The Penn's Grove record., 1921-09-23
County Courts
Opened Tuesday
Woman Again Chosen to Preside
Over Grand Jury. Long
Civil List

The September term of the Salem
Courts began in the Court House, Sa-
lem, on Tuesday, Judges Black, Donges
and Ware on the bench.
Mrs. Mary R. C. Clayton, of Salem,
was chosen by Judge Black as fore
woman of the Grand Jury.
The present term promises to be a
busy one, a great many of the cases
on the trial list being marked ready.
Prosecutor Beckley had 81 complaints
to present to the Grand Jury.
Judge Black in his charge explained
briefly the duties of the Grand Jurors,
stating that many may not have serv-
ed before and it must be novel. He
said the working is simple but is
nevertheless important. The oath
subscribed to expresses with c%learness
and conciseness the duties, but if there
are any doubts, the oath should be
read.
The Court declared there were no
matters of special importance-merely
minor infractions of the criminal law.
These, Judge Black said, were rela-
lively small and trifling accusations
sent up by Justices of the Peace of
the County. 1t has been limited that
these trif1ing cases have been sent up
by the Justices upon expectation in
some way gathering them together
for purposes of making costs. An in
vestigation should be made and if
there is any designation send for the
Justices to ascertain the true u
II -lz4.,rl 4l4,o 4f ~ NI-pOI1n
doings.
Constables Peacock, Vanmeter and
Harbeson, were placed in charge of
the Grand Jury.
Issues Nos. 1 and 2 of the Supreme
Court were tried at the same time.
No. l was r. L. Martin against the
Salem and Penns Grove Traction Com
pany, and No. 2, Josephine Reilly,
against the Traction Company. R. L.
Martin. William C. French, of Camden,
represented Mr.. Martin; ]. F. Sinnick-
son, the Traction Company, and David
H. Golf, of Camden, Miss Reilly.
Mr.. Martin, the owner of an auto
bus. operated in Penns Grove, brought
suit for damages as the result OF the
bus being struck by a trolley car on
South Broad Street on February %,
1920. Miss Reilly was a passenger in
the bus and she sought to recover for
personal injuries.
1t was the contention of Martin that
while his jitney bus was standing
along the curb at South Broad and
Church Streets, in charge of a com
petent driver, the car crashed into it
IL - Iol1r- 1oroo oroI II III o+ tho no
pair bill amounted to over $1,000.
The driver alleged that he did not see
a trolley, did not hear any alarm and
never knew what hit him until he
went back to investigate.
Miss Reilly was seated in the rear
of the bus about where the crash
came. and it was shown that she
suffered a dislocated shoulder and
was badly bruised about the body.
Physicians declare she has curvature
of the spine and has been unable to
follow her usual occupation. Miss
Reilly's contention is that either the
| Company or Mr.. Martin is liable to
damages.
The defense was that the accident
was caused by the plaintiffs own
negligence. 1t was evidence of the
motorman of the car that the bus was
driven directly across the tracks IN
front of him and stopped suddenly.
and he nor any one else, could have
possibly prevented the accident. 1t
was contended that had the driver of
the bus continued on his course, the
accident would never had happened
The driver of the jitney said he was
on the right hand side of the street
but all other witnesses declared he
was on the left all the time until he
crossed in front of the car. No cause
for action was the verdict in the suit
of Martin against the Traction Com
pany. In the suit of Miss Reilly an
award was given her against Mr.
Martin.
The Grand Jury remained in session
until eight o'clock Tuesday night. vi
81 bills presented only II indictments
were found and some of these are OF
a trifiing character.
No report was presented on the al
legged irregularity of some of the JUS
tees of the Peace but it is said the
matter was discussed.
The bills found and the pleas so fai
taken follow:
Joseph Calabreth, carrying conceal,
ed Weapon. Understood to be out OF
country.
Albert Garrison, larceny. Not
guilty.
George Thomas, larceny.
John Trennel. larceny. Not guilty.
Caleb Green, breaking and entering
and larceny. Not guilty.
Thomas jefferson, Clarence Cooper
and John Riley, larceny.
D. Earl Robinson, Willis Roberts
and Forrest w. MacNeel, larceny
Robinson and Roberts plead not guilty
NacNeel not present.
Horny Miller unlawful conVerSa-