NEWS: Court News, Altoona Tribune, September 10, 1918, Blair County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja and Donna Thomas Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/blair/ _______________________________________________ THREE MONTHS FOR SHOOTING A FRIEND Joshua Morgan Pleads Guilty, Gromiller Asks His Release - Good Reputation Helps ONLY TWO DAYS COURT JUST NOW Joshua Morgan, the Hollidaysburg man who three weeks ago shot and wounded Englebert Gromiller at Allegheny and Juniata streets, at the opening of the fall term of argument court yesterday morning, pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to serve three months in the county jail, by Judge Thomas J. Baldrige. In presenting the case to the court, District Attorney Marion D. Patterson said that the principals in the shooting and William Goodman, the man who was first accused by Gromiller of doing the shooting, had been to Altoona together and were drinking. On way home, Morgan had a couple bottles of beer in his pockets and Gromiller took one of them. When alighting from the car, Morgan is said to have threatened to shoot his companion, whereupon he went home and procured a revolver and returned to the Law building on the steps on which Gromiller was sitting, and carried out his threat, shooting Gromiller twice, first through the right wrist and with the other shot, through the chest. The district attorney further said Gromiller's case was a very remarkable one, as the bullets, one of which passed through the upper part of his body, and the other through his wrist, did not cause serious wounds, so that he has been able to remain at his usual occupation as an attendant at the Blair County hospital. Gromiller asked that his assailant be let off easy, but Mr. Patterson believed some punishment should be administered. Morgan has always borne a good reputation and was never before the court before. He is employed as a watchman at the stone quarries of Jesse L. Hartman and is thus provided with a gun. In passing sentence the court said that under ordinary circumstances a term in the penitentiary should be imposed, but the fact that Morgan had never before been in court and had a good reputation, was in his favor and thus he was let off with a jail sentence. William Delozier pleaded guilty to the charge of desertion and non support preferred by his wife and was sentenced to pay her $28 per month. The wife has been supporting herself and two children by taking in washings. The husband is addicted to drinking but works steadily and makes good wages. George Ebersole was in court on the charge of driving an automobile while intoxicated. He agreed to submit provided he could escape without punishment in order to get into the army. The court would not consent to his going free of punishment and under the circumstances Ebersole declined to enter a plea of guilty and the case was continued to the October court. If in the meantime he can enter the army, the case will be adjusted. Homer P. Strunk, a Pittsburg division engineer, was before the court for non-support. The man was ordered to pay his wife $30 a month for two month and $35 thereafter. W. C. Bryner was in court on a similar charge. He and his wife have been married twenty years and the testimony showed that Bryner who as a freight brakeman, has been drinking much and abusing his wife. He was sentenced to pay his wife $35 per month, the wife agreeing to take him back, if after a few weeks she finds he is disposed to do right. Frank DeMart was before the court on the same charge, but he made serious charges against his wife and the court was informed he has instituted divorce proceedings against her. He was directed to pay her $16 monthly until the divorce case is decided. The argument list this week contains eighty-seven cases, but as a number of them are rules for the discharge of trust officers, it will not take long to dispose of them. Judge Baldrige announced that he will only sit Monday and Tuesday, the remainder of the cases to be taken up the week of September 30th. He will hold court during the remainder of the present week at Clearfield. Judge Singleton Bell, who has often assisted Judge Baldrige, is ill and the latter has agreed to go to his assistance this week. Motions and Petitions. Attorney A. J. Riley filed his report as master in the divorce case of Peter Buchhelt vs. Susan Buchhelt, recommending a decree in the case, separating the couple. Buchhelt is 61 years old and this was his third matrimonial venture. His first and second wives died and his third wife, who was Susan Montgomery, he married on May 5, 1916. The couple had a stormy matrimonial career, during the brief period they lived together as man and wife. John Woodcock filed his report as editor (sic) of the estate of Allen S. Tipten, late of Taylor township. There was $1,737.93 for distribution, including the cost of the audit, $59.23. J. F. Meck filed his report as master in the divorce case of William H. Dewees vs. Emily H. Dewees, recommending a decree divorcing the couple. They were married on Dec. 22, 1899, and have two children, aged 17 and 13. B. F. Warfel filed his report as master in the divorce case of Mary Jane Layson vs. Oliver William Layson, recommending a decree divorcing the couple. They were married March 9, 1892, and separated Aug. 30, 1916, desertion being the charge upon which the action was based. A rule was awarded for the discharge of Laura M. Smith, administratrix of Frank A. Smith, late of Williamsburg. A subpoena was awarded in the divorce case of Ninnie [sic] L. Oursler vs. Walter H. Oursler, desertion being the allegation of the libellant. A subpoena was awarded in the divorce case of Chance Gilbert Ernest vs. Mary Bowers Ernest. The bond of the Mountain City Trust company, guardian of Harry F. Snyder, was approved. A hearing will be held on Sept. 30 at 10 a.m., on the application for a guardian for Jacob Albert Wertz of Loop. Joseph Hemphill, committee of Eliza A. Hemphill, was authorized to join in deed to Margaret Lindsey. A rule was awarded to show cause why an allowance for alimony and counsel fees should not be made in the divorce case of William F. Demart vs. Synthia E. Demart. A subpoena was awarded in the divorce case of Eliza Kipe vs. Lewis Kipe, desertion being the allegation of the libellant. An alias subpoena was awarded in the divorce case