From the Morgan County Gazette, Martinsville (Morgan County), Indiana.
May 19, 1855, Vol. VI, No. 2, page 3.

Morgan Circuit Court

The Circuit Court of this county opened on Monday last, the 13th instant, 
Hon. Jas. HUGHES presiding Judge. The Grand Jury was empanelled, and 
an eloquent and lucid charge given by the presiding officer.

The first case before the Court was that of Henry M. RICHARDSON, who 
was tried for grand larceny, and sentenced to the State Prison for two years. 
In consequence of the prisoner being of tender years, considerable sympathy 
was manifested in his behalf, and it is generally believed that he will be pardoned.

Thomas DOUGHERTY, charged with a similar offence, obtained a change of 
venue to Johnson county.

The case of Lemuel GREENWOOD, charged with shooting Morgan TACKETT, 
some time in September last, was 
progressing at the time we went to press. 
Considerable time has already been consumed in hearing this case. 
We will 
give the result in our next number.

An indictment was found against John LAMB, who has been confined in the 
county jail during the winter, on a charge of burglary. The case will probably 
be tried during the term.

The Grand Jury sat but three days, thus affording ample evidence of the 
progress of good morals in our community.


From the Morgan County Gazette, Martinsville (Morgan County), Indiana.
May 26, 1855, Vol. VI, No. 3, page 3.

Morgan Circuit Court

The Morgan Circuit Court adjourned on Thursday last.

The case of Lemuel GREENWOOD, which was under trial when we went 
to press last week, was determined, the jury finding him guilty of a simple 
assault and battery, and assessing a fine of $35 and costs against him, 
which was promptly replevied.

A damage suit, which was expected to occupy 
considerable time, and give 
rise to considerable gossip, between the same parties, 
was compromised, 
and it is hoped that this will be an end to this unfortunate 
transaction.

We understand that the parties, before the difficulty took place out of which 
these suits originated, were good friends; if so, their experience of the 
practical beauties of the law-suits should induce them to make all 
reasonable efforts to bring about a reconciliation.

John LAMB, indicted at the present term for breaking open Hardwick’s notion 
store at Centreton, was convicted of grand larceny, and sentenced to the 
State Prison for two years. This should prove a warning to all having a 
disposition to offend in like cases. LAMB was quite young – 
just verging on manhood, had many friends, and had he hearkened to the 
voice of wisdom, 
and lived up to the good rule: - 
“Honesty is the best policy,” might now have 
been a useful member of society.

The case of FRENCH against CRAWFORD, being a slander suit, which was 
tried at the last term and not decided, the jury disagreeing, was determined 
by a second jury, after being out some ten or twelve hours, by a verdict 
and judgment for FRENCH of one cent! Verily, a slander suit seems to us 
to be a bad means for making or saving character.

Some three or four divorces were granted, and about the usual amount 
of other ordinary business transacted.

The term is spoken of as a very pleasant one – lawyers, parties, and officers having avoided all offensive conduct