Monday, April 23, 2018

John Presley Latimer 1861 - 1935






From New Castle News, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania September 4th, 1904 

Lost Her Cucumber and Got a Black Eye 

                John Latimer a farmer living near Ellwood is in trouble of a more or less serious nature because of a charge made by John Van Emans that the farmer took and carried away from his place cucumbers to the value of 50 cents.  Mrs. Della VanEmans has also made an information against Latimer, in which she charges assault and battery. 
                The VanEmans live on Latimer’s place, and their story is to the effect that he has without authority helped himself to the products of their toil whenever he felt so inclined.  They say that at one time they remonstrated with him because of this fact. And it was then that the alleged assault took place.  Mrs. Van VanEmans, when she came to New Castle Thursday morning was the processor of a highly ornamental black eye, which she says is a result of the assault said to have been committed by the defendant. 
The case will be held for hearing at an early date before Alderman Ranney. 

John Latimer Has Been Held To Court               14  September 1904
                The two cases involving an alleged larceny of cucumbers to the value of 50 cents and a  case of assault and battery in which Della and John VanEmans are complainants and John Latimer, defendant, came up for hearing before Alderman Ranny Wednesday evening.  The defendant was discharge on the larceny case, but held to court on the other.

Cost Were Divided Between the Parties              28  June 1905
                The case of the commonwealth vs. John Latimer of Wayne township, who was charged with assault and battery by Mrs. Della VanEmans was tried a jury in court Thursday afternoon and resulted in a verdict of not guilty.  The defendant, however was directed to pay three fours of the costs, the remaining fourth being placed on the proscentrix.  A.M. Graham assisted the district attorney in the trial of the case for the commonwealth and the defendant was represented by Robert K. Alken.
The trouble over which the prosecution was began happened last august.  The VanEmans and the Latimers were living on the same farm at the time and became engaged in a dispute over the division of some products.  On one occasion Latimer struck Mrs. VanEman a number of times, but claimed he did so only after she had assaulted him.  The jury naturally took the ground that both parties were in error as it shown by the verdict.

John Presley Latimer born 8 March 1861, married to Bessie Luella Jones 
father of 
Lyle Sylvester Latimer born 1903
father of
William H. Latimer

Oh Dear, John!
What on earth was going on here?  Sounds like a good old fashion spat with the neighbors. I've always believed that a woman cannot expect to strike a man with no consequences. So here is truth in action.  I can just picture Mrs. VanEman's shiner!  Thank goodness that this wonderful picture of you was not added to the newspaper.   It was bad enough that all that dirty laundry was aired years ago but now here it is relived and posted for all to see.  Don't worry,  I love your mischievous spirit and now understand where my boys get it from.  All this fuss over 50 cents worth of cucumbers.  What a hoot!  Sincerely, Your friend, Teri

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