San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-02-23
A sERIoUsEcHARoE.
John WlIkie Held for False Repre-
senting Himself as a United
States officer.

States officer.
John Wilkle, the well known hscl
driver. alias Henry Kelly, was beior'
| United States Commissioner Stevenson
on three sfIldsyits, first for false repre-
sentlng himself as a United States OF
flCer, second with obtaining by such
means valuable property, to-wit, beef
and cigars, and thirdly with conspiriuR
with one Lawrence TO commit the Of
fences named.
Martha A. Walker told that she was a
saloon keeper at 1901 West Commerce
STREET and that Lawrence came there
and represented himself as q United
States revenue officer, he inquired for
one Pfeufler, and was told that he bad
sold out and was staying at the Braden
House. He called In "his deputy" whom
he named Henry Kelly ana wanted to
investigate her license. Sne asked for
his authority and he partly pulled out a
paper that seemed to have seal.
kelly" nodded In a way that conveyed
assurance to her, and Lawrence ordered
them to bring beer and cigars which
was taken by the company and not
paid. He said that he would go to the
Braden House to arrest German lady
and Pfeuffer, and left. After she had
gone to bed he returned and bothered
her for nearly three quarters OF an hour
when he left at the instigation Of Kelly.
While there he threatened to arrest
everybody and to place the saloon Ia
charge OF his deputy, Kelly.
Martha Haley and GregOrio Hartmann
gave evidence confirming the conduct Of
Lawrence and Kelly.
J.D. Armstrong of the Braden house,
said that Lawrence called there and re-
presented himself as a United States
marshal, calling Kelley his deputy.
Lawrence enquired for man named
Pfeufier, say ing he wanted to arrest him
for selling liquor without license and
for smuggling cigars. He told him that
he had been there, but was not now, and
as Lawrence pressed for more informa-
ton, he said that Pfeuffer was engaged
TO be married to a lady and boarder,
Miss Slavin, knew her address. The
Misses SlavIns were in bed at tue time,
but he got the address. Then Lawrence
and Kelly went to get drink and re-
turning, insisted upon seeing the ladies.
They arose, dressed and spoke with
him giving all the Information they
could when Lawrence threatened to ar
rest them. Miss Slavin said he would
not, when he said, by God, | will" lie
interfered when Lawrence threatened
to kill him. They examined witnesses,
took evidence and left.
Miss Ii. Il. Slavin confirmed Mr.. Arm
strong's account SO far as 1t concerned
them.
Mr.. Bergstrom who appeared for the
defense, admitted that neither Lawrence
nor Wilkie were United States officers
and called John Wilkie who told how he
took up the prisoner at the Arkansas
Pass depot and drove him to Pfeufer's
saloon. Lawrence said that he was q
United States officer and he believed
and acted as such all the way through.
He denied that be heard Lawrence rep
resent himself as Kelly or that he Wilkie,
represented himself in such ca
psoity. After this game had gone
on some time he demanded
the money due him, and Lawrence re-
fused to pay and said, "well, what are
you going to do about it," He answer
ed, ''I'll drive you to the police head
quarters" Then Lawrence wanted him
TO drive to the Arkansas Pass depot
where he claimed to have S2j. but he de-
clined to do so and drove him to the pO-
lice headquarters. On the way Law
renee attempted to escape.
Ed. Scott, 3 COlOred hack driver. with
him at the time did not see all that Oc-
Cured, but did not hear anything show
ing that Wilkie was representing him
self or represented as United States
officer.
United States Commissioner Steven
son at the close Of the case con.
sidered that there was ample evidence
to hold the accused for representing
himself as an officer, and although there
was no prior evidence of conspiracy
the action of the accused certainly in
dIcRted. He must therefore bold him in
$500 bond in each case. As regards
the obtaining Of goods from Mrs.
Walker, there was no evidence that he
had demanded or ordered anything and
he would therefore dismiss that charge.