Court of Common Pleas

The Western Spectator, May 2, 1812

The Court of Common Pleas, for Washington County, closed its April term on Wednesday week. A considerable number of Criminal cases occurred; among which were –

State vs. Richard Colliney & John Lambert.

The indictment was for feloniously taking the property of Amasa Wiswall and Ansel Keath.

The defendants met with Wiswall and Keath in passing down the Ohio, and in some of the severe weather in last winter they put up together at the house of Maes, in Belpre. On the night of __th January last, Lambert, alias Thomas, and Colliney carried out from Maes’s several trunks, belonging to Keath and Wiswall, and containing in Jewelry, Cash &c the value of between 2 and 3 thousand Dollars, the most of which they took out; after which they seized a skiff, gained Virginia shore and made off in the direction of Clarksburg. Wiswall and Keath issued handbills in which they offered $130 for the thieves and the return of the property. They were pursued and overtaken by Messrs. Cook & Darling, who bro’t them back, restored most of the goods & obtained the promised reward.

Lambert was sentenced to pay a fine of $250 and be whipped 39 lashes; and Colliney to a fine of $50 Dollars and to receive 15 lashes.

Jeptha Richa was indicted for horse-stealing – plead guilty and was sentences to be fined and receive fifty lashes.