The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-10-11
THE FAKIR IN COURT.
TRIAL or THE NAN ARRESTED ON
TIE EXPOSITION GROUNDS.
Ne and the Hoaehe- Couehs Dance Ma
Beth Seat on to the Grand Jory-ine
Trial proved Interesting.

The fakir Henry Stoner, who was ar
rested at the Exposition Grounds Ines
day for conducting an unlawful game
and w. ID. Westiake the Snowman, VINO
was arrested for conducting an indecent
show called the Houche Couche dance
were sen, On to the grand jury at ih'
xove,nher term OF the Henrico County
cop,, nv Magistrate w. J. Tyler yester'
day, and the crusade against saihp'as
and immortality at the Fair instituted Ds
c.y ". As,,nry Christian. assisted by
Hevs. T.. T. Dadmun and j. W. Moofe'
Is a complete victory. - ,.o
the preliminary trial TOOK place IN , une
taasr1cnt-room OF the Counl! tVui, :,
house where the Magistrates VI the S""'''
usually hold court.
Messrs, Louis l.. Wendenbnrg and III. L.
Spotswood appeared as coensci ,Yaarnnv .
fakirs and commonwealth Attolhes
Sands was assisted In inc prosecution ~
Judge Edmund Waddill. 80 -,
Tn. courtroom was filled with Inlxco
throng. including the ministers Ie ieItteu
10. who appeared as Witnesses, u h n.
OF fakirs from the Fair Grounds. oihcers'
lawyers. and the usual contingent of SEN
The capture OF watches, money, and
paraphernaiia that Constable +. ii. sam
iels Tuesday saved from the spiritin3
away process that took place when the
arrest was made, were displayed on me
desk in front OF the MAGISTRATE. rev
w. Asbury Christian gave his testimony.
and during the cross-questioning maue
by Mr.. Wendenburg proved himself
foeman worthy of the lawyers steel
WAS 1T TgoPER?
Mr.. Wendenburg unfortunately made
an insinuation against the propriety OF
q minister leaving his pulpit TO prosecute
fakirs IT the Fair -
Mr.. Christians reply came like missile
from a catapult, and slenced the lawyer
guns the first shot. Every such eneToach-
Ynent upon the cloth was promptly re-
scented. and the minister very emphati-
cally announced that he would willingly
assume the role OF detective or anything
else that is right to uphold the law ana ,rS
Wendenburg later on I'm the examination
that the reverend gentlemen should not
sermonize In court elected from the WI,
Rev. r. T. Dadmun was the next wit
ness. and described the game and the
taking away Of the bag Of money by one
by Colonel Spotswood and when that
gentlemen undertook TO question his po-
sition on the. gambling question, he re-
time. Colonel spotswoo1 attempted to
throw the responsibility on the president
Of the society, but Mr. Dadmun said he
had seen MIR. Wood violate no law. ana
he had seen the accused violate the law
on the preceding day
Mr. Wendenburg also found him
formidable witness Mr.. Wendenburg re-
ferred TO Mr.. Dadmun's following the
money. Mr. Dadmun replied that he (Mr.
Wendenburg) was welcome TO the insinua-
ton of his following the money, and he
was willing 10 risk HIS character on that
Issue before the people.
Mr. Wendenburg reminded him that the
informer got one-half the fine In suHh
cases Mr.. Dadmun. said he had not
thought OF the informer getting half for
fAr rAt.sr an toll 1t th. 1a.s
You can 20 home now. Doctor" said
Mr.. Wendenburg. we are through with
you permanently
Mr.. Dadmun replied that he would 60
home Just when 1t suited his convenience,
and would so where he could do good,
THy CONSTABLE.
Constable samuels. In his evidence. said
he had been publicly accused of being
under the. influence Of liquor when he
allowed Harry Stoner,' tn. escaped prls-
the charge. Mr.. Christian just as publicly
npoiogf2ed and sought the forgiveness OF
MT. Samuels later, when he found he was
Mr. W, T. Cavedo another witness.
claimed 20 have been victimized by the
Stoners 10 the extent OF $3.50 He said he
had been Induced to try his luck by the
opportunities of the suave falxir. who as
sured MIN that it was simply a Church
far. game" Harry Stoner the accused,
iried TO make this impression on the mag
kudte also.
AT the conclusion OF Stoners testi-
money Mr.. Lewis l.. Belts. from whom
The accused had secured the privilege Of
condncting this game on the ground,,
testify. he claimed that himself. Colonel
Murphy or President Wood. Of the Agi-
cultural Society, We're responsible for The
presence OF the game on the grounds
rather man the prisone". The p;o.e.u.
ZION OBJECTED to Mr.. Belts testimony, and
the Justice sustained the objection
ASKED ron DISMISSAL.
Colonel Spotswood asked that the case
De dismissed, claiming that no case had
been made out, and that Tor every chance
MI. Wendenburg stated that n the
commonwealth would agree 10 ah,rdrn
ms case he would pledge his word that
an Gam h OF any character whatever
Mr. Christian said he had no intention
OF lhnlcung any hardship on Mr.. Stoner
or any one else. They were only seeking
10 uphold the law.
society that he would do all In his power
10 suppress gaming, and he could not
consent to the case being dismls ,ed.
sr suSiicG Iyler sent the case tn to the
sSW Tor his appearance before the No
!, ssmber grand jury. Mr.. l.. l.. Betts going
MS security.
THE HoUCHE CoUCHE MAN.
the Houche- Couche dance man was
next examined. Mr.. j. II. Perdue and
Revs: Dadmun and Christian testified 10
the Objectionable words of invitation used
exhibition. 40 '''
W. ID. Westman, the Snowman. made
an extensive speech. which was a. com
OF soft solder and insolence
neither OF which made a good impression.
Messrs. Wendenbu-g and Spotswood
also represented Westlake. Mr.. Sands
prosecuted.
The crusade" against the gamblers,
with the exception of the announcement
they received from The Times, was made
almost independently and alone by Rev.
w. Asbury Christian Rev. h. 4. Dad |
nun. and Rev. j. w. Moore.
The hope of suppressing the iawless-
ness through the officers OF the EXPOSE |
ton was abandoned after President |
Woods card. disclaiming responsibility. |
That gentleman responded, however,
With commendable promptncss when Mr.
Christian made his complaint, and went |
with him to find a magistrate. The coun- |
~ authorities took prompt measures. and |
there are now no games at the Fair /
Grounds prohibited by law.
Some people are still wondering what |
the Richmond police are on the Fair |
Grounds for.