Milford chronicle., 1938-02-18
SUSSEX COURT
CLOSES SESSION
[COnfiaaed from Firsi Psssl

[COHtiaaef from First PSgel
II can't see how / can conscienti-
ously parole this man under the cir
cumstances," remarked Judge Chas,
S. Richards last Wednesday after
noon, when Isaac d. Short. End, put
up a strong plea in behalf of Frank
II. Benson, of Laurel, to have him
paroled to Justice of the Peace Ar
thur S. Hearn of that town, after
Benson had pleaded guilty to em-
bezzling about $4,000 from his em-
ployer, william John Oliver Baker,
trading as J. C. Baker, wholesale
grocerman.
Benson, who was a salesman,
started embezzling on or about No
vember "a, 1886, and It continued for
about a year before he was trapped.
, His method was to visit the mer-
chants to whom goods had been
sold, collect back bills and report
that they had not paid him. Later,
it Is said, he would apply part of the
money to their accounts. Finally. his
operations were investigated and It
was found that he had more than
$500 belonging to Baker. He hur-
riedly left Delaware and went to
Florida, where he was taken into
custody some time ago by State De-
tective Charles ElwOod wilkins.
Character witnesses were heard,
including some Of the most substan-
tlal citizens OF Laurel, all of whom
gave him a good reputation. Even
MIR. Baker took the stand In his be-
half and told Judge Richards that
he was willing to give him employ
ment but not In the same capacity.
Pressed for an answer il he did not
desire him to return to work for
him so that he might be reimbursed,
Mr.. Baker admitted that this was
one of the reasons. Judge Richards
stated that because Of the fact that
the embezzlement extended at var
ious times for a year and that Ben
son ran away, there was but little
cause for leniency. He was given a
six months prison sentence.
Ethel Jordan, cOlored, of SeafOrd,
charged with selling liquor on Sat
urday night of last week to Della
ware Liquor Commission officers
was convicted on Friday afternoon
of last week and was sentenced to
serve four months in the county
prison.
Her husband, Wilson Jordan. in
dicted for selling a half pint to a
"stoogie" of the Delaware Liquor
Commission on Friday night Of last |
week was acquitted by the jury with
in ten minutes after a verdict had !
been returned against his wife.
Raymond d. Chandler, living in
the Seventh District, near Frank
ford, charged with possession of |
liquor on January 20 with intent to |
sell Il, was fined $4,000 and costs.
Unable to pay the fine, he was inn
prisOned for one month. On Tuesday
of last week his wife, Mrs. Emma j.
Chandler, pleaded guilty TO selling
pint of liquor to the Delaware Iiq-
uor Commission officers and was
sentenced to serve six months in
prison.
william Breck, OF Seaford, con-
victed on a charge Of stealing kerO-
atAtE NbE ntOAa abN AAtAAA ~ N@N |
Sinclair Refining Company on Mo-
80. last year. was given a
year in prison. Breck, during the
trial, testified that officers choked
him and beat him unmercifully and
that he lost consciousness. When he
recovered, he admitted the theft, he
said, fearing that they would keep
on beating him. He endeayored to
establish an alibi.
Breck, Il was proven, had o crimi-
nal record, having been convicted
'or larceny, at Laurel. IN 1886. for
which he served two months In
prison.
Howard Stephens. employed by an
orchard concern, between George
own and Seaford. was acquitted OF !
/ charge Of pointing a pistol at Will
lam J. Peterson, at an Inn, near
.aurel. on January II.
Three cases Of desertlon and nom
support we're disposed OF In the
,ourt Of General Sessions last week.
Sylvester Smith. Of BridgeYille. was !
ldiudged guilty by a Jury FOR failing
o support his wife. Mrs. Margaret