Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1881-03-18
IMPECUNIOUS SHOWMEN.
Billy Edwards Gets Into Trouble.

he is Prosecuted for an old Board Bill.
Last evening Billy Andrews lady min.
strels appeared in the opera house to an
| audience which represented about $50,
There were four women and five men in
the company. There was no first part,
but the different people appeared in their
specialities, several sketches We're passably
| we'll acted, but the show was for the most
part poor. The costumes were not at all
rich, most Of the party appearing in their
street dresses.
About o'clock and before the show
! commenced, Andrews was arrested by
Officer Cramer, on a warrant issued by
Alderman Barr, ON complaint Of George
w. Eaby, for an old board bill con: racted
Il little more than three years ago. The
complaint charges false pretense and ab-
sconding without paying his board.
Cramcr having to 50 on duty at the
mayors office, handed Andrews over to
Holman, who took him to the station
house and was about to lock him up when
the turnkey suggested that the man be
given chance to get bail. He got Chas.
Bitner, who was taken as bail in 5000 by
Alderman McCOnomy for Andrews's ap.
pearance before Alderman Barr at 81 a.
m. to-day.
A hearing was had before Alderm an
Barr at 10 o'clock this morning, and the
testimony of Mr.. Eaby, the prosecutor,
was to the effect that Andrews and his
troupe, then playing variety show at
ltOthweiler's hall, had boarded for several
weeks at the Sorrcl Horse hotel, of which
MIR. Eaby was then proprietor, and that
Andrews made himself responsible for the
board that he paid from time to
time, but when the troupe left
there was balance of $48 un-
paid that he once afterwards received
from Andrews $40 on account, and has
received from him nothing since. That
he made from time to time efforts to dis
cover the whereabouts of Andrews, but
could not find him
For the defence Mr.. Andrews was called
and testified that he paid Mr.. Eaby from
day 20 day the board of the men in his
employ =; that when he could no longer get
license to give performances, he paid
Mr.. Eaby all he owed him, told him he
would no longer be responsible for the
board OF his men, and he himself went
to board at the Plow tavern; that he never
made any false pretensc to Mr.. Eaby that
he did not abscOnd that he is citizen of
Pennsylvania, and has ever since the date
of the alleged debt resided in Philadelphia,
though at times his professional engage
ments took him outside the limits of tho
state.
Il. F. Davis, esq.,, counsel for Andrews.
asked that he be discharged, first because
there was not particle of evidence show
ing either false pretence or an intention to
detraud an inn-keeper; and secondly,
that if the offence had been committed,
the statute of limitation cuts it out, as it
was committed more than two years ago.
b. F. Eshleman, esq.,, Mr. Eaby's coun-
sci argued that a 2'rima tacis case had been
made out. That Andrews had obtained
board for his men by promising to pay tie
same, that he had abscOnded without pay
ing, and, that his absence from the state
deprived him Of the right to put in the
plea of limitation.
The alderman demanded Mr.. Andrews
to furnish bail in the sum of 5000 to
answer at court, informing him at the
same time that he would not accept as
bail the gentleman who had entered bail
for him last evening. Mr.. Andrews said
he was a stranger in this city and did not
known where to look for bail, whereupon
the magistrate made out commit
ment and placed it in the hands of
an officer. Mr.. Andrews asked the
officer to give him little time
to settle the matter; and we are
told an arrangement was made whereby
Andrews was permitted to 60 to Colum-
bia where his company plays tonight, the
officer going along with him.
After the uit.brought by Mr.. Eaby had
been disposed of by Alderman Barr, Mr..
Finney of the Grape hotel put in an ap.
pearance, and was about entering complaint
against the whole troupe for non-
payment of their board. when Andrews
begged him not to do so telling him if he
would accompany him to the hotel he
would make everything right, and he did
SO by paying the bill.