Davenport Democrat Davenport, Scott, Iowa Feb. 5, 1872 The Courts. District Court- Criminal Docket comes first for trial this term. There are twenty-two cases, none of which can be said to have any great public interest. State vs. White, for seduction; prosecuting witness having previously secured a pretty heavy verdict in money at civil suit, this criminal action was dismissed at defendant's cost. State vs. Koehler; assault with intent to commit great bodily injury. William Lorenz, the prosecuting witness invited defendant out to fight; a fair knock down under the rules of the P.R. Defendant was too much for Billy, and knives were produced; some little blood was shed, and the defeated pugilist brought suit. Plea of guilty; $20 and costs. State vs. Devore, the defendant charged with stealing a watch from J.J. Kane on trial by jury this afternoon. Ellis for State; Foster & Gabbert for defendant. Feb. 6, 1872 OLCUTT'S ARREST Rumored Arrest- Justice Thorington informs us that he learns that a telegram was received in the city to-day from Toledo, announcing the arrest of Olcutt and paramour, the supposed murderer of Ehrig, and that they were already being brought to this place. THE COURTS District Court- Case of State vs Devore, larceny of watch alleged to have been stolen from Kane's saloon in this city. No evidence appearing to corroborate the charge, the jury returning a verdict of "not guilty" without leaving their seats. State vs Thomas Atkinson; defendant having to into a spree with several others out on the Wapsie, last fall, made some mischief; afterwards went before a Justice, plead guilty and was fined. An aggrieved party had him arrested upon the same charge whereof he had already accused himself, and being brought before a Justice of this city was again fined- $10 and costs. On ground of previous adjudication, defendant appealed to Judge Richman's court, which sustained the findings of the inferior court, but it coming to the attention of the judge that the defendant had recently suffered serious loss by fire, rendering money very scarce with him, the fine was reduced to the nominal sum of $1. Ellis for State; J.W. Thompson for defendant. J.J. Andrews, law student from Lyons, appeared, and on motion of L.A. Ells, Esq., was turned over to Herman Block, and H.M. Martin, Esqs. to show cause why he should be admitted to practice in the District Court of the State. He was accordingly investigated, and it appearing to the satisfaction of eh committee that he had a good case, he admitted, accordingly, Mr. Andrews goes immediately to the southwestern part of the State, where lawyers are scarce and clients numerous, where he will hang out his sign. May he prosper according to his merits. Kober vs. Littler; for foreclosure; default taken. State vs. Schroeder & Heuer; defendants charged with buying property which they knew to be stolen-otherwise that they were on the "fence." It appears that a pair of worthless also residents of this city did steal-at least they have been found guilty of taking without leave-certain copper fixtures appertaining to a defunct distillery of one G.W. Haun, of the city of Lyons; that they bought the plunder to Davenport in a skiff, which they likewise appropriated to their own use, without the owner's consent; that they got a dray and took it to the store of defendants, who deal in rags and old junk generally, and sold it to them at regular trade prices; that some weeks thereafter the defendants shipped the copper to Chicago, where they had sold it. A few days after the shipments, Mr. Haun appeared at defendant's store, and not obtaining from them such information as was deemed perfectly satisfactory, brought suit against them. The defendants had been ready for trial several times, but had not been able to get it, so when the case was called in its order yesterday morning, and the persecuting witness failed to appear, as he had repeatedly done, the Court announced, that unless he did so appear to morrow (this) morning, the case would be disposed of. On opening the Court this morning Mr. Haun not having appeared, the case was dismissed, and the defendants and their witnesses departed in peace, Ellis, for State; Bills & Block for the defendants. State vs. Robert Melzer, Jonathan and Herman Day; action for maliciously burning straw, contrary to special statutes. It appears that Michael O'Dea, a Hickory Grove farmer, had a tract of 120 acres rented of Kent & Goldsbury, as agents; that O'Dea had sub-leased 40 acres to Day, one of the defendants (the other being his son's) for an advance price. As the O'Dea lease had nearly expired, Kent and Goldsbury informed defendant that he might as well take a lease from them at the price paid by O'Dea, and save the advance price, which he did. It also appears that during the last year of his lease O'Dea had left on some wheat land, scattered about, a quantity of straw, which was in the way of defendants when they came to plow. This they burned up, to get rid of. Hence the action. The other side claim that the straw was valuable; that it was about to be taken away, and that it was burned maliciously in the violation of a plain statute. Treat by jury. Taking testimony occupied but a short time, after which the jury promptly returned a verdict of "not guilty." It was one of those miserable sort of cases that rarely ever miss getting into Court when originally falling into the hands of a professional grand jury. Ellis for state; J.T. Lane for defense. State vs. Schwartz; dicharged on $1 fine and costs. State vs. Smith; larceny of watch; plea of guilty; sentence reserved. Ellis for State; Foster and Gabbert for defendant. State vs. Mary Heffron; assault with intent to commit injury; plea of guilty; sentence reserved. Cathy Joynt Labath Scott Co, IA USGenWeb Project http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/index.htm Iowa Old Press http://www.IowaOldPress.com/