Davenport Democrat Davenport, Scott, Iowa May 5, 1870 District Court. The criminal case of State of Iowa vs Vanderzee occupied the attention of the court for the entire day. But a few witnesses were examined this morning - one or two on the part of the defense in way of proving up the general good reputation of the defendant and two or three in way of the rebuttal. The testimony of John Ackley, Esq. yesterday evening on the part of the defendant was entriely contradictory of that given by Mrs. Moore yesterday morning on the part of the prosecution. He stated positively that he read both note and mortgage to Mrs. M. and that she signed them both in his presence. As to furnishing Mr. Drake, the reporter for the Democrat, with certain items of informaton in December last, derogatory to the character of Vanderzee, the testimony was of an evasive character-positive in neither direction, though admitting that he furnished certain facts in the alleged libelous article-"provided they were facts". In the rebuttal Mr .Hubbell said that Mrs. Moore had applied to him for counsel; that they had met Mr. Ackley upon the street and asked him whether he read the mortgage to Mrs. Moore, and he replied he did not know whether he told her the substance of it or not, but that he thought he did that being his usual rule of business. The testimony of Mr. Drake was to the effect that Mr. Ackley had informed him as city editor of the Democrat, that he had a "good item" for him, and gave him (Drake) the particulars of the manner in which Vanderzee had obtained a note and mortgage from Mrs. Moore under false pretenses, that he told him of the enormity of the outrage and at the same time asked as a special favor that his name (Ackley's) be not mentioned in connection therewith. The testimony also went to show that Mr. Ackley also offered to write up the item setting forth with his own pen and ink the precious rascality of Vanderzee; and after it had been written and published assented to the truthfulness of same. The case went into the hands of the lawyers for argument at ten o'clock when Mr. Bills addressed the Jury for an hour; was followed by Mr. White on the part of the defence-then by Mr. Campbell-The case is in progress as we go to press. May 6, 1870 District Court The Case of Mr. Vanderzee, charged in the indictment with swindling Mrs. Moore, by making use of false pretenses, went to the Jury last evening at half past five, that body being instructed, providing there should be an agreement, to seal their verdict, and hand it to the Judge in the morning. Court was adjourned until 9 o'clock this morming. Upon opening court this morning, the verdict of guilty was announced. It appears the jury was out but a short time. The first ballot, it is said, stood 11 to 1 for a verdict of guilty and that one withheld his assent that he might read the instructions of the Court once more for a perfect understanding. Upon announcement of the verdict, Mr. Campbell, attorney for defendant, proved to set it aside. Upon this motion, no action has, as yet, been taken - the court proceeding to take up the civil docket. Though the case was ably conducted on both sides, yet that "mystery" that was declared by the chief witness to exist in the matter was not unravelled. Those conversant with the case in its several aspects will find no difficulty in solving the question to their own satisfaction and some day the press may have in its possession sufficient data to give the actual reasons that induced Wm Vanderzee to commit the crime of which he stands, this day, convicted. May 7, 1870 The Case of Mena Johnson The coroner's jury today returned a verdict of guilty of the charge of infanticide. A warrant was issued to the Sheriff to arrest the young woman and bring her before Justice Peters, but owing to her weak state is unable to be moved. This verdict will bring the case before the Grand Jury at its present session. District Court. The suit of Wm Vanderzee vs Richardson Bros, proprietors of the Democrat, brought some time in January last for libel, was this day withdrawn. Reconsidered It. Sometime in January last, Wm Vanderzee (colored) brought suit against us for libel-alleging that we had in some way banged up, bruised and lacerated his character to such an extent that it would require greenback poultice of some $5,000 to restore it to its usual health. Since that time he has been making a more critical exmination into the article supposed to be damaged, and now informs us through our attorneys in the case, Messrs. Parker and Twomey, that it was all a mistake, and that he withdraws his claim. He has done well. Cathy Joynt Labath Scott Co, IA USGenWeb Project http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/index.htm