The daily gazette., 1877-07-12
PETER SPAHN'S FATE.
AND LOTS OF BAIL, FOR KEEPING
A DIsREPUTABLE DEN.


A DIsREPUTABLE DEN.
Peter SPAIN, the proprietor of we'll
known and notorious den on West Sec
ond street, between Monroe and Adams,
was up before Esquire Frazer, last even
ing, and his trial drew a crowd that
filled the Squire's spacious Office TO
ovei flowing. Most of the audience were
attracted by a curiosity to hear what
disclosures the evidence would make,
hut few came in fear and trembling
to ascertain if their visits to Peters in
iquitous den would be exposed by the
illnesses.
Peters Indictment was IN four counts,
viz: Keeping q disorderly house; keeping
u house of ill fame and assignation;
selling liquor on Sunday; and threaten
ing bodily harm to Peter Spinler.
The evidence in the hearing of the
first two charges, WAS of the most con-
vincing character, so much 80 that after
receiving the testimony Of four out of
the twelve witnes ses summoned, the
Squire declined to swear the others, as
it would only necessitate a base repeti-
tion of most vile and disgusting reci-
tai. The evidence proved beyond doubt
that Spahn's den, was the resort of the
most vile and dissolute men aud women
of the city, who nightly assembled there
| TO engage in lewd and beastly orgies.
Their brutal oaths and indecent conver-
sation were heard day and night, and
resi- ectable residents of the neighb
hood were compelled to keep their doors
and windows constantly closed, in order
| to prevent these foul expressions from
| defiling their ears. Men and women
frequently ma ade disgusting public exhi-
bitions of themselves from the yard and
1 e Il
| the place was proved to be the most fes-
terlng den of la scivious iniquity, for the
hedsJIy indulgence of brutal passions
and depraved instincts that ever dis
sraeed this city.
One of the witnesses, Peter Spinler,
testified that for eight years he was a
member of the metropolitan police force
of Baltimore, and during that time wa.
conversant with all the dens of Fel''
Point and other disreputable localities o1
the monumental city, These were con
sidered the lowest resorts of the country
but in the opinion of the witness they
were almost respectable in comparison
with the depths of iniQuity which
Spahns place displayed.
| When Spinler concluded his testimony
SPAIN started to leave, saying "Dat man
knows too much for me-" He was sum,
marily recalled by the Squire, who in
formed him he was not at liberty to re-
tire.
After hearing the evidence the Squire
upon imposing the penalty, told Spahr
that tifthe respectable people of his ne gh
borhood but did their duty they woulC
put stop to his evil place within the
next twenty-four hours. He was alsC
surprised to learn that the city police
were aware of the character of this plac,
and quietly winked at it, instead of en-
deavoring to suppress it as a vile nui
sance.
He then imposed penalties upon SPAIN
as follows:
For keeping disorderly house, So ant
costs; for keeping house of ill-fame ant
assignation, $50 and costs; for selling Ii
quor. on Sunday, $500 bail for appear
ance at Court; for threatening harm tC
Peter Spinler, 5000 bail to keep thu
peace.
SPAIN was then remanded to the Gus
tody of Constable Neary, and if he can
not comply with the sentences to-day will
be sent to New Castle.
After the trial Spain threatened to en-
ter suit against, Peter Spinler for defam
ing (?) his wifes character, but it is no
probable that this interesting suit will
ever come to trial