Proceedings In The Courts

tmh10

Major
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Mar 2, 2012
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Pipestem,WV
From the Richmond Dispatch, 9/29/1862, p. 2, c. 5
PROCEEDINGS IN THE COURTS.

Mayor's Court, Sept. 27th, 1862.— The following cases were before the Mayor on Saturday:
John McDonald, for beating Elvira, the wife of his brother Richard, was required to give security for his good behavior. A complaint of the same nature was made against Richard McDonald by Bridget, wife of John, but it was dismissed.

Washington Logan, a free negro, and Dick, slave of Edmund Brown, charged by P. J. Archer with the theft of a pocket-book containing $300, from an open desk in his office, were remanded for trial on the second Monday in October.

Barney McNunn, John Brennan, and James Cavanagh, three Irishmen, from Camp Lee, were arrested and sent to prison for being drunk and fighting in the street.

John Cooke, charged with stealing a watch, two boxes of blacking, and a paper of ground ginger, from Catharine Haley, was remanded for further examination before the Court of Hustings on the 3d day of October.

Francis Haley, charged with being drunk, disorderly, and beating his wife, was required to give surety in the sum of $150 for good behavior, and to answer an indictment.

John Murphy was charged with keeping a disorderly house. Witnesses testified that the whole neighborhood, especially the patients in Dr. Higginbotham's Hospital, were annoyed by the cursing and swearing, and noisy brawls, between Murphy and his wife. Murphy said that he had not the least intention of disturbing the neighborhood, but was proud of the late victories our army had gained, and wished to celebrate them. He was required to give security for his future good behavior.

John McCarty, formerly a member of Wheat's battalion, but now a substitute, charged — Pendergrast with assisting Bill Lewis to garrote him and rob him of $4.50. The case was continued until Monday, and Pendergrast, who held a pistol to McCarty's head and threatened to kill him if he made an alarm, was remanded to jail.

Benj. Gottlieb, charged with stealing two hogs, of the value of $50, was committed to prison until Monday.

George Ellering, for allowing an offensive nuisance to remain on his lot, was fined $10.

The case of John Murray, for stabbing Michael Leary and Jas. McCormick, was continued for ten days.

The case of John Drew, charged with stealing $63, was also continued for ten days.

Hustings Court.—On Saturday the following cases were tried before Judge Lyons:

Roger Kenan, indicted for stealing money from J. S. Bonyer, was convicted and sent to the penitentiary for five years.

Dennis Lynch, indicted for stabbing and cutting a man named Shea, was acquitted.

Antonio Solice, indicted for stealing a quantity of bacon from W. K. Smith, was convicted and sent to the penitentiary for three years.
 
There seems to a quite a few problems with people drinking. I always enjoy reading local happening when I do Civil War research in newspapers. One can see that people back then were not so upright as were might hope.

Recently I was researching the first militia unit to form in my home town. Soon after forming they had a social event and ended it by marching to the river and tossing all their newly acquired rifle muskets off the bridge and into the river along with their cannon. The State Quartermaster was not amused. I wonder if the social event included drinking?
 
There seems to a quite a few problems with people drinking. I always enjoy reading local happening when I do Civil War research in newspapers. One can see that people back then were not so upright as were might hope.

Recently I was researching the first militia unit to form in my home town. Soon after forming they had a social event and ended it by marching to the river and tossing all their newly acquired rifle muskets off the bridge and into the river along with their cannon. The State Quartermaster was not amused. I wonder if the social event included drinking?
Bill, I can't say for sure but if I was chucking goverment property in the river, I would have had to have a couple of belts to steady me.
 
The company received the smallest amount of State Militia funds that year that was given out.
 
I'm delighted to see old law enforcement cases in newsprint during the Civil War as it just shows how some things never change. But, its an interesting case, reference to the McDonald men beating each their brother's wife. Could it been when the wife was pulling off the other brother. I don't know if the Clerk of the Court would have the access to the archives of this case but, I should hope so--as it would make an interesting case history.

I like the case of 3 years in the penitentiary for stealing a quantity of bacon that Antonio Solice was given. If all thieves were given such stiff penalties, today it might be a calmer America.

M. E. Wolf
 
I found the case of the wife beating McDonalds confusing. Is it that the brothers beat each others wives instead of their own?

One scenario could have been that John smacked his brother's wife Elvira around and got arrested for it. So John''s wife goes to the Lord High Sheriff and says that Brother Richard did the same thing to her. But her story is not very believable so her case against brother-in-law Richard gets dismissed, while John is still in trouble.
 
I'm delighted to see old law enforcement cases in newsprint during the Civil War as it just shows how some things never change. But, its an interesting case, reference to the McDonald men beating each their brother's wife. Could it been when the wife was pulling off the other brother. I don't know if the Clerk of the Court would have the access to the archives of this case but, I should hope so--as it would make an interesting case history.

I like the case of 3 years in the penitentiary for stealing a quantity of bacon that Antonio Solice was given. If all thieves were given such stiff penalties, today it might be a calmer America.

M. E. Wolf
I guess Antonio must have got rude with the judge to get the three years for stealing the bacon, as,
Benj. Gottlieb, charged with stealing two hogs, of the value of $50, was committed to prison until Monday. Benj got all the bacon and hams, and only had to be in prison till Monday.:smile coffee:
 

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