Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-01
NAUGHT In A NAME.
Judge Stowe Thinks Penal Institu-
tions Are 0vercrOWded by
MEN WHO HAVE BECOME FAMOUS.
The Saturday Sociological Seance in Quar-
ter Sessions Court
PROVOCATIVE OF SOME AMUSEMENT

Yesterdays sociological seance in the
Quarter Sessions Court did not pan out the
usual idiosyncracies of the homogeneous
heterogeneity that makes up the2population n
of Allegheny county. After the usual
sentences were passed District Attorney
Johnston called off a long list of names of
persons who were wanted, and as answers
were few he turned the majority over to the
tender mercy of the law, and forfeited re-
cognizances filled the air like leaves driven
by autumnal blasts. Squire Patterson re-
cited the usual proclamation in mournful
cadence so frequently that the au-
dience had it memorized when he
finished the list. The delinquents were
charged with all sorts of minor offenses.
Judge Stowe was in an unusually good
humor, the crispy weather agreeing with
him, but he was evidently considerably e1-
asperared at the failure of the Granite State
Loan frauds to return the money promis sed
to their Victims and intimated that it would
have been better for them to have done so,
as they might have gotten off with fine and
escaped i'm mprisonment.
First Act of the Variety Show.
The variety part of the performance be-
gan upon the Introduction of Mrs. Hannah
Welsh, of Braddock, who deposed that
Maggie Bothman, a rosey-cheeked woman
OF the same town, had threatened to do up
the prosecutri1 in the most approved style
OF the nstic art. Between them the contest
ants had secured considerable share of the
feminine portion of their neighborhood,
ranging in age from 12 to 45 years.
The witnesses on each side did their work
with will. 1t was developed that Mag
gle Bothman had sued Mrs. Welsh, and it
was charged that she was given to this sort
OF pastime, but Maggie said she had brought
but ones suit, in which decision was reserved
pending the disposition OF this case in
court. She said this was all the "sewer-
age" she had been engaged in, and that she
was amply justified in all that she had
done, for Mrs. Welsh, she alleged, had sent
her comic valentine and, not content with
the insult it conveyed, had reinforced it
with marginal notes in which she (Maggie
Bothman) was referred to as Homestead
strap, trollop, etc.
The comicalIty of the affair so worked
upon the visible side of the judges nature
as to put him in good humor with both
sides. and he let Maggie off on payment of
costs. She marched off with u deputy
sheriff. wearing a de'il-may-care expression
that some thought boded no good to the
prosecutrix. In short time Maggie re-
turned and appeared to be as unruffled as
though nothing had occurred to mar her
felicity.
Not Very Much in a Name.
Attorney McElroy next called attention
to the fact that Ralph Waldo Emerson had
been lingering in that untranscendental in
stitution, the workhouse, since the 25th
instant, having been committed by Mayor
Wyman. OF Allegheny. as suspicious
character. Upon Judge Stowe objecting to
the form of petition for release, Mr. Nc
Elroy observed that the name oughrto be
guarantee of character. but Judge Stowe
thought that names counted for little while
penal institutions were so crowded with
George Washingtons, Daniel Websters,
Henry Clays, Martin Luthers, John Calvins,
John Kpo1es, etc.. that their feet were
sticking out of the windows
The attorney, however. suggested that the
petition could De easily amended, and he
could not only show that Mr.. Ralph Waldo
Emerson was man of family, but also one
OF substance, and possessed of a comfortable
home in Ohio.
Attorney Porte buttressed these positions.
and pretty, petite woman, who answered to
the name of Emerson, came forward and
said she was the suspects wife, and could
give security to efectuate the will of the
Court, il her husband were released, and
could prove that there was nothing suspici-
BUS about him. The Court couldn't stand
The racket any longer, and made the order
wanted.
In the last act the McGinnis family closet |
skeleton was exhibited by Attorney Hay |
maker, and an order was made that Mr.. |
McGinnis' forfeit recognizance $500 be paid |
Mrs. McGinnis, under an act of 1S42, which !
provide that in certain cases the party in
ured by tort shall be the beneficiary and |
not the county.
When this matter was decided the lobby |
was cleared. and Judge Stowe laid down |
The scepter, as he will not preside in this |
court during the March term.