The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-10-05
BEFORE THE MAYOR.
Glimpses Of Character In the Trial of Cases in
the City Court on Monday Morning.

''Hats of in this court; find seats" called Ser
geant Travis in the Mayors court yesterday
morning, and the usual motley crowd of visitors
and witnesses found places outside the railing.
John Stewart, a colored beotblack, was
brought in from the cooler to answer to the
charge of assault and battery upon Tony Meo.
an Italian banana peddler. Antonio's face-he
could not speak English-was better witness
than Tony himself. for though one side of it was
quite covered with plasters and bandages it told
an eloquent story. Not trusting to this alto
gether Tony had ar interpreter, woman, and
his story, confirmed by other witnesses, showed
that he had long been plagued by boys, and that
Stewart, wholly without provocation, had struck
him IN the face with large howlder, the re-
pairs to the frame work of his countenance cost
ing So
Five dollars and COSTS" said the Mayor. "Its
hardly enough, but will be good more for
he will probably have to lay it out at the work
house"
The next occupant of the prisoners box was
John Devoss, Frenchman. who could speak no
English. It began to look like polyglot SEES
sion of the court DIR. E. F. Hodges, who was
present, was asked to act as interpreter. De-
had been drinking and noisy, was visited by po-
licemen and when they attempted to arrest him
he resisted. That was the charge against him.
1t appears that they were under the impression,
from the noise they heard, that he was choking
his wife and daughter Monsieur Devoss as
this was retailed to him, shrugged his shoulders
and elevated his eyebrows in refutation of the
charge. The Mayor said he had no doubt that
Monsieur Devoss, who did not understand our
customs. thought he had perfect right to cor
pnafh nc f0r Iay yA.1dn Gynn fOr
sisting the officer, but would make flight as pos
sible
Samuel Harrison, q colored man and colored
very black at that, was brought in to answer to
the charge of assault and battery On his wife, A
well-dressed white woman took the witness seat.
She said her name was Sarah Harrison and she
was the wife OF the prisoner. He brought me
here from Kentucky" said the woman, 81 love
him, but he doesn't treat me right He beat me
all over the head. in the face and on the shout
der. am not a we'll woman and can't stand it,"
Then the husband told his story. He stood up
and called attention to his clothes, which were
ragged, his shirt dirty and collarless II have
always spent my money on her" said the defend
ant; II buy her good clothes; bought that
shawl. and the shoes she has on l paid So. rs for.
Nobody ever sees me about saloons / never go
into saloon, unless it is with bucket to get
Oe0r IOr neT. we nave HdQ TO move q
good many times; ask neighbors every
where we've been. they'll tell you.
She is quarrelsome with me. [ did slap her
across the face, but not till she had struck me
half dozen ticks over the head and one in tho
eye. Then I smacked her just once. I have
stood this as long as 1 can, and I'll get divorce
from her. Do what you please with me. What
I've said is true"
The two stories were Numerically opposed,
and the judgment of Solomon seemed neces-
sary His Honor was equal to the occasion:
'Pm not going to treat this as a case of wife
beating at all It's more like case of husband
beating You may 60, Mr. Harrison" and the
negro who had INDUCED in the luxury of white
wife departed joyful at his release, but firm in
the determination to divest himself of his eau
casiau spouse.