Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-10-27

G. r. X PRENTIsS IN The POLICE COURT.
I'm tue Police Court, Judge Smell, 10 day,
the case Of c. T. X. Prentiss, charged with
Indecent exposure TO school girls, came up.
EX-SENATOR PoNERoY WITNESS FOR DE-
E..seua,o, s. e kf Pomeroy for defence
testified that he had known defendant since
be was q hoy in Kansas, and while he was
emploseSa hem In sne Ws had s ON, naa
<ition Of marshal and chief of police at home,
and his character was excellent
OTHER TESTIMONY FOR DEFEyCB.
Mrs Annie Theaker testified that she re-
sides on II street; defendant In her sou-in-
law; he is Waterman in the Treasury; he
goes 10 his office at 230 p. m, and sometimes
ing the past two weeks he has had breakfast
at O'Clock, and during this time he has
worn light pants and a light-colored soft
hat; never wore side whiskers at all.
Cross examined-He sometimes wears an
overcoat and dark hat. but has not done so
recently-not for the last month. On the day
in question he was at home at 10 O'Clock;
left and returned again at 1l30 O'Clock. His
habits are very regular.
Willard Aver testified that he is a watch
man at The Treasury with defendant, and
boards at his house. Witness sleeps from u
TO 2 o'clock every day. Defendant has been
dressed rs he is now; light pants and hat
habit OF taking his overcoat-a tight one,
fitting close. AS far as he knew he was
gentleman; this is his reputation every
where.
Cross -examined.-Have seen him with
dark pants and hat-a high one, but not a
besve and had a weed on IL.
Captain Cobaugh, of the Treasury watch,
testified that Prentiss is employed As a
Waterman under him; he came highly re-
commended and has conducted himself as a
gentleman. sPrentlSS usually came on duty
about O'Clock.
Mr.. Baxter aud Mr. Thorn. of the Capitol
police testified TO the goCd character of the
accused.
A SIMILAR CHARGE
against the same party for making an indie
cent exposure of his person to school girls in
Mount Vernon Place, X between Sth and 9Th
streets, was taken up.
Several little girls testified to a man on
Monday making an indecent exposure be-
fore them, as they were on their wav to
school in the Congregational church. Ser
geant Perry testified that on Monday. be
tween i and O'Clock, some little girls came
up and said they had been insnited by some
man, who had gone down Sth street and he
went after him, the girls describing him as a
man dressed in brown overcoat, light pants,
and light hat. Near the corner of sth and |
streets saw the prisoner, who acted suspic-
1onsiy, and he arrested him.
lieutenant EcklOf testified that on Mon
day after the girls had come in and made
the complaint he detained them there until
the person was near enough to be identified
They became much excited when they saw
him, and after each of them had said that ne
Wss the man he allowed them to leave. Wit
ness informed lin of the charge, and he said
he could refer to Mr.. Murtagh and Judge
Edmunds. When witness asked his occupa-
that he was a watchman.
For the defendant, DIR. Root, of Kansas
was called, and testified to the good charac-
ter OF the accused, even from boyhOo1.
Mr.. Browne proposed to read a number of
letters from the governor of Kansas. but the
court ruled that il was unnecessary. as a
good character had been proved by living
witnesses.
THE ARGUMENT.
Mr.. Browne proceeded to argue that the
testimony OF the government was absurd
al hn nonVr Sc IL
cred, and that it was impossible for him TO
be guilty OF the charge; he was too good a
man for that.
Mr.. LipscOmb, for the government, made
some very pertinent remarks in reply as to
the demoraliZing influences of these acts.
THE SENTENCE.
The court imposed a fine of $50, or ninety
days In the workhouse. i'm one case. and SlO0
or ninety days In the other, remarking that
1t was not possible that those innocent
school girls would come up and testify as
they had unless they were sure that the man
bad been guilty.
An appeal was taken, and bonds fixed at
$500 in each case. Ex-senator POmeroy was
received as surety for his appearance.