The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1919-03-25
CIRCUIT COURT HAS
BEGUN ITS GRIND;
few CRIMINAL CASES
William Fryman Found Guilty Of Coal
"Heavlng' and Sentenced to Two
Years In Penitentiary-Petlt
Jury Down to Real Work
-O'Cull Fined For
BoOtlegging.

The March term of the Mason Cir
cult Court was begun in earnest this
morning when the perit jury reported
for duty and were sworn in by Circuit
Judge G. d. Newell. The court has
very little criminal matter to dispose
of during the term. The most impOr-
tant criminal cases being the coal
thefts on the c. 4 o. railroad and the
alleged rape on the steamer Homer
Smith. The latter case has been set
for trial April 18th and the coal cases
were started today.
The petit jury for this term is COM
posed of the following citizens of the
county: e. H. Nesbitt, John Wells,
Dan H. Lloyd, C. T. Biggers, Henry
Norris, James Rubenacker, E. F. Boyd,
Jr., George H. Frank, Roger Peers,
William Fitch, James Dawson, Frank
Sparks, James Finch, William L..
Traxel, W. w. McIlvain, ]. B. Furlong,
w. l.. Gault, James Coffee, P. j. MUIR
ply, Frank Hendrickson, Ollie Kill
gore, A. P. Lukins, l. B. Hockaday and
Ed Cablish,
The first case up for trial was an
examination of Charles Page, colored,
of the Helena neighborhood, who
about two years ago was found in
sane by jury in County Court and
sent to the State Asylum at Lexing-
ton. He remained at Lexington but
six weeks and was dismissed as recov-
cred. The investigation by the jury
this morning proved that Page had
been restored to his senses and ver-
dict was so returned.
In the case of Abe O'Cull indicted
two terms ago on charge of violat-
ing the local option laws, the law and
facts were submitted and a fine of
fifty dollars and costs was assessed
which was paid and the defendant al
lowed to go free.
Shortly before noon the trial of Will
liam Fryman, charged with stealing
from common carrier goods in in
ter state commerce, was begun and at
about three o'clock the evidence on
both sides was in and the case was
submitted to the jury. The jury was
out but few minutes when they re-
turned verdict of guilty and fixed
Fryman's punishment at confinement
for two years in the state penitentlary.
1t will be remembered that Fryman
was arrested by c. & o. Detective
Stewart several months ago near Car
mel street in the Sixth Ward when he
with others was caught throwing coal
off passing freight trains. The rail-
road company had furnished the pro-
secution with strong evidence. They
had even gone to the trouble and OK
pense to have their shipping clerks
from the point in West Virginia from
which the coal was shipped come to
Maysville and they testified as to the
car from which the boys were said to
have thrown the coal, being in inter-
state shipment.
Fryman and his brother, who testi-
fled for him, said on the stand that
they had thrown the coal off the train
but said they only threw off three or
four Jumps each and that they had not
iVu tiC wal away II
to their own use.
From the action taken by the men,
bers Of the jury in the case. 1t appears
that the people in this section are get
ting tired Of coal "heaving" on the
wholesale scales It has been growing to
here and a few verdicts like the one
returned this afternoon will certainly
break up the practise
BRYAN Johnson said to have beer
one of the boys with Frvman. proved
that he was not with the crowd and
was cleared bv a Jury.
Late this afternoon LAWYERS for the
YOUNGER Frvman bov, who was indict-
cd with his brother. and Prosecutor
Crannis were about to reach an agree.
ment whereby the boy will take a SEN
tence Of one year in the penitentiary
The evidence in his case is identical
| with that in hic hrothar'c ooco