Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 March 1896 — JOHN GRAVES “NOT GUILTY.” [ARTICLE]

JOHN GRAVES “NOT GUILTY.”

r *. / , /. Other Circuit Court News. Unde Kain Galbraith, was tried for drunkenness. It waa a plain enough case, but still the jojy was unable to agree. • . ■ Marion Davis Was also tried for | being drank in a piblic place. But the affidavit charged being drunk on the street, and ibis the prosecuting witness would not swear to, so the defendant was acquitted. Chas. R. McCulley, a notorious character of Remington, came into the court room Monday, maudlin drank, and created such a disturbance that Judge Wiley fined him $lO and sentenced him to jail for 5 days for contempt of court. McCulley was the principal prosecuting witness in a number of state cases against young fellows in Remington, indicted for gambling and similar offenses, and which were set for trail Monday; bat on account of McCulley’s bad break they were continued to the June term; at which time if the boys are lucky, tbev can get ‘'Old Charley” bowled up again. The trial of John Graves, of Wheatfield, one of the most prominent citizof the “North End” began Tuesday, before Judge Palmer, of Monticeilo. Mr. Graves was charged with trying to bribe D. M. Worland, a juror In the case of Graves and McNeil, vs Wm, Holle. They sued Holle for S6OO, for agents commission for tolling Holle’s farm. Ths esse wss tried in January, and the evidence was all in and ths jury had gona to their room, but were afterwards allowed to separate, to get their dinners. It was daring this interval that the attempted bribery was alleged to have taken place. J Briefly stalled, Mr. Worland’s evideace wss that he went in company with W. C. Babcock, of Rensselaer, another juror, to Haas restaurant to get his dinner. While waiting for it to it to be served he heard a man at another table speak the name of Holle, tbe defendant in the ease then on

trial. Worland said that the man speaking was Graves. Worland arose, went to Graves and politely told him he was a juror in the case. Graves Mid “Oh 1 are yon,” or something like that, and desisted from talking abont the case. A fear minutes later, after Graves had finished his dinner, but before Worland and Babcock had been serred, Graves having gone into the front part of the restaurant beckoned to Worland, who went out to see what he wanted. Graves shook hands, asked Worland how he was, and said he was a party to the case on trial. Worland said he was instructed not to talk abont the case, and tamed to go. As he did so he felt a roll or “wad” in his hand, that felt like money. He walked back to

the table and showed the roll to Mr Babcock. It looked like money, bat he did not anroll it to be sure if it wm money, nor see how large a bill it was. A few minutes later, after eating his dinner, he met Graves near Goff’s restaurant) gave him back his roll and raid to him that if what he gave him was intended for a bribe that he (Graves) was after the wrong man. Also adding that he did not want to send Graves to the pen. Worland also testified that he did not tell Graves that the case wm decided; nor did Graves ray anything to him abont its being decided. W. C. Babcock testified as to Worland showing him the roll that looked like a paper money bill, at the table He did not see how large a bill it was. A number of other witnesses testified for the state, but their testimony was of no importents, whatever.

For the defence, Mr* Graves was the chief witness. His story was that he left the courtroom when the judge began his instructions. That when eating his dinner at Hans’s restaurant, when Worland tapped him on the shoulder and raid he was a juror in Graves vs Holle, he, (Graves,) was talking with a stranger, bat was not talking apout the lawsuit. That after he finished dinner he went ont on the street, met George Hoehn, a much re-

speeted citizen of Whealfleld, who told him that the jury had agreed upon the case. James Swisher and others were also with them, and talked about the case being decided, and wondered how large a judgment they had given Graves. The latter folly behoving, as he swears, that his case wm decided, went back to the restaurant, and beckoned for Worland and Babcock, who still sat at tbe table waiting for their dinner’syto come into tbe front part. Worland Trent out Graves “shook” with him, handed him a dollar, told him it was to pay for their dinner’s and to bay cigars with, added that he thanked him and then went ont; all the time believing that the case was decided in his favor, and that he was jost setting up a little treat to Worland and Babcock. He handed him the dollar openly, while several persons were in the room. When Worland gave back the money, Graves says he explained that he thought the case was decided, that he only meant it for a “treat” and told Worland to “go back and do his dnty.” George Hoehn testified that he did tell Graves that his OMe was decided, he having assumed that it was from seeing the jurors out on the street, separated. James Swisher also testified to being present when Hoehn told Graves the case was decided. Mr. Whittaker, of Wheatiield, WM in the room and saw Graves hand Worland the money, and explained it as being done in a seemingly open manner. The state recalled Mr. Worland who denied that Graves, when,giptog him the money, had explainad tipi it was meant for a “treat,” oy that Graves thanked him, as for a supposed favorable verdict. Worland also denied that Graves, on being given jieek his money, raid anything to Worland abont supposing that a verdict had been agreed on, or tolling him to go back and do his duty. Owing to the prominanoe of the accused the case has attracted much attention ; and especially in tha northern part of the county, whose citizens »ve attended the trial in gretAntap berß 1 11 Messrs. Thompson, Foltz and Donthit were the attorneys for the state; and Sellers, of Monticelio, Chilcote and Austin for tbe defence. 1 Tbe case went to the jnry at noon, yesterday, and at two o,clock they brought in a verdict of "not guilty.” is understood that the first ballot stood six for acquittal and six for conyictipn. The second 9to 3, the third 10 to 2 and the fourth (manias for “not guilty.”

Marri&ge licenses since test reported. j Odos Coan, ( Theodosa Aikins. On Monday evening March 30th. Rensselaer people will have the opportunity of hearing one of the most noted Concert Companies now before the public. The Smalley Grand Concert Co. (formerly the Schumann Quartet) have been secured for one vyenteg at EHis* Opera House. The company have been playing return dates to crowded houses in the principle cities of Indiana, and the manager has been indeed fortunate in securing them. It will be without a doubt the best musical entertainment ever given in Rensselaer. They oome under the anspioes of the Christian Endeavor Society.

We take pleasure in recommending the Smalley Grand Concert Co. (otherwise the Schuman Lady Quartette.) They are probably the finest in the state, and all patrons of the Lecture Course should hear them. It will be, without doubt one of the best musical entertainments ever given in Rensselaer. B. F. Fendig. Judson J. Hunt. J. F. Warren. G. E. Marshall. We desire to inform the public that we have now occupied our new shop in rear of I. .O. O. F. building and will be pleased to give estimates on houses, and all kinds of shop and job work in the carpenter line. Goo< work, at fair prices is our motto. A specialty of fine door and window screens. J 4tp Donnelly Bbos.