Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1921-06-23
NEW VOL. 56-No. 25.
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT.

OF Saturday last we take the foIlou,;n,,
proceedings OF the Jefferson Circuit
we the jury find the prisoner Hen
~ Johnson guilty of murder in the
nls' NeSrSe and recommend that he no
puniSned ~ confinement in the peni-
Wh"ary' The foregoing is the laneu-
ase oi the verdict of a Jury sworn to
NY henry Johnson, IS years old for
the murder of Robert Mansfield on
me torierheld farm on Wednesday
mareh So In the Jefferson Circuls
Sourt late Wednesday afternoon.
Jonhson's trial began Tuesday morn
ing' a Jury for it being obtained win
very little delay. Two members 90,
the original panel showed themselves
legally disqualified for service ON thr
case. One asserted he had already
made up his mind about it and could
not consider the evidence impartiallv
while another one confessed that he
was conscientiously opposed to caoi-
tai punishment
The entire day TUESDAY and part Of
wednesday morning were cmployed
IN the examination OF witness for the
State, none of whom were eyewitness
es to the killing, most Of them testi-
ylng 10 circumstances leading up 10
the tragedy.
Johnson was the only witness in his
behalf, and his side of the story was
heard with interest by the large crowd
or spectators in attendance at coury
ooth days. The accused maintained
mat he shot Mansfield in defending
nimself when he believed that his own
life was in danger.
TrOuhle hoJ
two men at Mansfield's house on SAT
urday night, March 20. II was shown
that Mansfield put Johnson out of his
house after an alteration, and thcy
did not meet again till the following
Wednesday, when Mansfield was plow
ing for corn in field on the Porter
field farm, and Johnson was hauling
logs through the field to saw mill
on the same farm. In his statement
before the jury, Johnson said when
he on his log wagon team approached
Mansfield with the plow team, the lat
ter threw stone, which struck him
in the face, causing him to fall from
the saddle. Almost before he could
regain his balance Mansfield was upon
him, kicking and knocking him. Then
Johnson drew drew a revolver from
his hip-pocket and fired at his assail-
ant. He did not know how many
times he fired his revolver, being too
much frightened and excited to take
any account of II.
The verdict against Johnson car
ries with IL life term in the peni-
tentiary.
A decree was entered authorizing
John F. Myers, administrator, and
others to pay to the Farmers and Mer-
chants Trust Company OF Chambers
burg, Pa, all moneys due John Z.
Alice II. and Margaret Clark. infants.
The trust company was empowered
to bring suit to collect any funds duo
said infants il such action was found
necessary.
Report Of George M. BeltzhooveT,
Jr., special commissioner in the case
OF A. Douglass Freeman and others VS.
Julia Freeman Boil and others, was
confirmed, the commissioner being al
lowed to retain the shares OF two
minors, parties ,to the suit, pending
the qualification of suitable guardian
for them.
Upon their petition, T. Shirley and
Ella Z. Eby we're permitted to adopt
Eie'c Nora Reynolds as their child,
she to take the name OF Elsie Nora
Eby, and to succeed to all the rights
and PRIVILEGES size would have enjoyed
had she been their lawful child.
Report Of sale Of house and lot. SUBJ
ject Of a suit in chancery wherein
William o. Rau, guardian Of Robt. G.
George and Martha Stuart, were PLAIN
tffs and Minnie L. Stuart and others
defendants, was confirmed. Sale t
the property was made to Lewis n.
Rick.
A rule was issued against Earl r.
Coulter 10 show cause why he should
not be adjudged guilty Of contempt in
failing 10 supply an allowance for tho
support Of Nellie Coulter and children.
, Coulter had been required BY pre-
yious order Of court to maintain the
defendant. Nellie Coulter, and her
minor children.
A divorce was granted Jesse. Carson
Lawson from Fannie e. Lawson, and
il was ordered that the case be stricS-
en- from the docket.
N. T. Snyder. administrator OF Dan
iel Byers, was authorized to sell INC
real estate of the decedent.
A case that caused good deal on
interest was a suit brought by Huen
Cooley. a garage man OF Front Royai;
Va, against S. Leonard Cooley, o.
Sbepherdstown. Mr.. Cooley bouent
from Mr.. Miller a secondhand Cnana-
Ter automobile for 5000, the latter
guaranteeing the car to be in good or-
der. Mr.. Cooley paid $500 cash on
account and brought the car home: Dur
was never able to get it much furtner,
as it proved to be little more tnaI n;I
Junk. Machinists who examined II saiu
il was not worth repairing. Mr. Cooleg g
said it was practically worthless sno auS
refused to pay the balance OF 94oo. ~.
whereupon Mr.. Miller sued MN .ot
this amount. The jury returned ver-
dict in favor Of Mr.. Cooley.