Scott Co, Iowa Crime Files 
DISTRICT COURT- FEB. 1881

DISTRICT COURT.
    The case of the People vs. R.L. Johnson charged with larceny came up Thursday, being the first criminal cause. The indictment charges R.L. Johnson on the 5th day of July last with stealing "one silver watch of the value of $30, the property of W.F. Earhart." The jury in the case was composed of D. Lougher, Michael Dempsey, John Leuders, F. Grevsmuehl, Matthew Riehle, Isaac Cummings, H. Ruwe, George Birchard, Charles Koch, Henry Spink, James Jordan, and Hiram Truax. The evidence was all in at 4:30 o'clock and the District Attorney Benson made the opening argument. He was followed by J.Q. Wing for the defendant.
    In the case of James O'Brien who was charged with malicious mischief the Grand jury found no indictment. And the same want of action is noted in the case of George Anderson who was bound over for larceny.
    In the prolonged case of Andrew Blain vs. James L. Sharlow, the jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff for $89- 64 1/2 and found that the attachment was not wrongfully sued out.
    At the opening of court Friday morning the larceny case in which R.L. Johnson figures as defendant was continued. Geo. M. Boyd made his argument for Johnson, speaking about three hours. He was followed by Judge Benson for the State, and the case went to the jury at 10:30 o'clock.
    The case next called was that of the State vs. John Sandstrom, who was indicted for assault to commit murder. The defendant, Sandstrom, admitted when placed on the stand that he shot four times at T.W. Kerr, of Pleasant Valley, while the latter was at work. He swore that he did not do it to kill him but to scare him. The witness testified to Sandstrom's peaceable character except occasionally when under the influence of liquor. The case was submitted without argument. The verdict of the jury was guilty of "assault with intent to inflict great bodily injury,." The jury left the courtroom at 4 o'clock and agreed upon its verdict early Saturday morning.
    James Howard who was charged "with breaking and entering a building" was tried before the court. He waived a jury. The court found him to pay a fine of $100 and to be imprisoned in the county jail for the term of three months. On another indictment, that of "stealing from a building in the night time," Howard took the same course, and was fined $100, which he will board out at the Sheriff's hotel.
    Nelson Brown, who was indicted for larceny, having  been lodged in jail, his bail was exonerated by the Court.
    The jury in the case of State vs. Johnson reported that it was impossible for them to agree, and their discharge was ordered by the court.
    The case in the District Court of the State vs. John Martens was submitted on the Grand Jury evidence and a judgment was rendered of not guilty. This as before stated in THE GAZETTE is an instance of malicious prosecution, and Lieut. Martens means to show it as such. The Code of Iowa, Section No. 4068 says:  "If two or more persons conspire or confederate together with intent falsely, maliciously, to cause or procure another person to be indicted for an offense of which he is innocent, whenever such persons be so impeached, indicted, or prosecuted or not they shall be deemed guilty of a conspiracy thereof, and upon conviction shall be punished by imprisonment in the penitentiary not more than five (5) years or by fine not exceeding one thousand dollars nor less than one hundred dollars and imprisonment in the County jail not exceeding one year.

    This morning at the opening hour the civil docket will be taken up. The record is as follows:
CRIMINAL
    State of Iowa vs. Alfred Hall-assault with intent to murder. Trial to court and judgment of guilty of assault.
    State vs. Thomas Tyrrell and Alfred Hall- Robbery. Tried to court and judgment of not guilty as to Hall.
    State vs. Belle Walker- Keeping house of ill fame. Arraignment and plea of not guilty. Tried to court, jury being waived, and judgment of guilty.