Jasper County Democrat, Volume 12, Number 62, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 November 1909 — THE COURT HOUSE [ARTICLE]

THE COURT HOUSE

Items Picked Up About the County Capitol. Sheriff L. P. Shirer was in Wheatfield on business Monday. The marriage license buslneess is not starting off good again this month. Only two licenses have been issued thus far, and the month is half gone, too. Prospector Fred Longwell went over to Rensselaer Tuesday morning to attend the opening of the Jasper circuit court; w hich convened on that date. Fred will be likely to have at least one important case to try at this term if there is no change of venue or oher delay, that of the alleged bridge graft case. As far the bridge firms are concerned it is probably dog eat dog, but in the heat of battle there may be a few points slip out that concerns the work nearer home. This case will be watched with considerable interest by everyone.—Brook Reporter. —o— New suits filed: No. 7526. ChasHill vs. John A. Williams; suit for the alleged wrongful conversion of 584 bushels of corn about December 1, 1908. Demand SSOO. No. 7527. Z. A. Cox vs- John W. Horton and Ada I. Horton; foreclosure of mechanic’s lein. Demand s_6oo. No. 7528. Charles E. Osborne vs. Howard G. Gibbs, et al; foreclosure of mechanic’s lein on what is known "as the K. of P. block for painting, papering, etc- Demand $73.65. No. 7529. S. P. Thompson vs. F. M. Lakin; appeal from the commissioners’ court.

In the fees which the expert accountants found to be due from county officers here, past and present, in their report made to the county commissioners last week, the lower courts have held both ways in several instances, it is said. Some judges have held that they belong to the officer and some to the county, so that an officer don’t know hardly where he is at. The accountants say that according to recent higher court decisions these fees belong to the county. In paying them in an officer must pay them under protest if he hopes to recover them back should the courts decide they belong to himNo one can blame an officer for taking the fees that honestly belong to him under the law, but what is needed is some law that can be understood and some court decisions that ag?ee with each other. The lawyers who are sent to the legislature to enact our laws, it seems, never forget their profession, and always leave enough loopholes so it is necessary to hire attorneys and go into court and then wait for a supreme court decision at more expense before they know whether it is law or not.

Circuit court proceedings: The Joseph Nessius ditch case was taken up Monday and was still going on as we go to press. Charles G. Kessinger et al. vs. Harry P. Kessinger, et at; distribution ordered modified on receipt of widow; Demarcus interest ordered paid to Samuel Demarcus of Ordway, Colo. Chas. W. Coen, adm. vs. Evaline Randle, et al; executor files petition for re-appraisement, granted, and E. P. Honan and J. H. Chapman appointed appraisers, who report value |l,200; sale reported to WmE. Moore for $1,200 cash, which is confirmed and deed ordered. Samuel Hartsell vs. Samuel H. Hartsell; commissioner asks for reappraisement, which is granted and Ben Harris, B. Forsythe and E. C. English appointed appraisers. Nancy A. Carr vs. Eleanor MMedworth, et al.; sale of lands reported to J. B. and O. W. Lyons for $2,600 cash, sale confirmed and deed ordered. Heirs receive: Nancy Carr, $1,281.70; Eleanor M. Medworth, $702; Elmer, Oran, Everett and Leona O- Medworth each $144.92. Money of Oren, Everett and Leona Medworth to be paid to guardian. Court costs $6.60; commissioner $5; attorney $25. William B. Austin vs. Wm. S. DeArmond, et al; cause dismissed, costs paid. Otis ditch; Rompke Splkema, Supt. files final report,, showing charges,of $7,763.01, and credits the same. Supt. allowed $221.51; Foltz & Spitler S6O; M. B. Price, S2O; J. E. Alter, $24; F. E. Babcock, $11.50. S. H. Howe ditch; E. Gilmore allowed $2,604.05; M. B. Price $111; Nettie Price. $126; Mrs. Halleck, $1.50; A- Bicknell, $6; Isabel Luers

$3; Rensselaer Republican, $8.50; Monticello Herald, $6.70. " Wm. H. Tyler ditch; commissioner files report, showing charges of $3,785.35 and credits of $3,582.48. Commissioner allowed $134.30.