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IRDER IN 2ND DEGREE(CIS SKINNER AND MRS. BERRY FOUND GUILTY.pal Interesting Cases Tried and .posed of—Smiles and Tears ofminal Court.'HE criminal court for this co\\‘y convened on Holiday Inst with e Brown and associate Judges Merritt Barker on the bench. When it :s **e-bered that a number of high grade *s were charged against certain p'T-it is not surprising that this term of ; should excite an uuuaal degree of in-L among the citizens of the county be list was a case oi a woman for lering her own child; a case of inan-;hter where a man had killed ins ueigh-,nd relative in a dispute; a case of for-where one of our prominent lawyers charged with forging signature and owledgtoent to a deed; with quite a ber of ordinary cases render this most riant term of criminal court held incounty for years.le forenoon of Monday was consumed ceiving the returns ot constables and wearing of the constables recently ed. At this time it was found that y of them had filed their bonds for one year, while the law ot February made the term o: all constables here-elected three years. The several colors of the boroughs and townships were qualified and their bonds approved and . In the afternoon the grand jury S. E. Walker foreman, was sworn in entered upon their duties, case ot • urety ot the peace was heard he court without a jury and the defen-, S. D. Brecht, seemed highly elated to )ff by paying the costs and $ entering a recognizance to keep the peace Lrds all of the citizens of the oommcro-(th and particularly the aubulrn haired inn who instigated the proocedings nsfc him.JL Spink, charged with breach of the *e, was put under Ouuds of §50, paid costs and was permitted to depart.. jury was called in the case of common-1th vs Louis Johnson, two indictments rging him with breaking into the D- A. fc P. depot at Garland and stealing •efrom a number of railroad tickets, er considerable parleying the defendant id guilty and was remanded to await ,ence.Villiam Wright was then arrianged for lit and battery with intent to committ ipe upon an aged maiden residing in irren. The prisoner had no attorney . the court couldn’t appoint one to de-3 him, for the moment the case came on y all skedaddled like a flbck of sheep— fee—do you see? The evidence was y direct and plain, the prisoner made :w remarks to the jury which didn't p bis case a bit. After a brief charge n Judge Brown the jury retired and cbuTt adjourned till 9 o’clock Tuesday rning. More business was done Monday n was ever accomplished the first day of nty court in Warren county before. ?uesday morning the verdict of the jury ;he case of Wm. Wright was received guilty, after which the case of Francis nner was called. He was charged with untary manslaughter in killing Orville apman in Freehold in December last, is being a case which must be tried in ourt of Oyer and Terminer, the impan-ling of a jury is a somewhat slow and ious-process, as each juryman us he is ied is put upon his voir dire. This is an rient process which puts a man upon his h to find out if he knows anything, and le does he is not fit for juryman, as deed three hundred years ago. District orney Dunkle opened the case for the nmonwealth and stated the facts of the e as he expected to prove them. The soner had some words with deceased in i Darn of the latter in Freehold, on Dec-.bor last. From words came blows and vas claimed that Skinner kicked Chap-,n in the bowles from the effect of which died on Monday morning at 4 o'clock, itnesses were called: W- N. Johnsonore that he saw the prisoner kick Chapin and doctor Neison swore that the in-y had caused peritonitis which resulted his death at the time stated.At the afternoon session of the court, the soner’s attorneys Messrs Allen Hig-is made a successful application to con-ue the case till Wednesday morning on ?ount of the absence of Skinner’s wit-sses, the court didn’t like this idea of eut-g a case right in two, ane plainly noti-d attorneys that this must not be tafcen r a precedent.I he case of Jesse Bean, charged with deavorihg to pass a forged check in effield was taken up, and again themem-ber^ of the bar skedaddled for the prisoner had no counsel and the court wanted • a lawyer to defend him, so Mr. Bean had to be his own lawyer and a very poor one be wus too. In his own defence he took the witness stand and tried to make the jury believe that be “didn’t know bean?