Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-12-24
AN OLD SOLDIERS FRANKS,
The strange FrOlics and Advensufeo q
q LeQlexs PensiOner.

Among the characters best known around the
Police Court is an old soldier with no legs. His
first appearance before Judge Smell at the old
court building on street was shortly after the
court was established. He then wore one cork leg
and walked with clutches. The court gave 1udg-
| ment against him, but he was unable to pay the
fine. He said he had friends In the Interior de-
partment and If an officer Of the court would 20
with him he would give him the "v," the amount
Of the fine. Mr.. John Rhodes of the district at
torney's Office kindly consented to 60 with him.
They went to the Interior department, only to
find that the Old soldier had lost his credit among
his former friends and they refused to give or loan
him the money. he became very profane and re-
fused 10 go back TO court. Mr.. Rhodes argued with
him, but argument was OF no avail He refused to
go back TO again be placed behind the bars and
sent to the worhouse. He sat upon the floor, and
took OF his wooden leg to fight OF the court
officer. The officer seeing he could not get the
prisoner back took his wooden leg and started out
and collected the five dollars and the legeSs man
was set at liberty.
PERIODICAL YRoLIcs
From time to time he has appeared in court,
usually day or two after drawing his pension OF
s72 per month. After drawing his pension he
and visit saloon IL the s county @ near the soers
Home. Then he, with his companions and hack
driver, would drink. On their way home it was
the delight or the old soldier to make one OF the
men put his legs out OF the hack window to lead
the police to believe that they were "body snatch
ers," or grave robbers. The station house was
pension money S2l6) would be gone, and the next
morning he would not have $ to pay for his lib
was honest, and would usually Give him time in
which to pay his fine.
DISTURBING A WAKE.
One cold night, two or three winters ago, one OF
his comrades living in the county, on the 7th street
road, died. and the old soldier went to the 'wake
1t was bitter cold night, and the snow was sew
eral inches deep. He conducted himself peaceably
during the early part of the night but later he be-
came troublesome. He was invited to leave, but
declined. With his crutch he cleared the house OF
police were sent for. Half an hour later the OIL
GERS arrived and found him "hOlding the fort" He
was placed under arrest and, as usual he resisted
OF a mile to the road, and then they asked him to
walk. Again he refused to move, and after stand
ing In the road some time the oflcers suffered so
much from the cold that they were compelled to
carry him the balance Of the way, more than q
mile, to the statiOnhOuse. The old soldier finally
wooden leg, so he laid 1t aside and used heavy
cane or ciu0 10 assist him to get about. He de-
lights it is stated in tantalizng children, and was
once arrested on that account and charged with
carrying a pistol. He had purchased an old
broken pistol, and, going along the streets, he
toll at him. All the colOred children In that part
OF South washington where he resided were afraid
of him, and his presence on the street would at
duy tAulc (lu Tue StTtcJ VI CullUTcu.
AN EARLY MORNING CONCERT.
While occupying a room In South washington
he went home one Saturday night, taking with
him two companions. On their way home he pur-
chased several musical Instruments and about 2
O'Clock Sunday morning, when the trio arrived
at the room, they gave free concert, which was
not much enjoyed by the neighbors. AS usual,
the police were sent for, and with some diff
Guilty the old soldier and his companions were
relieved Of their musical instruments, and the
quiet OF the neighborhOod was again restored
TAKING POSSESSION OF DRUG STORE.
On another occasion one cold night he went into
an East Washington drug store about the time for
closing the store and asked permission OF the
storekeeper to warm himself. His request was
granted, but was soon revoked. Once in the drug
giSt found 1t hard to get him out He began TAX
Ing from his pocket articles Of food and bottles
containing liquors and medicines and spread his
table on the show case. The druggist argued
with him and even offered him Inducements to 60,
but he was too far>frOm home on such cold
night The druggist started to put him out, but
the man without legs took hold Of show case
and threatened to upset it If troubled, and so
things went on until an early hour the next
morning, when an Of1cer put in his appearance
and ended the druggists troubles.