The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1932-07-21
DUPLICATE CERTIFICATES
net 2 MEN SIS ON SCALPS
Said To Have Confessed Pre-
senting Same PeIts For BOun-
ty Payment Several Times
MAY IMPLICATE OTHERS

Having admitted that they had re-
ceived $14 each in one week from
the same pelts of animals upon which
the county pays a bounty, Walter
Fike, "a, and Edward Knox, rs, both
of near McHenry, and brothers-in-law,
are being held in the Garrett County
Jail on the charge of obtaining money
under false pretenses and perjury, and
are awaiting hearing before JUS
tice of the Peace.
Among the eight pelts of animals
which were passed off as weasels, was
found one of a chipmunk, turned in
side out and in such way that it re-
sembled weasel and passed the in
spection of a justice of the peace or
notary public, before whom the affi-
davits were made in order to secure
the certificates. A fox pelt was an
other pelt in the number and was said
to have been killed at least five
months ago, while the law states that
pelts must be presented within sixty
days after the animal is killed.
A question has been raised in the
States Attorneys office as to the va
lidity of an affidavit taken before
notary public in connection with the
bounty paid by the county for the de-
struction of certain wild animals and
there is also a question as to whether
or not the justice of the peace before
whom the affidavit was first made is
not liable for the recovery of fees be-
cause of his failure to so mark the
scalp or skin so as to prevent any sec
ond certificate being issued for the
same. If he had properly marked the
scalps there could not have been any
second certificate issued, according to
Fred. A. Thayer, attorney for the
County Commissioners
Fike has admitted to authorities
that there are number Of others i'm
plicated in the same business and in
designations which are being made by
county authorities are expected to
lead to more arrests within a few
days.
A bounty of fifty cents is paid for
each weasel pelt and $500 for each
fox. The Justice of the Peace or the
Notary Public before whom the aft
davit is made is supposed, according
to the provisions of the bounty law,
to mark the pelt by cutting holes
through the ear of the pelt.
Under Article IL, Section SGT of
the local code, it is provided that the
pelt must be taken before a Justice of
the Peace and there affidavit be made
as to the ownership, the date upon
which the animal was killed. But I'M
der Article 6S, Section 3, entitled "No-
tary Public" it states that notary
has the power of administering oaths
in any matter in which justice may
administer it, and with the same eff
feet.
The justice, however, must issue a
certificate and mark the pelt, and be-
cause of this added duty it is the opin-
ion of Attorney Thayer that a valid
certificate can only be issued by a
Justice of the Peace. An opinion to
this effect has been filed by the at
torney in the Office of the County
Commissioners.
The seven weasel pelts and one fox
pelt would bring a bounty of $3.50,
but with the chipmunk hide counted
as a weasel, as was done, the certifi-
Gates would be worth $500, and it
would have been necessary to present
them before a justice or notary five
times to have received the $28 which
the two men are being held have adj
mitted that they obtained during one
week. -.
Held In Jail
Cecil Wilburn was arrested Satur-'
day by Sheriff Haenftling charged
with being a party to the unlawful
killing of cow on the farm of Harri-
son Beachy near Bittinger. Wilburn
is being held in the County Jail and
will be given hearing in short
time. ...=...
n