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MURDER IN 2ND DEGRErRASCIS SKINNER AND MRS. BERRY FOUND GUILTY.ber^ of the bar skedaddled for the prisoner had no counsel and the court wanted • a lawyer to defend him, so Mr. Beam had to he his own lawyer and n very poor one he was too. Ir« his own defence he took the witness stand and tried to in*ke the jury believe that he “didn't know bean?,F\» aCOLlisSeveral Interesting Cases Trice and Disposed of—Smiles and Tears ofCriminal Court.THE criminal court for this cou-'y j convened on Monday last with Judge Brown and associate Judges Merritt and Barker on the bench. TV hen it remembered that a number of high grade crimes were charged against certain p'T-ions, it is net surprising that this term of tourt should excite an uuu»al degree of interest among the citizens of the county On the list was a case ol a woman for murdering her own child; a case ol man* slaughter where a man had killed his neighbor and relative in a dispute; a case of forgery where one of our prominent lawyers wa6 charged with forging signature and acknowledgment to a deed; with quite a number of ordinary cases render this most important term of criminal court held inthis county for years.The forenoon of Monday was consumed in receiving the returns of constables and the swearing of the constables recently* elected. At this time it was found that many of them had filed their bonds for only one year, while the law ot February 1889 made the term of all constables hereafter elected three years. The several collectors of the boroughs and townships were also qualified and their bonds approved and filed. In the afternoon the grand jury with S. E. Walker foreman, was sworn in and entered upon their duties.A case ot • urety ot the peace was heard by the court without a jury and the defendant S. D. Brecht, seemed highly elated to get oft' by paying the costs and a entering into a recognizance to keep the peace towards all of the citizens of the commonwealth and particularly the aubulrn haired woman who instigated the proocedingsagainst him.C. M. Spink, charged with breach of thecupled the court ii:l Friday morning when the jury gave a verdict of guilty against all of the defended?. The indictment against Robinson the colored man from North Warren for rape was quashed by the court, and the ease was again sent before the grand jury who final’y ignored the couldn’t write, was full of alcohol, and de- , bill. All the other cases have been settled moralized generally. But it was 110 go and the business of the court fijUhcd. and tl# jury finally found him guilty of ^ other GftAXD jury findings.the charge. . Commonwealth vs. Frank Eddy, forgeryOn Wednesday morning tbe case of j not a irue bil!- j| P. ancis Skinner was resumed and the pris-i Common wealth vs. Ohas. Martin, lar- ; S*•tier was tlsc first and most important wit- | Cen,,.v not A true b'^- . \ yjr?_. . i . i . II 1V1 lt;VTI It W ,T..Brisuna-sin own behalf. He denied having kicked Chapman at all and swore tbat he wore lubber shoes at the 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 his 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 foundanorber mate and her name is now Mrs.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 interert especially among the ladies. The court room was literally jammed full of people and nearly one-ha*f of the audience was comprised of women. Eevery part of the county was represented, Warren and Clarendon 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 lit yle thing near thg railroad track to freeze to death. Mrs. Berry who is a short, dark and repulsive looking woman did not manifest any preceptible embarrus-ment as the indictment was read to herCnmmoriwealth vs. Oren Ramsey, foriu-cation and bastardy, a true bill.Commonwealth vs. Jesse Bean, forgery, 8 count, 1st and 2nd count a true bill, Scl Count, not a true bill.Common wealth vs. Daniel Walker, as-saull, battery, etc., nol pros allowed.Commonwealth vs. Albert rfcult, fornication and bastard?, not guilty, but to pay costwarren coumrcr fair.Cl a rfoih:ingMrsA. .1I heS. AdoncalliMrslocuand to which she plead not guilty. Herattorney Mr. Yates was much more embarrassed than the prisoner, but this may be accounted for by the statement that maypeace, was put under bonds of $50, paid be considered his maiden effort at the bar. . . -» j No great difficulty was expereuced in se-the costs and was permitted to departA jury was called in the case of common^ wealth vs Louis Johnson, two indictments charging him with breaking into the D. A. V. P. depot at Garland and stealing therefrom a number of railroad tickets. After considerable parleying the defendant plead guilty and was remanded to await sentence.William Wright was theu arrianged for assult and battery with intent to corn mitt a rape upon an aged maiden residing in Warren. The prisoner had no attorney And the court couldn’t appoint one to defend him, for the moment the case came on they all skedaddled like a flbek of sheep— ji0 fee—do you see? The evidence was very direct and plain, the prisoner made a few remarks to the jury which didn’t help bis case a bit. After a brief charge from Judge Brown the jury retired and the dbuTt adjourned till 9 o’clock Tuesday morning- More business was done Monday than was ever accomplished the first day of -county court in Warren county before.Tuesday morning the verdict of the jury in the case of Wm. Wright was received as guilty, after which the case of Francis Skinner was called. He was charged with voluntary manslaughter in killing Orville Chapman in Freehold in December last. This being a case which must be tried in a court of Oyer and Terminer, the impan-nelling of a jury is a somewhat slow and tedious.process, as each juryman us be is calied is put upon his voir dire. This is an aneient process which puts a man upon his oath to find out if he knows anything, and if he does he is not fit for juryman, as decided