Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-12-12
NO PROOF OF GAMBLING


Rut Mr. Turner Tries HardI Hold
the Prisoners On nn Old Niue LAW.
At Saturday nights court the case of
Amos A. Esstburn VS.. Isaac Dillin, De
Haven Morris, John Il. johnson, Ira
Anderson, Lewis Taylor, Joshua Pyle.
Leslie George and Lawrence Husbands,
charged with driving over Eaatburn's
pavement, thus infringing city ordinance,
WAS dismissed without costs. The Street
and Sewer Department are now fixing
the street. MIR. Eastburn only desired to
protect his property. Judge Ball there
fore dismissed the case at EaAtburn's re-
quest.
At city court Monday morning the case
against Frank Woods, oolored, charged
with assault and battery on his wife, was
dismissed on the application Of Mrs.
Woods and the recommendation OF the
city solicitor. The prisoner was required
to pay costs.
Alonzo Ward, colored, was charged
with assault with intent to kill Moses
Walker, colored, OF Sixth and Walnut
streets. Walker said "Ward used in
famed language and frew a brick and
away it went back of my head. It
knocked me clean out of time. krow'd
nothing. He wanted cents. refused
and told him didn't want any Niger
fooling like that The assault was
proved by other witnesses. Judge Ball
fined the prisoner 500, and sentenced
him to one years imprisonment
The following colored men were ar
rested Sunday night at the barber shop,
| 224 West Second street Alfred Bell, VIM.
W. Benson, Ulysses Compton, W. II
Kerns, J. W. Benson, A. h. Gustus,
Edward Petty, John w. Benson, A. Gates.
MIR. Turner asked for the afraignment
1 of j. w. Benson and Alfred Bell. The
othsra were ordered 70 stand aside, tine
1 intention being to use them as witnesses.
Sergeant Tucker described the raid. The
house was surrounded, and as the officers
demanded admittance the lights we're put
ont. All but Benson were found, and
arrested. square table was found with
some cards in the dsawer but no money.
Officer Sherer described how Sergeant
Stewart, with Officer Brown aud the wit.
ness, went TO the rear OF the premises and
prevented escape from that direction.
some tibfe chips and two decks Of cards
were found III a drawer, but no money,
The sum OF So was found on one man,
ard 40 cents on two otheIa.
Edward Petty, colored, said the me1
were playing Heyen up. They played nc
other game Of chance ''eIcuging
checkers. John Duffy, we'll. known col
ored gambler. testified that he had nearly
quit gambling, He piaya 'short card
now and not sweat The witness wa
altogether too sharp Tor Mr.. Turner, VIII,
at length lei him go from the witnes
stand.
Dennis Sharper, colored, was the neg
witness. He appeared in . clean whit
bib and tucker, magnificent black nous
tache aud shiny bald head. He yawne
at sight Of MIR. Turner, smiled patruni2
ingly on the city solicitor and said mo
to score Of questions. Dennis wa
gently child by Judge Bali for maxim
secret signals to the prisoners and the
was allowed to depart.
City Solicitor Turner seemed deter
mined to convict hiB prisoners an
quoted an old blue Law about playin
cards on Sunday.
, Judge Ball-"For money r
MIR. Tnrner-"No. sir
The CONTEMPLATING seven no is nc
, gambling unless money is used
MIR. Turner then had the clerk read hi
/ ancient Sunday law which makes
, illegal to assemble on Sunday to game
) play or dance" In reply the urisont
Bell pointedly showed that the peopl
did not assemble at the house for any {
fhose purposes. II was his house whel
they accidentally dropped in.
Judge Ball told the city solicitor TIL
/ if he held these men he might arrest an.
one In private houses who meet by acc
0 dent and play without gambling. JUDI
i, Ball added that the law Mr.. Turner I
h terred TO was passed at time wht
{ gambling was allowed by State law, e
4 cept on Sundays, VIXEN fine Of $4 WI
!. imposed.
d The court felt compelled TO dismiss u
J charge, there being no proof Of the i
!. dictment.