Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-12-29
POLICY AND FLIM-FLAM.
Workers of Both Games Held in the Polic
Court Today-Other Cases.

Workers of Both Games Held in the Police
Court Today-Other Cases.
81 don't know nothing about the law and
can't understand" was what Henry Sheperd
said when he appeared in Judge Kimball's
court this morning and was arraigned on a
charge of being n suspicious person. Sheperd
is an old colored man with long gray beard, and
be Is so old that he only has the use OF one eye,
and although he cannot write he knows figures
when be sees them. and can therefore conduct
his part Of the policy business
He was suspected rot OF contemplating rob-
berry, but of being connected with the policy
game.
Policeman Williams appeared as the prose-
cutting witness and told the court that the old
man was a runner and not writer.
] He collects PLAYS" said the officer, land
turns them in to other writer's or hackers"
The officer produced a number OF policy
/ papers taken from the old man, and the latter
tried to explain that they were the result Of his
/ own ''calkerlstions" and he 'spec ed" that he
had played Fem" across the river.
The policy people seem to be employing all
old men ard children, said Judge Kimball,
land don't believe in letting them of. Every
/ one connected with the policy business ought
/ to go to Jail. In this business / am fully in
sympathy with Judge Miller
IL don't write policy, was the old mans de-
Tense. Il drive a carriage for Mr.. Geo. Gard
ner. who lives on l4th street !"
Who is Mr.. Gardiner" inquired the judge.
He is in the policy business" responded the
officer, 'and spends most OF his time across the
river"
The old man had told the officer that he had
collected plays for Mr.. Travers up to the day
before Christmas.
But I'm now done for good he told the
court, and if you are lenient with me now I'll
promise never to take any part in the policy
business again"
Not until the next time you are caught"
remarked the judge.
bond of 900 or imprisonment for three
months was what the court said in way Of q
sentence
Lawyer Sillers thought the bond was excess
sive and said that it large bond as is
sometimes required of burglars.
Policy writing" said the Judge, sis Just as
much stealing AS to go into ~ mans store and
steal his goods. 1t is robbing the poor and
making thieves and criminals of many Of them.
intend to do nv duty to break up this ne
farious business and the bond will stand at the
amount stated"
DOING THE FLIM-FI.AM GAME.
William johnson, man past the meridian
of life, whose clothes and appearance indicated
that be was an English sailor or soldier, was in
the procession because he was a crook He had
been IN saloons, drug stores and other places of
business and had been successful as a '-fim-
fam operator, although he had not succeeded
IN getting more than 20 cents at any place. He
would enter place and make n scent pur-
chase glass OF beer or some pills, and
when given change he would put down
a nickel in place of quarter and
would then complain that a mistake had
been made in the change. second visit to one
place so; him into trouble. He was followed
from the place to drug store and he was
finally arrested by Detective Weldon.
With tears in his ewes the old man protested
his innocence. and said he wanted to leave the
city today. but tine judge told him that he
would have TO give Sl0O bond or remain here
for three months.
The river road across the Eastern branch
was the place selected by Neill Cunningham rs
the place where to spend his leisure moments
and Policeman Branson arrested him and
brought him into court for vagrancy Liquor
drinking was the principal allegation in add
ton to the general charge that he had been
found about the road mentioned. bond of
so WAS required and thirty days was the time
stated III default.
WONT LOOK FOR WORK FOR AWHILE.
Hurt Harvey Of Pennsylvania the name
and residence gwen by an able-bodied young
man who appeared being on the road trying
to seek his fortune.
Il came here looking for work." he said.
land met some boys out here who have been
feeding me-"
Policeman Hinrich, who made the arrest,
found him IN a vacant house on Meridian Hill.
some of the flooring had been torn up and used
for kindling. and a shaving razor was found on
him. Sixty days on the farm was his sentence
a. a vagrant and Judge Miller afterward gave
him thirty days for having the razor on him.
Julia Banks represented South Washington.
She was charged with being yag. Guilty"
was her plea and a sentence of sixty DAYS was
imposed.
William Mccormick was perfectly willing to
go to the work house any other place to
spend few days during the cold weather. He
came into court and asked 10 be sent down. as
he had no home, but when paper was filed
against him and he was asked to plead to a
story was that he belonged in Hampton. Va,
Soldiers Home, but that he had no way TO get
back there.
The judge suggested that the river was frozen
now and there was no way for him to get there
He said. however, he would do what he could
for him and suspended the case until he can see
the sanitary officer.
James Mahoney and George CANT came be-
fore the court on charges of disorderly conduct
They plead guilty and were fined 30 or 10 DAYS
each.
charged with being yagrant, gave his personal
bonds.
William Graves was the last one in the line
Of unfortunates and he was charged with va
granCy. He had been arrested in Georgetown
and the only thing alleged against him WAS that
be was victim of strong drink.
Judge Kimball gave him fifteen DAYS in de-
fault OF bonds.