Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1929-11-28
NOVEL TRIAL CELEBRATES
RECENT NUPTIAL EVENT

sonian of Nov. %, had the follow
ing:
Secretly indicted on charge o.
"deceiving her friends wilfully and
maliciously in matrimony,' Mrs.
Woodie Chambers Gardner, popular
common pleas court stenOgrapher,
was placed on trial Thursday after
noon at 4:3O O'Clock before Judge"
Fl. w. Arndt and jury in the com
mon pleas court room and found
guilty. The pass .ng of sentence has
been deferred.
The defendant was placed under
arrest by Sheriff E. w. Wilson and
served with copy of the indictment
as she emerged from the law library
in the court house, and was i'm
mediately arraigned, pleaded not
guilty and brought to trial
In the absence Of Judge c. S.
Turnbaugh, who was called as
witness for the prosecution, County
Commissioner Arndt filled the bench
while Clerk of Courts Snider acted
as prosecutor.
County Surveyor Peter Sheehan
was appointed by the court as de-
fense attorney, the defendant being
said to be without means to employ
legal counsel. Deputy Sheriff
Thomas Gracy served as clerk of
courts, B. u Davids acted as bailiff
and Miss Margaret Kirkwood as
court stenographer.
In stating the case before the jury,
which was composed of members OF
the Guernsey County Bar associa-
ton and county employees, "Prosecu-
tor Snider declared he expected to
prove the defendant guilty on the
grounds of temporary insanity"
Clerk Gracey called the witnesses
and administered the oath.
In examining the prospective jur-
srs the prosecution asked if any one
had heard any intimation of the
proposed matrimonial leap three
months prior to the tragedy Be-
cause of alleged defective hearing,
A. r. McCulloch was given a seat in
the jury box near the witness
stand
Judge C. E. Turnbaugh, Judge
Samuel Schlup, Deputy Sheriff Bird,
Sherman Tedrick, Stella Bliss
Wheeler, Florence Lowery and other
witnesses were called by the prose
cution to substantiate the charge
that defendant had been malicious in
her matrimonial deception.
Examination of Judge Schlup
brought out he had issued the IL
eense after nightfall on Nov. 5, and
he had paid for it because OF his
friendship for the accused. The de-
tense attempted to show the white
way lights were on at the time the
license was issued and deceit could
not be practiced with all entrances
to the temple OF justice well illumi-
mated
Attorneys r. r. Scott and James
fendant, showing the prosecution
witnesses had conspired and their
testimony was perjured.
The defendant took the stand IN
her own behalf and under a Cruel
ing cross examination made admls-
sions which led to the verdict OF
"guilty but not responsible. she
admitted she had secured her mar
riage license on the evening of Nov.
S, was married on Nov. 8, and had
made no announcement of her ap
preaching marriage.
hn n C
overruled all objections of counsel
to leading questions, directed the
jury to bring in the verdict.
The mock trial, arranged by the
court house family as a testimonial
of admiration for Mrs. Gardner, who
was united in marriage Nov. 6, prov
ed riot of fun and was replete
with originality. While the rules
of legal procedure were not enforced
strictly in the trial and the testi-
mony was somewhat preJudlced,
Mrs. Gardner entered into the spirit
of the occasion and enjoyed it i'm
mensely, together with county Off
cials, county employees, members of
the Guernsey County Bar associa-
tion and friends of the bride. II
was a complete surprise to Mrs.
Gardner.
Following the trial delightful
dinner, prepared by the women en-
ployes of the county, in Mrs. Gard
ner's honor, was served in the court
room.
The Cambridge Jeffersonian also
said: Mrs S. w. Gardner, Zanes-
vile, formerly, Miss Woodie Cham
bers, of this city, was honor guest
at party given Tuesday evening, at
the home of Mrs. F. NJ. Blincoe,
North Tenth street. The guests
were members of her bridge club.
The evening was devoted to bridge at
two tables, and prizes were award
ed Miss Odessa McCollum and Mrs.
Pearl Albaugh. Refreshments were
served at small tables, which were
decorated in green and white, and
centered with chrysanthemums in
green vases. Colonial corsages tied
with green tulle, were given as ia
vors. The honor guest was present
ed with a beautiful gift"
r. A. Taylor And Wife Return Home
Mr.. and Mrs. Elmer A. Taylor re-
turned to their home here Sunday,
after having been with their daugh-
ter Mrs. j. Ray Chandler and fam
lily of West Lebanon, Ind, for a
month, and Mr.. Taylor also having
been at Mayo Bros clinic tRo-