Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-10-17

Another Case Growing Out Of the Citi.
Zens' Investigation Brought to
Trial.

Another Case Growing Out Of the Citi-
zens' investigation brought to
Trial.
THE TRIAL BEGUN IN THE CRIMINAL COURT TO-DAY.
In the Criminal Court to-day, before Judge Wylie,
the case of Thomas Dunn and Robert Murphy, alias
Robert Johnson indicted for larceny, another one
Of the cases growing out OF the investigation by the
| citizens committee was called There was a large
attendance in court. The government was repre-
sented by District Attorney Corkhi, Assistant Dis
tIict Attorney Hugh Taggart, and Special Attorney
H. II. Wells The defendant, Dunn, was repre-
sented by Mr. A. B. Williams, and Murphy by
Mr.. c. Pelham and Mr.. w. w. Belts. The defend
ants were indicted July 11th last with Daniel Scrib
ner, on the evidence of Charles OLeary and John II.
Murphy for having on January 49, 1882, stolen from
Richard B. Thomas gold watch and chain worth
s175 and $50 in money.
The parties were arraigned and pleaded not
guilty, and jury was called Mr. Thomas SOmer-
V1lle stating that he member OF the citizens
committee was excused by the court Mr. Thomas
citizens committee, but knew nothing OF this case.
the court ruled that he was competent, but the de-
fense challenged him.
THE JURY.
The following were the jurors selected: John A.
schneider, Bartlett w. Page George F. Pylis,
George w. Banagtn, Columbus j. Eslin VIII. Scott,
Henry Bailey, John L. Vogt, Victor j. Becker Robert
E. Frey, Clarence Beall, and David Nachmon.
The defense took exceptions as to the govern
ment exercising the right OF challenge and to the
ruling OF the court that the defence had but four
challenges.
A THREE-CARD-MONTE CASE
Mr. Taggart opened the case to the jury, stating
rhat the victim In this case lost his watch by what
Is known as the three -card-monte game, a scheme
In which several persons are in conspiracy-all
having common purpose; that Thomas was ap-
preached at the Botanical garden and was per-
suaded to go ssto see the place where Mrs Surratt
was executed" and they went to ~ and n Streets
stopping In MI. Hudson's saloon, where they were
joined Dy another man, who played the part of the
"kentucky DrOver," and the usual result followed
Mr. Thomas losing his money. They expected to
Show that Murphy was the 'drover' and that Dunn
was the Darkeeper or ''Scarer."
MR.. THOMAS TELLS HOW HE WAS DUPEp.
Richard B. Thomas of Abingdon, Va, testified
that In January, s2, while In the city, he was ac
costed at the Botanical gardens by one or two men,
who said he was going to see where Mrs. Surratt
was executed Witness was invited to 90 along,
and went down ~ street in car with the stran-
gers. They stopped at saloon and called for hot
lemonades; while at the table an old man came in
sat down and ordered a drink. This man spoke Of
having learned in Baltimore new game The
company con got to betting but witness declined to
sharper: They replied that he was not, but he
ought to be taught lesson. He was then pur-
sGaded to bet and put up his watch. and chain,
Wh1cn he lost. They were then ordered out by the
barkeeper, and left.
HOW HE RECOVERED HIS WATCH.
Witness went to friend and then to a detective
named Flinders, who said he could get the watch
by the payment OF sixty dollars. Flinders said
that the watch had been pawned in Baltimore,
and that he would require IS for expenses $40 for
services, and $50 to redeem the watch. Witness
paid him the money, s75, and got the watch, and at
Flinders suggestion that the parties wanted to see
hin (w1tnesS) with the watch he walked to the
corner OF the Avenue Witness had recognized one
OF tine men Since He was on the stand the other
day under the name of O'Leary. He was the
younger OF the the two men he met at the Botanical
@ garden He could not say that he had ever seen
The counsel for the defense said as they did not
represent OLeary they had no questions to ask.
OLEARY ON THE STAND.
Charles OLeary was sworn
The defense asked that it be noted O'Leary was
the one on the stand last week who had been con-
victed and pardoned.
O'Leary then testified that Scribner
engaged Thomas in conversation and raised his hat
as signal. when he went up and was introduced.
Going through the Botanical garden they went to
see where Mrs. Surratt was hung and stopped
The bar-keeper, Dunn, said it would take him some
time to make them and invited them to an adtoin-
ing room, where they sat down. Here Murphy came
In and the game was played. Witness then ex-
planned with the cards the game, how the watch
was lost by Thomas, who bet against ''boodle,"
witness gave the signal by cough for the scare to
come in. Witness said he saw the watch in Dunns
possession that night and witness offered $50 for It,
The watch was returned, as he understood and wit
ness and Scr1bner got their share from Dunn. Wit
ness had met Dunn and the others that morning at
Holmes, for they would arrange where they were
TO work. Dunn said Hudsons saloon was right for
that day. Dunn was brother-in-law of Hudson,
and the rule was this: 10 per cent OF the proceeds
was to be paid for the privilege Of putting man
behind the bar: Witness worked with Dunn,
ScrDner and Murphy for six weeks. Witness on
crOSSeXamfnatiOn said he did not see any others at
Hudsons at the time Of this larceny outside OF the
five engaged.
Upon redirect examination the witness said
Thomas would not have gotten the money If he had
second time, and If he won again he would be paid
and second bet made.
John e. woodward testified that he got the watch
from Scrbner or BOose; was satisfied that Dunn did
not give 1t TO him. He was at Holiness at the time
and Dunn was not there. Flinders said that some
of the boys had won watch at three card monte
giving description Of the watch, but he mentioned
no names. Witness told him that he had bought
the watch, and witness got 1t and gave it to Find
ers, who paid him $50. 50. Witness paid $50 to
was In the room, and ScTfbner was about there but
he did not see Murphy. Witness had a cOnyerSa-
ton With Dunn last summer, and asked him the
name OF the man who lost the watch, and he said
that he did not know
Mr. Taggart expressed his disappointment by the
witness testimony, and was proceeding to closely
question witness but was checked Witness said
that he had erred in portion OF his testimony.
Cross examined by Mr. Williams, he said that he
went to MI. Wells about week ago, and informed
him that he had made mistake.
Redirect to Mr. Wels.-It was about a week ago.
witness said that the dispute was to the amount
paid.
A recess Of half an hour was taken.