The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-03-27
GEORGE coLvIN's' GANG
Sent to the Grand Jury For
Stealing Whiskey.

The case OF George Golvin, Dudley
Lee, George Hoston and Saint Shafer,
charged with breaking open Huddles-
toms bar-room on last Friday night, was
heard yesterday evening before Justice
Howerton.
Il George was tried first. He was re-
presented by Messrs. Berkeley and
Robertson. Mr.. Hoge appeared for the
prosecution.
The first and most important witness
called was Rachel Chambers. She
cooks for George Colvin,a and was present
on the night of the robbery.
Rachel says Lee and Hoston came in
late and got shovel. Peg said he was
going to get whiskey from Huddlestons
bar. They took the shovel out. and she
next saw them digging hole. She
looked through the window. Directly
they came in and said they got under
the bar, but the floor was too thick for
them to get through.
They next secured an axe and q
butcher knike, broke the Stats OF the
window and cut out the putty. They
then put Saint Shafer in, who handed
OuO bH0 lQuOI W lICB uuu GOSUOH.
George staid in his restaurant.
A Jug OF. gin was brought in. George
tasted it and said it did not suit his
customers. 1t was sent back. A jug of
wine was next brought George could
not handle that, and it was also sent
back. The next was Jug of red
whiskey. George tasted it and said it
would do. Then another Jug was
brought, followed by brandy. cigarettes
and the pistol. peg" said he wanted
the pistol.
Racheal made known the robbery to
Mr.. Huddleston on Monday evening
She was afraid to tell at first.
George wanted to throw the jugs in
not to do SO, as Charlie Moten had trou-
BILE enough anyway. s,os
Captain Rerkeley-"WhY did you
wish to keep Moten out of trouble? Is
he a particular friend of yours?"
Rachel-"If it had er been anybody
else's yard l would er said the same
thing. Suppose it had been yours, l
would have said don't throw them Jugs
in Mr.. Berkeley's yard; he has trouble
enough anyway" Laughterl.
MIR. Huddleston said he missed the
whiskey and other articles the next
morning after the robbery. He sue
pected George Colvin and finally got
Rachel to tell him about the theft.
This was on Monday following. He
also searched the house and procured
several bottles and the pistol He
identified them all as his property.
Officer Locke and e. Il. Huddleston
testified also as to finding the bottles
and the pistol concealed in Georges
house.
George Colvln was sworn and testified
to an alibi. He said his wife and daugh-
ter were at the Opera House Friday
night. They came back about Ii
O'Clock. All three then went into Hud-
dlestoL's bar and took drink, after
which they started to their homes in
Old Lick. There he remained till next
day.
George denied the stealing and said
no bottles or jugs were found under his
house. They could not have been
placed there as the floor lay fiat on the
ground. He said Rachel was drunk and
that she informed because of difficulty.
Lille Colvin said she and her mother
were at tho Opera House. George
joined them after the play was over,
and they went straight home. She was
sure OF this, and was certain they did
not go back to the restaurant
Another witness was examined and
the counsel argued the case.
Dudley Lee, George Hoston and
Saint Shafer were then brought in.
They pleaded not guilty, and Rachel
gave her evidence over again. 1t was
exactly the same.
The prisoners then testified in their
own behalf, and each told conflicting
stories.
Squire Howerton sent tho whole
gang, including Saint Shafcr, on to the
grand jury. The latter attempted to
escape while being taken to the cell,
but was stopped on his way down the
rear steps.