/’ couldn’t write, was full of alcohol, and de- , moralized generally. But it was no go and tl# jury finally found him guilty of ^the charge.cupied the court ii:l Friday morning when the jury giive a verdict of guilty against all of the defendents. The indictment against Robinson the colored man from North “Warren for rape was quashed by the court, and the case was again sent before the grand jury who final1 y ignored the bill. All the other oases have been settled and the business of the court fiji-hed.OTHER GKAXl) JURY FINDINGS.Common ■wealth vs. Frank Eddy, forgeryOn ‘Wednesday morning tbe case of \ not a tru® bilLCommon wealth vs. Ohas. Martin, Jur-Fiancis Skinner was resumed and the prisoner was the first and most important wit- ) » 10t 11 tn*e bill.nesin own behalf. He denied having ' —™......kicked Chapman at all and swore that he Nvoroiubber shoes at tbe time. In fact be denied the whole story as told by Johnson, the principal witness for the prosecution, anu according to Skinner the deceased must have injured himself while endeavoring to chastise the prisoner. Upon bis cross-examination the prisoner maintained the same version of the story. Several witnesses were called n rebuttal and among them was the widow of Chapman, but she found widowhood so lonesome and unpleasant that she had already found another mate and her name is now Sirs.Carpenter.The case was given to the jury about 4 o’clock in the afternoon, and the case against Susan Berry was called. This is tbe trial that excited so much intererfc especially among the ladies. Tbe court room was literally jammed full of people and nearly one-ha Y of the audience was comprised of women. Eevery part of the county was represented, Warren and Clar-eudon contributing the largest delegations.The prisoner wao brought in and every e^e was upon her. She is charged with murdering her own child in January last by administering chloroform and leaving the helpless liule thing near tbg ruilroad track to freeze to death. Mrs. Berry who is a short, dark and repulsive looking woman did not manifest any preceptible embarnis-ment as the indictment was read to her and to which she plead not guilty. Her attorney Mr. Yates was much more embarrassed than the prisoner, but this may be accounted for by the statement that may bu considered his maiden effort at the bar.No great difficulty was expereuced in selecting a jury as very iew had formed an opinion which would prevect them from rendering a verdict according to the evidence. Several witnesses were sworn and the circumstances were detailed by which it is expected to convict the prisoner. It is understood that all of the evidence against Susan Berry is circumstantial. The case continued all the afternoon until adjournment of the court at 6 o’clock. The Skinner jury had not returned a verdict.Quit a sensation ran through the community last evening when it was announced that the grand jury had ignored the bill against H. J. Muse, the lawyer, and putting the cost upon Allen Higgins the attorneys who had instigated the charge of forgery against Mr. Muse.On Thursday morning the court convened promptly at 9 u’clock and after receiving the vereict in the Francis Skinner case, who was found guilty in manner and form as he stood indicted for voluntary man slaughter, tbe case of Susan Berry for murder was resumed. The defence was insanity and consequent irresponsibility.A sister of the prisoner was sworn who testified that the prisoner left her sister's house in Oil City on the afternoon of Saturday January 25 last, that tie prisoner’s conduct was peculiar and quite different form normal. Dr. Coulter from the state hospital for insane at North Warren testified that he had made a partial examination of tbe prisoner this morning and that pre-sumtive evidence of insanity existed. This closed the evidence and J. A. Schofield made a brief but very effective plea for the prisoner, followed by bis colleague Mr.Yrates, district attornev Dunkle summed* Vup for the prosecution and Judge Brown delivered a very fair and impartial charge to the jury, who soon retired to deliberate upon the case. While “awaiting the verdict” the general feeling Jin the couit room seems to be that tbe prisoner is at least a demented creature and that the extreme penalty of the law will not be inflicted upon her and that she may be acquitted on the ground of insanity.The case of Frank Martin, Michael Riely, James Davis and James O’Brien were arrianged for breaking into a P. E. railroad car in August last at Irvineton with intent to commit a burglary. These parties were indicted at the December term, but were not arrested inCiunmonwealth vs. Oren Ramsey, forin- \ •cation and bastardy, a true bill.Commonwealth vs. Jesse Bean, forgery,5 count, 1st and 2nd count a true bill, Scl count, not a true bill.Commonwealth vs. Daniel Walker, assault, battery, etc., nol pros