Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 October 1903 — TAX-FERRETS AGAIN LOSE. [ARTICLE]

TAX-FERRETS AGAIN LOSE.

Forjythe Com I* Decided Against Them.— Other Coart Note*. The tax-ferrets who operated in this county about two years ago and who are now operating in pur neighboring county of Benton and various other counties, were again given a black-eye in the circuit court here a few days ago, when the Forsythe case was decided against them. This case was tried at the previous term of court, but the decision was witheld until the September term, when the court held in effect, that nothing was owed and there was therefore nothing to pay. This case was one where the ferrets had placed quite a sum in alleged omitted taxes against defendant on the tax duplicate. Defendant refused to pay and brought injunction proceedings to enjoin the treasurer from collecting same, and now the injunction is granted and made permanent. This is the third case the taxferrets have had in this county where people have refused to submit to a revaluation and re-assess-ment—the Nancy J. Shaw estate case, S. P. Thompson case, and now the Forsythe case—and it is a notable fact that the ferrets have lost every case. It is not likely that the prospective victims in other counties will submit to the stand-and-deliver tax-ferret policy in view of the failure to make any case stick here.

In the divorce case of Samuel Newman vs. Anna E. Newman, from Keener tp., defendant filed cross complaint and was granted a decree of divorce and SIOO alimony. W. B. Austin vs. Seth B. Moffitt; judgment for plaintiff, $136.66. Wiseman vs. Spry Lumber Co.; demurrer to third paragraph of complaint overruled and case continued to next term. Jennings & Schultz vs. Harry Gifford; judgment for plaintiff for SIOO. Karr vs. Thompson; judgment for $93.81. State vs. James Whitehead; larceny; jury returned verdict of not guilt. State vs. Frank Bricker, petit larceny; dismissed by prosecutor. State vs. Ed Cull, four cases, allowing minors to play pool; plea of gnilty and fine of $5 and costs assessed in two cases, other two cases nolled by prosecutor. State vs. Edward Griggs, assault and battery; continued for term.

Pennsular Stove Co. vs. O. A. Collins; judgment for plaintiff for $75. The case of Kriebaum et al vs. John V. Meyers et al, action for possesssion and quieting of title to 240 acres of land in Wheatfield tp., occupied all of Thursday and was still going on yesterday. The Kriebaumß now reside at Huntington, and are claiming title to said land by virtue of a deed that was found among the papers of their father’s estate, when same was administered upon. It seems that the elder Kreibaum was given said deed in 1871, by certain parties on condition that he assume certain debts of grantees, but the deed was never recorded, and his heirs knew nothing of it nntil after his death. The land was sold years ago for taxes and was bought by Alfred Thompson, who later sold it to Meyers Bros, of Wheatfield. The case is quite an interesting one.