The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1873-08-29
THy CosAsr-OxroBr LIBEL SuIr.-

THN CoNANr-OxroBr LIBEL SUR
The interest in this suit continued
undated all day yesterday, and the
Municipal Court room was crowded.
Most Of the morning was expended IN
the effort on the part of the defence to
rule'o the testimony Of N. Edwards
jr. The Court refused to grant the mos
ton and the testimony for the defence
was proceeded with.
George W. Robinson in his testimony
said, Conant is as much OF a gambler
as ever was. l played with him at
the Sprigg House for money. He never
got anything from me, nor did he ever
require me to pay him anything. He
threatened to shut me up if we didn't
divide. When l first started the house
| asked Conant il shouldn't let his
deputies in. Harris demanded one
half, but 1 always kept what won.
never told Oxtoby what he said 1 did.
In most OF the cities where gambling
houses are permitted the chief OF police
usually gets half Of the winnings. l
never said I won $1,000 and gave
Conant half.
Quite a number Of other witnesses
were examined in Mr.. Oxtoby's behalf
but little or nothing of Importance was
ELECTED.
After the defence rested their case,
the plaintiff called Captain Conant to
the stand We append his evidence:
Captain Conaat S,oorn.-Am plaintiff
in this suit was City Sergeant up
the latter part OF January; have known
Robinson for ten years, played cards
with George Robinson in 1867 or 1868,
never have played game of any kind
or had an interest in any game while
in office. Inever was in Robinson's
gambling rooms; heard that he was rum
ming faro bank and went to him and
told him that he must close it up, and
he told me that he heard that | was 60
ing to close him up and he had quit.
He then went away and / did not see
him for some time; | never sent Lee
Harris to him for any purpose. new
er received any share or portion OF any
game carried on by them or any one
else during my continuance in Office.
When he opened his place again | was
not aware of it; l am OF the opinion
that never spoke to him either OF Mr..
Hornbrook or Mrs Dunlap,
Cross E.ram;nea-I do not remember
when it was l told Robinson to close.
I do not remember whether Lee Har-
ris was in town or not. / only knew
about Robinson keeping a gambling
house from rumors that were brought
to me. l never was in it myself. L
had no Information in regard 10 any
other gambling house. l did not sus-
pect at that time Of the existence OF
any other house of that kind in the
city. di ,,not close Robinson. l told
him he must quit and be did so and
left the city. Knew OF the Club
Room" and have seen cards played
there for money. I never thought there
was any gambling going on there l
found out that the playing there was
not illegal.
Direct Resumed-I never saw more
than S20lost or won at the Club House ;
it was not a place OF public resort.
Cross Eramincd-I do not remember
how much was lost in games at the
Sprigg House. 1t could not be great
deal; the games played were more for
amusement than anything else. | do
not think | am a gambler, nor were any
of the citizens l have played with. l
work tor my living.
About four o'clock George o. Daven.
port opened the argument for the PLAIN
tiff. He was followed by Mr.. Cowden
for the defence.
The Court adjourned until 10 o'clock
this morning, when the case will be
closed for the plaintiff by J. H. Good,
ESQ, and for the defence by E. G. era.
craft, and the case given to the jury.