Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 21, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 November 1899 — The Circuit Court. [ARTICLE]

The Circuit Court.

Fire Damage Case Settled.--Editor Babcock’s Printing Press Held to to Pay His Baek Taxes. The trial of the third and last of the three big fire damage cases from Lake county, that of Charles Carmon and brother against the C. I. & L. (Monon) Railway, was set to begin last Saturday, and the members of the struck jury drawn to try the case, were on hand At the last moment however it was announced that the parties had made a settlement, and the case was dismissed, at the plaintiff’s costs. It is reliably stated that the railroad pays the plaintiff about $2 per acre, for the land burned over which was about 800 acres in extent. The case known officially as Mary E. Babcock, vs. Jesse C. Gwin, treasurer of Jasper County, was tried Saturday. About a month ago a deputy county treasurer levied on a job press in the office of the Jasper County Democrat, to collect $24.15 taxes on the duplicate for the year 1898, against Frank E. Babcock, the editor. Mary E. Babcock, his wife replevined the press, claiming that she owned the entire outfit. Justice Churchill decided in her favor, and the treasurer appealed to the circuit court. The evidence showed that the plaintiff never had any money or property to buy the office and press with, except such as was given her by Mr. Babcock, and the jury found in favor of the defendant Gwin, in the following words. “Mary E. Babcock vs Jesse C. Gwin. We, the jury find for the defendant, that he is entitled to the return of the property described in the complaint, towit: One job printing press on the value of sixty dollars, to be levied upon and sold to pay the sum of $2415, of taxes due from Francis E. Babcock for the year 1898. George W. Foulks, Foreman.” The jury was dismissed for the term, Saturday evening; and will not be called again The court adjourned until Friday, of this week.