Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 January 1914 — TOM TANNER IN JAIL; FACES SERIOUS CHARGE [ARTICLE]

TOM TANNER IN JAIL; FACES SERIOUS CHARGE

Well Known Huxter From Near Gifford Alleged to Rave Assaulted Foster Daughter. 1 Tom Tanner, said to be 65 years of age, and well known as a (huckster, who traveled over the county buying eggs and poultry, is in jail, having been unable to give bond since his incarceration last Saturday afternoon on the charge of criminal assault. Tire charge is preferred by Gladys Blanche (Hurley) Tanner, who was 15 years of age on Dec. 3rd, and who was adopted by Tanner and his wife when only 8 years of age. She is a daughter of Theodore Hurley, once a well known resident of Blackford, and a half sister of Alex. Hurley, a substantial fanner of Barkley township. The arrest was made last Friday after several of Tanner's neighbors learned of the little girl’s charges. The,case was tried before Squire Bruner, and after the little girl bad reluctantly and modestly detailed a story of shameful treatment, Justice Bruner held that the charges in the complaint had not been sustained and dismissed the defendant. A protest followed that for a time threatened to result in some of Tanner’s neighbors taking the ease into their own hands. The case was heard in the jury room in the rear of the main court room, in order not to embarrass the little by relating the story in the presence of so many. She was so frightened as it was that it took a long time to get her to make a statement and when she did, the details of the indignities to which she had been subjected touched the hearts of those who heard her* story. Justiee Bruner later explained that he was of the opinion that to make!the complaint good the letter of the complaint find to be proven. He would (have reversed his decision a moment after he had made it, he said, if he could have done so. Pandemonium reigned in the small court room for a short time. Several who had been excluded from the room, broke in at the west door, loud talking occurred, and there was a rush by several for Tanner. Prosecutor Longwell instructed Deputy Dean to prepare a new affidavit and file it before Squire Irwin. He then mounted the table and was starring to make a speech to quiet the crowd when the demonstration came to a close by the assurance that Tanner was to be rearrested. Attorney Leopold, who was defending Tanner, was as much surprised as any person there at the decision of Justice Bruner and be stated that he would waive another hearing and make no pfotest at the binding of Tanner over. Squire Irwin appeared and placed his bond at $2,500 and this ihe was unable to give and he was sent to jaiL He wis still in jail at 2 o’clock this Monday afternoon, but Mrs. Tanner was reported to be on her way to town and it is together they have sufficient property to procure his release. The Republican trusts that the moral balance of this community is not at such a low plane that persons guilty of heinous crimes of this nature will go unpunished and it seems to us totally impossible that a child could conceive a story so horrible and . relate it against her foster parent. ThA to lease of persons charged with such crimes will result in a lack of confidence in the justiee of the etatlp that may terfminate in other means of punishment and it is probably fortunate for Tanner that the second affidavit was filed against him.