Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 60, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 April 1898 — The Circuit Court. [ARTICLE]

The Circuit Court.

Quite u celebrated ease was tried by a jury Monday. It seems that in January the grand jury took cognizance of what is quite a common custom in Rensselaer and most other cities, of certain fashionable people of keeping "open house” on New Years day; and at which, alsc by quite a common custom, champagne, or other wines are served to the callers. The grand jury seemed to take the view that this practice was against the law of the state which prohibits the selling or giving away of any intoxicating liquor on any national or state holiday, and to test the matter they indicted the head of one the several families who observed the custom last New Years day. W. B. Austin was the man who received this not very desiraable New Years present. At the trial the defense took the grounds that the law against giving uway or selling liquor did not apply to what was done in the way of social hospitality, in the privacy of peoples own homes The case was hotly contested on that point, but the jury agreod on a verdict of guilty and assessed the penalty at a tine of SJO and costs. The case will be appealed at once. So far us we have ever heard it is the first conviction under similar circumstances, in the state. Louis Lehman, from the east part of the county was tried Tuesday for trespass, in going upon property which he had leased to a tenant. By an evident mistnke the jury brought in a verdict of guilty. Next morning the case wns tried again, before the court, and a verdict of not guilty, rendered. The defendant showed that he had a right, by agreement, tq go upon the property. “Farmers” I want your produce. Biggest prices, part cash,

part trade.

H. J. DEXTER.