Evening journal., 1889-04-11
A BRUTAL AMUSEMENT
Men Arrested While Watch
ing a Dog Fight.
TRIED AND FINED. THIS MORNING.

Men at Dog right Three Miles From
This city-The Dogs to be Sold.
The Wilmington police force added
some nall dozen feathers to their caps
last night Twenty-six men who were
witnessing dog fight about three miles
from TINS city, were captured and brought
70 this city by Special Agent Frank
stout, assisted by squad of officers
The hight took place in barn on
Patrick Haley's farm about half a
mile from the East Junction and
began about 1926 o'clock. A pit was
dogs let go. The fighters each weighed
twenty-one pounds and were both female
bull dogs-Belle, a white animal, and
TOpsy, brown and white animal They
Immediately went for each other sparring
for gain like professional pugilists. Topsy
seemed the best animal Of the two and
came out much fresher. The sports
present gathered around the pit as the
excitement increased, and just as the fun
was highest, knock was heard at the
door.
The police had arrived.
At once there was a scramble to get
out Of the way of the officers, the lights
were blown out, and the men who
watched from the rafters of the barn
left suddenly But it was of little use.
Naturally the men ran in the opposite
direction from the knocking, and the
police were waiting for them. The police
gave fusilade with their reyolvers and
almost all of the men gave in Some.
however tried to escape but they came
back The hay NOV, near by, was a
place of refuge but the men were driven
from it and caught by the sergeants.
AS soon as the men were taken charge
of the place was searched and several
other men were taken. The dogs were
also taken in charge and the whole crowd
was brought to this city in carriages and
locked up in the hall for night of re-
fection and repentance. Some were let
out on paying of $50 forfeit money.
The raid was planned by Special Officer
Frank Stout, agent for the S. P. @. A.,
and he was assisted by Sergeants Black
burn and Stetser and Officers
Stewart, Scott, Wilhelm, Yates, Broom
all, Zerby and Logus. The men arrested
gave their names as follows Henry
O'Neil, Samuel Blackiston, colored. John
Ray, John Kelly, James Flynn, Joseph
Haggerty, Frank Collins, Charles John
son, Samuel Wilson, Joseph Quigley,
George Knight, Mitchell Wilson, Patrick
Haley. John Lynch, Joseph Wilson, John
Dougherty, John August, Thomas Con-
ner, Joseph Myers, Jacob Wincks,
Charles Lewis, Charles Williams. James
Smith, Walter Brady, George Murphey,
and Isaac Stewart.
The dogs we're chained at the hall in
separate rooms. Belle is sick, Topsy is
lively. After the session Of court this
morning Judge Ball, City Solicitor
TurneS Mayor Harrington and several
others took look at the dogs. Some one
said: Lets see if they are any good. !"
IAN right, said Judge Ball, 'I'll hold one
if the Mayor viii hold the other" "0h.
no. guess not, said his honor. The
dog Topsy had the name Jack Dough
ertyp on its collar.
The men were locked up in the rear
cell, and this morning large crowds
focked to the City Hall to see them
But the police officers allowed admission
to none. Many were the mutterings of
the friends outside and the prisoners in
side the bars.
A discussion was held by the city solici-
tor, Judge Ball and Attorney Porter of
the s. p. G. A., as to whether the case
should be tried at the City Court or
before Justice of the Peace Smith, and at
10 o'clock the first crowd of prisoners
was brought over. The office. was cleared
of all but those who had business there
Patrick Haley, the tenant of the farm
was called first He was charged with
allowing the use of his barn for dog
fight, of being interested in the fight and
of aiding and abetting in the same. He
said he did not allow the use of the barn
ond xroc not IN fbn Erl
Special Officer Stout testified that when
the officers arrived at the barn the fight
was in progress, and that he saw Haley
in the barn yard after the raid,
trying to escape. Some of the
men came out of the windows and
doors. Saw no one outside before the ar
rest, and the dogs fought for five min
utes after the alarm was given. Sergeant
Blackburn testified that the officers ar
rived at the barn about TO- Is o'clock and
several horses to carriages were hitched
up near it. No persons were outside the
barn. Heard the dogs fighting inside the
barn, and while they were fighting an
officer knocked on the door, Haley came
out of the barn and was captured. Did
not know how many persons were there.
Haley said he had not given the men
| permission to use the barn and had moth
ing whatever to do with it. Justice
! Smith levied fine of $25 and costs ON
him. The costs were $1237.
Jonn Dougherty was the next prisoner
called. The name John Dougherty was
on the collar Of the dog Topsy. He was
asked If he was the owner of the dog,
but he denied it. The justice said that
it was palma facie evidence of ownership
to have his name on the collar. Mr..
Stout here stated that the dog belonged
to another party, and the justice let
Dougherty off with $40 and costs.
The remainder of the men were each
fined $40 and costs, making the cost of
the dog fight to each, $2237. Frank
Duncan was thought to have had some
interest in the fight, but there was no
evidence to that effect, and he received
the same fine as the others. The majority
OF the names given were assumed. A
colored man gave his name as Samnel
Blackiston; after he was sentenced Chief
Swiggett said: when you get over tc
the hall, Ill have another name for YOU. :
Probably he meant Dennis.
| The fines of about half the prisoners
was paid this morning. The agent will
advertise the dogs for sale, probably
until Saturday, then if not sold they viii
/ be killed
The fines and costs amount to $500. GO
Bnried at old swedes.
The remains Of Mrs. Catherine II
/ Gallagher, aged SO years of Baltimore