posely or not the latter failed to de-
liver it and took it back home with
him where it was eventually found
by Mrs. Gavitt, who sWore out war
rant charging Mr.. Anthony with hav-
ing furnished her husband with cider.
This affair, while admittedly net an
| open violation of the local option law
drew a $25 fine. The accused mani
in this case stuck right to the truth
| in the matter and never denied for al
minute the accusation against him.
In the charge against him at tho
present time however, and for which
he will have to stand trial, he makes|
complete denial of the whole AFFAIR."
The boy, on the other hand after tell !
ing Alvin Showers, with whom nd
lives, of the alleged criminal incidentI
later on made an affidavit in support
of his charge. In case Mr.. Anthony
is convicted of the crime, he will b4
liable to prison sentence of from
one to five years.
A regrettable feature in connection
with this case is that Mrs. Anthony j
a cripple and Anthony's aged mother
who has been making her home wit
him, is an invalid.
The other man to be arrested on !
serious charge was William Gavit(
a junk dealer residing on Front stree
and is an outgrowth of the hard eide
case which his wife caused to b
brought against Anthony, the black
smith, when the latter was having hi
hearing to establish his innocence
guilt of the charge against him. Bot
Mr.. and Mrs. Gavitt were at tha
time placed as witnesses against M
Anthony and their testimony in cad
NcASC, oO ~ 10 dllCSSu, was VII cCbly
4 variance with that which the oth{
gave.
Owing, to this fact, warrant WI
issued, at the instigation of Pros
cutting Attorney j. Clyde Watt, fro
the justice court of Justice Jol
Nichol of Icnia and Deputy Sher
Murray was ordered to serve t
same and bring Gavitt to Ionia, whe
he was given hearing and waiviI
examination was bound over to t
circuit court for trial at the ne
session. Should he be able to obta
bail in the amount Of $500 he will
allowed his freedom until he, too.
either acquitted or convicted. T
sentence for the crime of perjury
from five to Is years and this is VIII
he would get in case he is convict
of the offense.
Gavitt was also former reside
of Stanton and has a former wife
siding in Grand Rapids from VIII,
he separated number of years a
so it is claimed A son, Stan
Gavitt, is printer and lives at ST.
ton.
i Deputy Murray took both Cav
and Anthony to Ionia by auto Mond
at noon and turned them over
Sheriff Hoppough.
Later-Gavitt secured bondsn
and is now at liberty.
q