allowed.Commonwealth vs. Albert Scott, fornication and bastardy, not guilty, but to p?»y costWARREN COUS TY FAIlt.To blt;* Held in Warreu September J), 10, 11 and 12, IS90.At a meeting of the directors of the Warren county fair association held in Warron last Friday the following officers were elected:President—S. V. Davis.Treasurer—F. K, Bussell.Superintendent of Grounds—F. A. Cogs-♦well.Secretary—Willis Cowan.The second week of September was se-lected for the next fair, the dates being September 9, 10, 11 and 12. The new directors intend to get the affairs of the association in good shape and will try to hold a verv successful lair next fall. auditor’s report.To the directors and stock holders of Warren county fair association, we submit the following report:RECEIVED.Balance last report...............................—8 23 47Ground privileges................................... 1024 25Gate receipts...........................................4132 21Grand Stand........................................ 194 OSFeed sold.......................................... 37 SORaces...................................................... 138 75County appropriation.............................. 100 00On Stock.................................................. 1038 38On note 48/ 10On note .......................................... 294 60Total..............................................87470 64PAID.Postage, printing and advertising 8 214 SORent, taxes and insurance...................... 35l 50Bridge toll............................................... 200 00Police and Help....................................... 261 5uDrive wells and labor on ground............ 101 75Racing, amusements, bands....................12G9 25Salaries................................................. 231 10Paid uo esand interest........................... 2400 02Carpenters, lumber, hardware................ 144 95Foraee, feed and seed.............................. 217 04Springling grounds................................. 6 00Siabli.jg,Jhaeks and hotel....................... 99 00Balance un hand.................................... 205 30Premiums paid....................................... 1676 34Total ..................................87470 64Aii/litnrc; I F* K* OSSELL,Auditors | Qeq s#The secretary’s report also shows that 147 stockholders bold paid-up certificates. There' is due on first and second assessments by 60 signers $650, and on second assessment by 38 signers $150. Due on note, §800.A Sleeping Car JHorror.Corry, Pa.f Feb. 8.—Groans issuingfrom a berth in a sleeping car on the night express from Buffalo to Fitts burg attracted the attention of the conductor about 12:30 yesterday morning near Corry. Pulling back the curtains of the berth a horrible sight met his gaze. Tbe occupant lay nearly nude, with, his throat cut from ear to ear, an ugly looking slash in his abdomen, three cuts across the inside of iis left wrist and several other wounds. Blood covered him from head to foot. He was just able to talk. He said he ment to end his life, as he did not want to live on account of business troubles. His name was Samuel S. Mason of 197 Fourth Avenue, Pittsburg, and was on his way home from Buffalo. On arrival at Uorry he was taken t* the Phccnix hotel. He became delirious. Physicians found twenty-five wounds ia all and gave no hope of his recovery. He recovered his seuses in a few hours, asked where he was and what he had been doing, and being told broke down completely and asked for a minister. He said he didn’t want to die and spent some time in prayer with Elder Warren of the Methodist church. Later—Mason seems to be improving.Disappointed “ Sports.'Glean, March 3.—The iargest cocking main held in the oil country was arranged to take place at Allegany last Saturdaynight. Sports Irom Buffalo. Jamestown,time for | Oorry, Warren and this city to the num-trials at that time. Since the conclusion ot i ber of 200 and some fifty birds left here atthe murder trial the public interest in court j a Jate hour on a special train. The sheriffmatters has materially lessened.During the afternoon the jury in the case of Susan Berry came into court and Tendered a verdict of guilty of murder inthe second degree.and bis deputies were at Allegany and the sports were compelled to return in a sad frame of mind. Several battles were fought early in the morning in a hotel garret and considerable money changedTbs ease against Martin and others oc- I hands.
Newspaper Details
Warren Ledger
Warren, Pennsylvania, US
Fri, Mar 07, 1890
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USA 01 Mar 2019
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