Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-03-22
MYSTERIOUS LIQUIDS
Hard to Find Just What Robert To,son
Did Sell.
The Jury, However, Say 1t Was In.
Observation-Disclosures Eject of
One Drink on Old Soldiers.


store on the Rock Greek Church road, and
week ago the officers on duty there had
reason to believe. as they supposed, that
ne was conducting a "speak-easy." They
had seen soldiers go in his place. and,
thinking they had sufficient proof on which
to secure conviction in the Police Court,
a warrant was obtained and the case called
In Judge Millers court yesterday afternoon.
John Wilson and Hugh Wilson were the
witnesses on whom the District had to
rely to make out their case. and so they
were sworn with Policeman Mcnamara
to tell the truth, the whole truth ami moth
ing but the truth.
Attorney Leon Tobriner, who appeared
for the defendant entered a plea OF not
guilty, and at his suggestion the witnesses
were separated.
The policeman was first called to the
stand. and he told of the location of the
road. but counsel did not question him con-
corning the sale of intoxicants there
Felt the Effect.
Hugh Wilson Is an inmate of Soldiers
Home, and he appeared as an unwilling
witness against Mr.. Tolson. He was dress
ed in the blue suit such as Is worn by the
inmates OF the home. In giving his evil
dence he had to be reminded of the fact
that unless he answered the questions and
jail.
Then the witness Strengthened I'D and
answered what questions he was asked in
a more satisfactory way
Il was in Tolson's that night" he said
and had some drinks"
But ne insisted that he lid not know
whether the liquor was whisky or wine
but. to the best Of his belief, he thought
1t was whisky.
know II made me drunk" he said,
'and l fell In the road"
How did you get back homer"
In cart"
was not an expert in the matter of intoxi-
cants. but he knew that soon after he had
the drinks and went out he fell down.
Size for Hair OIL.
John Williams. another inmate Of the
home. was called. and he tried to enlighten
the court about the taking of the testi-
mony OF man who had been drinking, and
Judge Miller told him what he told the
previous witness. that If he did not tell the
whole truth the court would find a way to
make him. But John would not say that
he got whisky in Tolson's. He went in
there and gave him a SO bill. as he owed
him for some candy.
Il got two drinks in q glass" was his
response to a question asked by the court
And what was in the glass?"
There might have been lauial um in the
mixture" he answered, for 1 went out
know i got in the guard house"
Judge Miller then endeaTored to ascer-
tain from witness the size of the glass;
but the witness did ms best to evade the
question.
oh, it's tie size you see everywhere"
For what is that size glass used?'
oh. for most anything.
We'll, for what?'
The witness stammered little and then
answered, the size that hair oil is some
times put In
He showed the height of the glass, salts
flying the court and jury that ne had been
talking about the ordinary whisky glass
Then the court made another attempt to
learn something of the nature of the liquid
In which the old soldier INDUCED.
Something like the mixture taken for
colds he tried to explain.
What kind of a drink is thar
oh, it's composition and cayenne pep
per-
Composition of whatr'
oh. composition like the druggist fur
nishes. l believe it's made Of powder in
some water and red pepper"
Then 1t was hot?'
Witness said he had been In the city
drinking during the evening. He had in
dulsed in some beer and whisky, and had
d bottle of whisky in his pocket. The
whisky he drank In licensed places ne knew
all about, but what he got in the alleged
speak easy he could tell nothing
Before leaving the stand witness said he
oid not want 10 say anything against the
defendant.
Il was pressed to come here" he said.
For Family Use.
MIR. Tobriner asked that the case be
taken from the jury on the evidence pre-
scented by the District. but Judge Miller
did not grant the notion, and the defend
ant went on the sta1d.
What did you furnish these Witnesses"
he was asked.
Soda and ginger ale" ne answered
I'm what kind Of slasses?'
What call pony beer glasses the de-
PENDANT answered. And they mixed the
drinks backwards and forwards"
On cross-examination the defendant said
he keeps candy store ON Rock Creek
Church road. and there he sells candy to
school children"
do the soldiers eat candy?'
Yes, sir. they eat cough drops and that
kind of candy"
Defendant was hen asked about the
presence of Intoxicating liquors ON his
premises, and he said he bought beer by
the case and whisky by the half gallon and
gallon for family use
Hoy many persons are there in your
family"
My wife. child and mother-in-law"
and do they all drink
Yes, sir. they take bottle Of beer some
times
Then he told Mr.. ;'ugh that yesterday
was his child's birthday, and lie treated
his friends to something strong TO drink,
opening a bottle of kimmel in addition to
the other drinks
The case was submitted without argu-
ment and the jury returned verdict of
guilty.
MIR. Tobriner gave notice OF a motion for
a new trial.
ODD FELLOWS ANNIVERSARY.
The Route of the Parade and Exer-