of Irene Mary Kephart vs. Frank Kephart. A decree was made for the adoption of Paul Roupe by Rollin and Clara Grabill. A rule was awarded for the discharge of Calvin Piper, executor of George W. Aurandt. A decree was made for the adoption of Grace C. Patton by Ernest F. and Harriet Kopsch. A subpoena was awarded in the divorce case of Erma Jones vs. H. G. Jones, desertion and barbarous treatment being alleged by the libellant. The Lincoln Deposit and Trust company, guardian of John A. McBride, was authorized to join in with the father in the sale of real estate. A subpoena was awarded in the divorce case of Edith Dickel vs. Adam Dickel, desertion being the charge of the libellant. A subpoena was warded in the divorce case of Anna H. Smithmyer vs. John S. Smithmyer, cruel and barbarous treatment being alleged by the libellant. Return of sale of real estate in the estate of Marshall Plowman, late of Duncansville, by Levi Knott, administrator. A rule was awarded for the discharge of John G. Shope, assignee of William F. Walls. H. N. Nicodemus was authorized to pay money to minor children of O. D. Thompson, without appointment of a guardian. The bond of the Altoona Trust company, administrator of John Shultz was approved. Final decree in the application of Harry Sidebottom of Altoona to Harry Stewart was made by the court. T. P. Gheer and O. L. Weaver were appointed appraisers of the estate of Joseph W. Dorn, late of Bellwood. A citation was issued in the case of Edward Boes vs. John Lehle. A rule was awarded for the discharge of Louisa Peterson, administratrix of Henry Peterson. Report was filed in the inquisition proceedings in the alleged lunacy of Ellen Jane English. An alias subpoena was awarded in the divorce case of Melinda Knode vs. Robert Knode. An order was made for the sale of real estate in the estate of John Bellis, late of Altoona. A petition was presented to have sale set aside in the executions of a writ of fl. Fa. In a case of Dr. Samuel Gregory vs. Elijah B. F. Price. A subpoena was awarded in the divorce case of Irene Mary Edgar vs. Samuel John Edgar, desertion being alleged. A subpoena was awarded in the divorce case of Helen Mary Ebright vs. Reuben H. Ebright, desertion being alleged. A subpoena was awarded in the divorce case of Florence C. Dillon vs. Harry A. Dillon, desertion being the charge. Articles of incorporation were granted the Church of the Brethren at Williamsburg. John Woodcock filed his report as auditor of the estate of Lillie Maria Tucker. Altoona Tribune, Tuesday, September 10, 1918, page 7 THREE VAGRANTS WORK. Disposition of Men Caught in Haggerty's Barn Raid Made by Alderman Gorsuch. Andrew Williams, John McCormick, H. J. Anderson, and Lenkie McCoy, four of the vagrants apprehended by home defense police in the raid on Haggerty's barn, east of the city, Sunday morning, were haled before Alderman Gorsuch, Third ward, yesterday and all but Williams landed jobs. Anderson passed the Pennsy tests and obtained a position with the company. McCormick was sent to Loretto and McCoy to a local contractor. Williams was not found fit for any duty and he is being held as a common tramp. Altoona Tribune, Tuesday, September 10, 1918, page 10 ALDERMANIC NEWS. Cases Heard and Pending Before Magistrates of the City. David W. Colbert became obstreperous and disorderly in Alderman W. E. Crampsey's court last Friday evening when his wife, Mrs. Edna Colbert and Mrs. Bessie Holliday, were being given a hearing on the charge of disorderly conduct. He frequently butted in while witnesses were testifying and finally Alderman Crampsey committed him for contempt of court. He was being taken to the city prison and at the western end of the Ninth street bridge he ducked away from the officer and escaped. He was apprehended at work in the shops yesterday morning, was taken before the alderman and fined, his escapade costing him $9.36 Mrs. Lorena Keith, residing on Fourteenth street between Third and Fourth avenues, brought the charge against the two women. She alleged that they abused her by their actions, calling her ugly names and using profanity. Eight witnesses testified. They were judged guilty but the alderman remitted the fine imposed and let them off with a reprimand and paying the costs. Burch Curtis was arrested and haled before Alderman W. C. Shuff last evening on the charge of desertion and non-support, preferred by his wife, Myrtle Curtis. He was remanded to jail in default of $300 bail and held for court. Gilbert McCloskey was arrested yesterday on the charge of assault and battery on Joseph Sinise, this city, and will be given a hearing at 10 o'clock this morning by Alderman Gorsuch, Third ward. Dan Carea will be arraigned before Alderman Gorsuch today at 11 a. m. for defrauding a local boarding house keeper out of $85, representing boarding and lodging he obtained during the last several months. Altoona Tribune, Tuesday, September 10, 1918, page 10 MAYOR DISCHARGES EIGHT DISORDERLIES Cases Against Four Others Continued - Three Fighters Are Apprehended Eight East Side boys arrested Sunday evening for disorderly conduct at First avenue and Fifteenth street, were haled before Mayor Rhodes yesterday afternoon in police court and were discharged with a reprimand and warning about future conduct. Cases of four other lads arrested at Eighth avenue and Sixth street the same evening - John Doran, Peter Corcordicci, Tony Fusco and George Smith - were continued until today. One drunk was discharged and Helen Green, accused of street walking, was dismissed. Ralph Lindo, charged with larceny of a bicycle, was released when the charge was withdrawn by the prosecutor. Frank Dougas was fined and paid $23.50 for disorderly conduct and fighting at the Philadelphia restaurant at 2 p.m. yesterday. Seven witnesses appeared against him. Ray Amey and Fred Maysack were locked up at 5:30 p.m. for disorderly conduct and fighting at Eleventh avenue and Seventeenth street. The latter was released after leaving $15.80 security. Fred G. Schilling was arrested in the city yesterday afternoon at 12:30 on a telegraphic advice from Jefferson barracks, Mo. He is wanted by army authorities and a guard will be sent here for the man later in the week. John O'Neil, drunk and disorderly at Green avenue and Eleventh street, was locked up at 3 p.m. yesterday. Altoona Tribune, Tuesday, September 10, 1918, page 12