Spainhower - slander
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday, 24 September 1897
Covington Republican: On the 26th of April, 1897, Rev. J. R. Spainhower was arrested on a charge of criminal libel, by Miss Debbie Schutt, charging him with having written two letters defamatory of her character, and dropping them in public places.
The case was set for trial at the April term, but owing to the illness of the defendant the case was postponed until September. Meantime at the request of Rev. Spainhower the church called a counsel to investigate the matter. The council exonerated Rev. Spainhower and recommended that Miss Schutt be excluded from the church.
At the beginning of the September term of court Spainhower’s trial was set for the 14th day of the month, but on Wednesday, the 8th, Lindley & Lewis, Spainhower’s lawyers, made a motion to quash the indictment and information, claiming it was illegal. The motion was argued before Judge Rabb and he sustained the motion.
After the consultation of the prosecuting attorney they decided not to renew the indictment at the present. On Friday, the 10th, two days later, by a motion of the prosecution (her lawyer) he was discharged.