Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 37, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 February 1905 — Billy Frey Was Acquitted: [ARTICLE]

Billy Frey Was Acquitted:

Wm Frey, bartender ia A. Rosen banm’s saloon was tried Monday afternoon, before Sqaire Thornton and a jury, on the charge of selling liquor to Frank Ellis, a minor, and s~>n of Joe Ellis, the prosecuting witness. The oironmstanoos of the case have been already related, in the former oaae egainet Mr. Rosenjanm. Joe testified that after dark on Jan. 26th he watobed his son go from the opera house to Rosey’s place, and looking through the side door saw him buy beer twice of Frey and once of Rosey. He further embellished his testimony by stating that he stood down by A. F. Long’s wood shed and looking up in the opera bouse saw, ou two occasions, Grover Mackey, and young Gangloff give Frank 15 oents apieoe. or 30 oents between them. Anyhow it “looked like 30 cents” to fchim. He tes'ified further that he went up iota the opera house and gave Grover to understand that he was “on to bis racket.” On cress examination, however he said he did not go in or spaak to the boys but only rattled the door. Frank, the boy, testified that he bought beer twice before supper and four times after, beiug five times of Frey and once cf Rosey. Grover Mackey testified that they sent Frank out numerously after the beer, and that he came back with the giods, but he did not know where he bought it. For the defense Mr. Frey Ustifithat he did not sell to the Eilis boy any beer at all that day Also that at 7 o’clock he went to Keister’s restaurant and ordered supper, being there about an hour and only went back to the saloon long enough to sell one round of drinks to a paity of four, and then went to a show at the opera house. Mrs. Keister, testified to Billy’s being at her place about an hour that evening. C. B. Steward testified no one could st e the end of the bar, from the window in the side door, and Unole A 1 Oatt testified that he just sat by a table reading a pap?r and siw nothing cr nob.idy. The jury was out about 15 minutes, and agree! on a verdict of not guilty. They are said to ha?e stood nine for acquittal to three for conviction, on the first ballot. Deputy Prosajutor Loopold proseouttd the oase and W. H. Parkinson and A. Halleok defended.