Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-18
FOR BACKING POLICY.
f. p Gross and John Hurley on Trial In the
Police Court Today.

L. p. Cross and John Hurley on Trial In the
Police Court Today.
Owing to the vigorous prosecutions Of the
policy men and the attempt Of the government
officers to break up these games District Attor-
ney Cole appeared in the Police Court today
with Mr.. Mullowney to prosecute the case Of
Ebenezer p Cross and John Hurley. who were
charged with being policy hackers. These de-
PENDANTS, it was alleged, were during the time
charged hackers Of what is known Us the ''old
firm" the headquarters of which. it is alleged,
is Oh the Virginia side Of the river near the
Free bridge.
Messrs. Campbell Darlington and A. B. Will
Jams appeared for the defendants and chal-
lenged several jurors. The government also
used several challenges.
Mr. Mullowney made the opening speech to
the jury, stating that he expected to show that
a scheme called policy was in operation in this
District; that plays are made and that after the
writer's collect their money they carry send
their plays and money across the river to a
place known as policy headquarters, where, he
expected to show, the defendants carried on
the business. He also expected to show that
Mr.. Hurley clerk received the books and
money and that Mr.. Cross, the alleged hacker,
was also present. Mr.. Mullowney further de-
tailed the modus operandi as he expected to
provo it.
Mr.. Williams. in reply said that the position
taken by the government WAS a curious one
and. In his judgment, he thought it would be
impossible tor the government to prove it. He
contended that his clients were not guilty and
he thought the testimony would prove it. He
thought 1t would be impossible for the govern
ment to prove to the satisfaction Of the jury
that the defendants were connected in any
manner with a policy lottery. Mr.. Williams
asked that the witnesses be separated and the
court directed that all the witnesses except
the one on the stand be excluded from the
room.
The first witness called was colored woman
named Emma Miller, and she was asked whether
she had written policy since the 4th OF last
March.
Mr.. Williams suggested that there was a
charge of violating the policy law against the
woman and asked the court to instruct her that
she would not have to answer questions that
would tend to criminate her.
Tho court gave the witness the instructions
suggested, but she did not take advantage of
them.
Witness said that she wrote policy from April
till August and did business principally about
Ohio avenue and 49, street. She said that she
carried the usual policy book and agate and
took plays, the numbers running from to 70.
She knew that some OF her customers won a
prize, and she either sent went over the
river and got the money, which she turned
over to the players, some men and some
women. The successful players. she said,
would have to show their 'piece" that she had
given them when they made their play. Some
OF the hits she said were called gigs" She re-
ceived her books from boys who she sent across
the river with the money and drawings; Oliver
West and AdolpLus Miller, she said, were often
given the books to take to headquarters for
her.
Witness said that the last time she went
across the river was in November. She then
went to Rossly at the other end Of the Free
bridge and turned over her books and money
to Mr.. Hurley, who advised her not to return
to work then; that there was going to be some
trouble, and he also told her he would let her
know when to return to work.
Counsel objected to the conversation that
took place In Virginia and the court oyerruled
the objection. The testimony was admitted.
who else did you over there7" asked
Mr.; Muliowney. MIR. Burke and Mr.. Gal
Witness continuing said she had a number of
money transactions in connection with the
policy business
did you ever see Mr.. Cross over thereY"
"les, sir"
''What did ne say?
do" Nv" w ''0
"Where was hep
.'In the Office ut the policy headquarters"
On one occasion she said Mr.. Cross paid her
money for policy hits.
After recess the witness identified Mr. Cross.
the defendant, as the man about whom she
had given testimony. When crOss-examined
by MIR. Williams witness said she was somc-
times known as Crow" and that she was
acquainted with other policy writer's. Witness
first commenced writing policy about twelve
years ago She could not tell how many times
she had been arrested. When employed by
this company she was always defended by Mr..
Williams.
Upon further investigation witness said that
her fines were always paid when she was ar
rested. Witness could not recollect an ything
said to her during her conversations with Po-
hceman Grealy.
Counsel attempted to prove that some mr.
rangement had been made whereby the case
pending against her would be dropped because
OF her testimony in this case, but the witness
declared that no arrangement of that kind had
been mentioned.
George Colvert, colored was next called, and
he testified that he lived at No. Goat alley.
Witness said that he knew MIR. Cross, the de-
PENDANT; that he used to get 81 a week from
aim for printing policy drawings for him. He
printed them In Mir. CIark's house.
Witness stopped working for Mr. Cross be-
cause OF n dispute about piece of policy
The witness was on the stand when this re-
port closed.