Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 35, Number 6, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 September 1902 — The Circuit Court. [ARTICLE]

The Circuit Court.

/ Wm. Jackson, of Wheatfiyld, product of one of the light weight indictments ofthe grand jury, plead gnilty to a plain drunk, indulged in at a picnic, and was fined $2 and costs. Everett Meyers, of Wtleatfield Tp., was indicted as an accessory before and after the faot to an assault with intent to commit murder. Some time-ago, during the tbrething season, and at a threshing job in the vicinity of Wheat field, or e Milo Michaels struck Benj. Nevil over the head with a pitchwork handle, rendering b.m unconscious for a long .time, and inflicting a severe injury. It was for his suppoped connection with this assault was indioted.. He plead guilty to the latter part of the charge, accessory after the fact, and was fined sls and ooste, or about $54 in all, b ing a light penalty for the offence charged. He explained that he assisted Michaels to get away, through personal friendship, and without knowledge that he was violating the law in so doing. Michaels, the principal, is understood to have absconded.

Still another state case from \\ heatfield, and everything seems to be from Wheatfield this term, was that of Mrs. Marina Klanska, charged with assault and battery. It was a case where the numerous witnesses had widely differing recollections cf the ciroumstances Some time ago Miss Clara Sherman, a neioe of Mrs. Klanska, came from Chicago to visit her. Without Mrs. Klanska’s knowledge and consent, she hired to Asa Stumph to nurse a sick daughter. About the third night of her vigils by the sick bed Mrs. Klanska went to Mr. Stumph’s house, late at night, found Miss Sherman asleep in a ohair, shook her violently and tried to induce her to go home with her. According to three witnesses Mrs. Klanska alsd tried to take the girl away by force, and according to three others, she did not do anything of the kind. Mr. Stumph also took a hand and put Mrs. Klanska out of his house. Mrs. Klanska was arrested for assault and battery on affidavit signed by Miss Sherman, The trial came before his honor, “Print” Robertson, editor of that great religious weekly of northern Jasper, the Wheatfield Telephone, and by the graoe of the voters of Wheatfield olerk of that town, and by virtue of that office, clothed with the powers and dignities of a justice of the peace, in and for his said town. It was a jury trial, and Mrs. Klanska was found guilty and fined one cent and oosts. She appealed to the oironit oourt, and on this appeal the oase waa tried, Tuesday. John Graves ably defended the oase and Prosecntor Sink made pretty nearly the speech of his life for the prosecution; but after being ont 10 minutes, the jury brought in a verdict of not gnilty, A strong point in her favor was a deposition from Miss Sherman, stating that Mrs. Klanska had not bnrt her any, and also that she signed the original affidavit nnder a misunderstanding of what she was signing. Still another Wheatfield oase waa that of Wo, B. McNeil, a young man indicted for ing some kind of a gambling devioe He plead gnilty and was fined 925 and costs.

And yet another Wheatfield man entangled by the grand jury’s drag-net is Wm. Bryant charged with pettit larceny. He plead not guilty and his trial is set for next week. There are said to be a whole lot more Wheatfield parties wanted bnt not to be found.

The grand jury adjourned Wednesday evening, after a session of ID days. A great many witnesses were examined, and no doubt many oiron instances and conditions oarefnlly investigated. The total number of indictments returned was 15. None of these, eo far as oan be learned, were for very serious offenses. Their report on the

poor farm and jail has been placed on record, both in the the auditor’s office. The poor farm is reported to be well kept in all respects, and in good sanitary condition, except the oloset needs cleaning and disinfecting. The heating apparatus at the jail is again sweepingly condemned, and also the plumbing, closets etc. They advise that the commissioners have a new heating apparatus installed, and “direct” that needed changes be made at once in plumbing, bath room, closets etc. The law gives the grand jury power to “direct” needed work like that to, be done, but unfortunately it gives them no means of ‘enforcing, said directions; and nothing can be done at the jail until the county council makes an appropriation, Wm W. Burns and Wm. Tanner, both well known citizens, were in-

dieted for disposing of mortgaged property; the same being a fresh outcropping of the now celebrated Halligan cstitle case, of a year or two ago. They eaoh gave bail in the sum of SIOO. The offence charged is only a misdemeanor in this state and punishable only by a fine and jail sentence. Judge T. F. Palmer will oome over from Monticello Friday to make up the issues in two oases he is to try; namely the Wm. E. Moore vs Rebecca Porter case, and the Newton Tp., road case of Makeever vs Blanken baker. The pettit jury has been excused until next Monday. George Striokfaden and Conrad Kellner, Rensselaer saloon keepers, were severally indioted for maintaining or permitting gambling on ! heir premises, the warrants having been served on Thursday morning; *nd they to make appearance before the court at 2 p, m. It is surmised that one or two others of a similar vocation, Were

indicted also, and will be served with the warrants laterGeorge Strickfaden and Conrad Kellner each plead gnilty, Thursday afternoon, to knowingly permitting gaming in the rear of their saloons, during the recent street carnival, and were fined $lO each and costs, which were paid.