three hundred years ago. District attorney Dunkle opened the case for the commonwealth and stated the facts of the case as he expected to prove them. The prisoner had some words with deceased in the barn of the latter in Freehold, on December last. From words came blows and it was claimed that Skinner kicked Chapman in the bowles from the effect of which he died on Monday morning at 4 o'clock.leering a jury as very iew had formed an opinion which would prevent 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 bad not returned a verdict.Quit a sensation ran through tbe 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 o’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, the 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 the prisoner’s conduct was peculiar and quite different form normal. Dr, Coulter from the state hospital for insane at North Warren testified that be had made a partial examination of the 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 his colleague Mr. Yates, district attorney Dunkle summed up for tbe 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 ]\n the couit room seems to be that the prisoner is at least a demented creature and that the extreme penalty of the law will not be in-To be Held in Wnrreu September 9, 10, 11 aifed 12, 1S90.At a meeting of the directors of the Warren county fair association held in Warren last Friday the following officers were elected:President—S. V. Davis.Treasurer—F. K. Russell.Superintendent of Grounds—F. A. Cogswell.Secretary—Willis Cowan.The second week of September was selected for the next fair, the dates beiug 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 very successful fair 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...............................—$ 23 47Ground privileges................................... 1024 25Gate receipts........................................... 4132 21Grand Stand........................................ 194 OSFeed sold.................... 37 80Races...................................................... 138 75County appropriation.............................. 100 00On Stock.................................................. 1038 38On note................................ 487 10On note................................................... 294 60elegOilIronboaisla:suffat t fainWfwetvisiandW*Lizof fafUanthewaiofSatTotal..............................................$7470 64PAID.Postage, printing and advertising...........$ 214 80Rent, taxes and insurance...................... 35i 50Bridge toll............................................... 200 00Police and Help....................................... 261 5uDrive wells and labor on ground............ 301 75Racing, amusements, bands....................12G9 25Salaries................................................. 231. 10Paid no esand interest........................... 2490 02Carpenters, lumber, hardware................ 144 93Foraae, feed and seed.............................. 217 04Spxmgling grounds................................. 6 00Siabliog^backs and hotel....................... 99 00Balance on hand.................................... 205 30Premiums paid....................................... 1678 34Total..............................................$7470 64Anriitnrc 1 F# K‘ OSSELL,Auditors | c.Ea DAyisThe secretary’s report also shows that 147 stockholders hold 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.picsol’Witnesses were called: W. N. Johnson flicted upou her and that she may be ae-swore that he saw the prisoner kick Chapman and doctor Noison swore that tbe injury had caused peritonitis which resulted in his death at tbe time stated.At the afternoon session of the court, the prisoner’s attorneys Messrs Allen Higgins made a successful application to continue the case till Wednesday morning on account of the absence of Skinner’s witnesses, the court didn’t like this idea of cutting a case right in two, ane plainly notified attorneys that this must not be taken for a precedent.The case of Jesse Bean, charged with endeavorihg to pass a forged check in Sheffield was taken up, and again the mem-quitted 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 tern), but were not arrested in trials at that time. Since the conclusion ot the murder trial the public interest in court matters has materially lessened.During the afternoon the jury in the case of Susan Berry came into court and rendered a verdict of guilty of murder in the second degree.A Sleep lug Car Horror.Corrt, Pa., Feb. 3.—Groans issuingfrom a berth in a sleeping car on the night express from Buffalo to Pittsburg 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. The 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 i.is left wrist and several other wounds. Blood covered him from head to foot. He was just able to talk. He said he moot 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 Corry he was taken to tbe Phoenix hotel. He became delirious. Physicians found twenty-five wounds ir-i all and gave no hope of his recovery. He recovered bis 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.9*Disappointed “ Sports.’Olean, March 3.—The iargcst cocking main held in the oil country was arranged to take place at Allegany last Saturday night. Sports from Buffalo. Jamestown, time for \ Corry, Warren and this city to tbe number of 200 and some fifty birds left here at a late hour on a special train. The sheriff 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 changedoUlnecionLiisi K co iwosetmtcaiofrefveig-he:bnen'ancolCO!hemernbelbweraengea 1 ifse:inOfncatwiisdcisgeTbe case against Martin and others oc- 1 hands.rethavseclsainLSTsumorP*tofothitbimmnca
Newspaper Details
Warren Ledger
Warren, Pennsylvania, US
Fri, Mar 07, 1890
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USA 01 Mar 2019
Other Publications Near Warren, Pennsylvania
Warren Morning Mirror
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