Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-10-03


TROUBLE CAUSED BY THE ARREST OF A W.T..
NEss-JUDGE SMELL GIVES JUDGMENT.
Philip Williams, a colored man, who resides
In an alley between 10th and 18th and r and
Q streets northwest, was ON trial In the Police
Court this morning charged with keeping q
disorderly house. The testimony of q number
OF witnesses was heard to sustain the charge,
when Mr.. Moss, who appeared tor Williams,
called as a witness q colored woman who has
been living with Williams for q number Of
years although not lawfully married to him.
She gave her name as Rachael Williams, and
testified that she rented the house and paid the
ting that she was responsible The judge con-
tinued the case 70 hear the testimony OF the
landlord.
thought he told Officer Shanks not to let the
woman witness go out of court until ne
could file an information against her. The wo-
man had left the court room, and was about to
leave the building when Officer Shanks placed
her under arrest Mr.. Moss then stepped up
off H Mari and Van Fleet who were stand.
Ing near by, quickly hustled the excited law
yer back into the hallway, and the woman was
Mr.. Moss protested to the judge that the
officer had arrested his witness, and that too,
her and
the front steps where the lawyer publicly an.
nounced that he could whip both: policemen, and
in the court room, Moss renewed his offer to
fight, and threatened to whip Van Fleet in
CHARGES OF ASSAULT.
Mr.. Moss went before Assistant District At
torney Thomas and swore to an information
charging Van Fleet and MARI with assault, and
Van Fleet in turn charged Moss with assault.
The case against Moss was first called, and Mr..
this case was brought on account of a spite
against the colored lawyers which has been
brewing for some time, and he was only sorry
down.
The judge told Mr. Hewlett that he would
nave ns 70 stop such talk and proceed to trial.
rest and trouble in the passage, while he was
standing on the steps in front Of the court, Moss
can lick you" Witness told him if he did not
go away he would arrest him. Moss replied,
putting his fist In witness face, II can lick you,
Officers Riley and sutton gave similar testi-
mony.
This closed the testimony against Moss, and
ne took the stand in his own behalf. He testified
that after the trouble was over and the woman
was released he went out on the front steps and
assault, when Van Fleet rushed at him, and he
said that neither officer could whip him. He
denied what the officers said, and added that he
was surprised at them for swearing in the way
they did. When he started out arm in arm
with the woman, Officer Shanks caught hold of
the woman. He still kept hold of the woman,
and neither he nor Shanks caught hold OF each
other. Officer Moss, he said, caught him by the
throat, and Van Fleet caught him by the arms
and pulled him back.
Mr.. Hewlett gave similar testimony.
Mr. Thomas said he was responsible for
Officer Shank action.
Officer Mari testified that Officer Shanks and
MI Moss were pulling at the woman when he
placed his hand on Moss, and requested him to
stop such conduct. He denied choking Moss.
Officer Van Fleet testified that he caught hold
OF Moss and requested him to keep quiet.
Officer Hardin also testified to the occur
renee.
LAWYER MOSS FINED AND THE POLICEMEN
DISCHARGED.
The judge in disposing OF the case said: ''This
is a court ofjustice. Persons must not create
any disorder about the court, and if they do
they are guilty of contempt The officer had
been iiladvised in the matter OF arresting the
woman. He had no right to arrest the woman,
and the court promptly discharged her. The re-
spect of the court is bound to be enforced. The
officers are to be discharged and Mr.. Moss Is to
be fined"
1.-The colored lawyers around here are i'm
posed upon," said Mr.. Hewlett, 'but perhaps
your honor don't know as much about that as
do"
Mr. MOSa nOtod ar annual