The Mount Holly news., 1919-12-02
WOULD-BE ROBBERS
SENTENCED

The perpetrators of two recent at
tempted bold robberies were sent to
state prison last Thursday by Judge
i Wells.
Elwood Kelly, who, wearing a mask
and with revolver in hand, entered the
/ farm house of David Sharp, near Col
umbus, with intent to rob, was con-
victed of assault with intent to kill
Miss Mary Ann Sharp, sister of
David.
After Kelly entered the kitchen
door of the Sharp house on Sunday
morning, November 23d, he encoun-
tered Miss Sharp, and when she
screamed for help he shot at her. The
culprit was overpowered by Mr.. Sharp
and his nephew, Irwin Sharp, who
were in an adjoining room, and was
placed under arrest.
The evidence showed the above
facts; also that Kelly had slept in the
Sharp barn the previous night, and
that he had disguised himself with the
evident intent of making quick
change so as not to be recognized, as
he wore civilian SUIT over an army
uniform, and had two caps.
Kelly pleaded guilty to two charges:
carrying concealed weapon and at
tempted robbery. To another charge
of assault with intent to kill, he
pleaded not guilty He said he had
no idea or intention of shooting any
person; that he carried the revolver
to frighten the inmates of the house,
and that he did not shoot at but away
from Miss Sharp.
He was found guilty of the charge
Judge Wells imposed sentence as
follows: Carrying concealed weapon,
2 to 3 years; attempted robbery, to
Z years; assault with intent to kill, 8
to II years, all in state prison, the
sentences to run concurrently.
Another attempted robbery case
was heard. Last Wednesday evening,
John Applegate, of Chatsworth, while |
in the yard back of his home, carrying
a lantern, was attacked by two men,
who attempted to overpower him. |
Mrs. Applegate hearing the affair,
rushed from the house with a revolver
in her hand. She threatened to shoot
the men, who then hurriedly made |
their escape.
Officers from this and Atlantic
counties were notified and a search |
was made for the would-be robbers.
They were caught near Hammonton
on Thursday morning and brought to-
the Mount Holly Jail. |
They gave their names as George
Giberson, who is a resident of this |
county, in the neighborhood of Chats
worth, and Ned Turner, who said his
home is in Richmond, Virginia. Tur-
ner is a colored man.
Each was charged with assault and
battery and attempted robbery. They
pleaded guilty to both charges and had
no explanations to offer when called
upon by the court.
Judge Wells sentenced them to state
prison for from 2 to years for as
sault and battery, and to 7 years for
attempted robbery, the sentences to
run concurrently.
Seaford Harmon and Elmer Trib-
Oitt, two Mount Holly colored men,
who two weeks ago had pleaded guilty
TO assault and battery on Rev. Will
lam B. Perry at supper being given
n Mt. Moriah Church, were called for
sentence.
Rev. Mr.. Perry had requested the
court to be lenient with the men, as
hey did not know what they were do
ng, being under the influence of
liquor at the time. +
The Judge suspended sentence;
placed the men on probation for one
year with the proviso that they sign
pledge to abstain from the use Of Ii
Iuor during that period, and that theyl
)ay the costs of prosecution within six
months.