Jasper County Democrat, Volume 16, Number 102, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 March 1914 — TANNER ACQUITTED BY JURY. [ARTICLE]

TANNER ACQUITTED BY JURY.

Barkley l'p. Man Held Not Guilty of \ oung Girl's Charges. The trial of Thomas Tanner, of Barkley ■ tp., on charges made byGladys Hurley Tannef, a young girl whom Mr. and Mrs. Tanner adopted a few years ago, came up in the Newton circuit court Tuesday, where the case was taken on change of venue. The evidence was completed \\ ednesday and the ease went to the jury that afternoon. A verdict was 4iot agreed to, however, until about 6: 30 o'clock Thursday morning, when an agreemeht of not—guilty was reached, it is rumored that the jury stood about evenly divided on the early ballots. This is a peculiar case, as the defendant has always borne a good reputation and people who have known him intimately all his life cannot believe for a moment that he would attempt such liberties with the girl whom he had adopted and who has lived as a member of Mr. Tanner's family for several years. She is a daughter of the late Theodore Hmrleyv of Barkley Tp., by one of his later marriages, and has drawn a pension as a soldier's orphan. Mr. Tanner ha*kept strict account of this i>ension money- and will turn it over to the proper person when someone is selected to handle it. Mr. Tanner desires to be relieved of both the care of the money as well as that of the girl, who has been living with the family of her halfbrother, Alex Hurley, since this trouble came up. ' On the other hand, the girl is of a quiet, timid nature, and it doesn’t seem could or would concoct suGh a story out of whole cloth. It is thought best by her friends that she go to some other locality where she will not be confronted with this trouble, and an effort will he made, it is said, to seouire a home for her outside Jasper county.