Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 278, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 November 1912 — "WIFE BEATER, EH! FINE: FIFTY DOLLARS.” [ARTICLE]

"WIFE BEATER, EH! FINE: FIFTY DOLLARS.”

George Martin Pleaded Guilty and Judge Socked Stiff Flue On Him For Assault On Wife. George Martin, the Newland mail carrier who several weeks ago was arrested on an affidavit by Will Postill charging him with beating his wife, was given a big fine this Wednesday morning on his plea of guilty. The result of the action was somewhat of a surprise to all parties concerned. Deputy Prosecutor Frank Davis, of Brook, represented the state. Attorney Williams represented thA defendant. Davis had the goods on' Martin, for several were prepared to testify that they heard Mrs. Martin’s screams for help and that they found hei in a semi-conscious condition as a result of her husband’s attack. Others were ready to testify that after she was rescued and taken to the home of a neighbor she, had exhibited marks from his fingers on her throat. Mrs. Martin, since the assault, had adjusted matters with Martin and she was not willing to testify against him, but Martin, feeling sure that he would be convicted, thought he might escape lightly by a plea of “guilty.” He now knows differently. He had no more than uttered the words than Judge Hanley said, “Wife beating, huh! fifty dollars and casts. Next” No police judge ever disposed of a case with greater alacrity. Judge Hanley don’t have any sympathy with selfconfessed wife beaters and he uses no soft pedals in dealing with them. The fine and costs figured $65. Martin told a reporter for The Republican that he would either pay it or stay it, he did not know which. He declared that he was not guilty, but had pleaded that way because he knew a gang was trying to do him up and that he thought pleading guilty was the cheapest way out of it. His son, who as a sequal to Postill’s filing the affidavit, severely whipped Postill, and then Broke away from the constable and made his escape after being brought to town, is now working at corn shucking at the Ralph Lowman farm. His case was settled by a plea of guilty In Justice Bruner’s court, where he was fined $25. In all the escapade of Martin has cost him about SIOO. It is hoped this fine has the effect of bringing the unfortunate affair to a close.

And still the fine weather continues; each day seems to strive to be more glorious than the preceding one. This morning It was a little cloudy for a time, but the clouds soon disappeared and the bright warm sun has made a fine day. The forecast for tomorrow is for fair weather with still warmer temperature.

It is a difficult thing even for the professedly good who have made blunders to muster the courage to square them by acknowledging the mistake. Many a man of virtue has lacked the courage to admit his mistakes and make manly reparation for them. «You find these men often in the most unexpected places.

Albert G. Detch, who prior to 1905 had for some time been a Methodist minister, at which time he withdrew from the ministry and his membership from the church, has recently been having some trouble in Indianapolis, having been arrested charged with marrying people under age. He was the pastor of the M. E. church at Reynolds some years ago and is given credit there for having established the park at that place.

Ross Porter returned home last Friday from South Dakota, where he had remained for a visit and deer hunt with Bruce Porter after his mother, Mrs. Walter V. Porter, returned home. He accompanied Bruce’ to the Black Hills andTlruce got a deer the first day they were out. The snow then melted and Ross decided to come home but Bruce remained in the hills, awaiting another snow and the possibility of getting another deer. Ross did not bring any deer meat home with him. f

At Monticello Monday afternoon at 3:30 o’clock at the residence of Judge and Mrs. Truman F. Palmer, occurred the marriage of their daughter, Miss Hilda, to Mr. Jacob Erwin McCurdy. Their marriage Is a result of an acquaintance established while they were students at Indiana University. Miss Palmer has been teaching school for three or four years and Mr. McCurdy located after his graduation at San Mateo, Cal., where he has a good start in the practice of law. They left for that place Monday evening, passing through Rensselaer oh the Hoosier Limited.

Bates Tucker, some years ago a resident of Rensselaer, later an. enlisted man in the U. S. army, where he took a deep interest as a military* student and was able to pass the required examination for a commission as second lieutenant and who resigned after being promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant, is now professqr of military .science and tactics in the University of Porto Rico. The nnlversity is located at-Rio Piedras. Ip a letter dated Nov. 9th, containing a renewal of bis subscription, be writes: “I am sending you under separate cover a paper telling something of my work in Porto Rico, which may be of interest to my friends. Also In addition to my military work mentioned In the paper I am in charge of athletics In the university and And my work ihere very Interesting?’