Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-01-26
GYPSY JOE HIT THE PIPE
But the Question Was Whether He Al
lowed Others to Smoke.
His Trial in the Police Court Results
In an Acquittal-Judge Mil
ler's Comments.

There were three complete opium smok-
ing 'lay-outs' exhibited in the Police Court
this afternoon in the case of Israel Hep
ner, alias Gypsy Joe." charged with con-
Quoting disorderly house. Joe, it is said,
Is well supplied with this worlds goods,
but he did not have counsel to defend him.
Detective Boyd explained to the jury how
thieves visit the room and hit the pipe"
He said that the thieves go there because
they know Joe will not give them away.
Most of the pickpockets and others of this
class Of thieves, he said, smoke opium.
Witness said that Joe had been made to
leave Baltimore. and said he knew of one
woman who smoked opium in the defend
ants place. He said that when he raided
the place he found two yourg men there
who were smoking. One of them, he said,
Is the son of Congressman.
Where is he now?" the court asked.
Hes skipped out" replied Mr. Mullow-
rey
Private Detective John Lane gave SINH
lar testimony.
The defendant made wholesale denial
OF the statements made against him
Il learned to smoke opium sixteen years
ago, when was a cigar maker in Califor-
MA, ne said. Il came here six months
ago. and have lived in different places"
ANAA eAS OiuSCIS NlSlteu ms place the
other night the defendant said two Of us
smoking.
"One Of the men," he said. .is a SON Of
state Senator Mcdowell of Pennsylvania Z"
IN answer to Judge Miller's inquiries Joe
told OF the manner in which the absence
OF morphine affects him. He said he smoked
about 81 worth Of opium a week, and since
MS arrest. Monday night, he has been taking
opium pills. He denied that he was driven
OUT OF Baitimore and said he did not keep
an opium Joint. The three pipes, he said
he bought for his own use
asked '0ose
If this town don't allow me to use # III
go to Baltimore" was the reply
The town cares nothing for your .molx-
ing. said the judge But ie does care for
your teaching boys and young men to
sm 1oses M INTERRUPTED ~, TED Mr. Mullowney;
We're satisfied from the proof that this de-
PENDANT permitted persons to come in there
ana smoke, and If the smoking had a de-
moranzing erect on them, either morally
tanning nuisance. If. on the other hand
they md that he only smoke ed himself and
dlo not permit II to be done by others then
ne is not guilty. for he has constitutional
right to smoke opium.
Verdict In His Favor.
The jury returned verdict of not guilty.
Judge Miller called the defendants at
tention to the circumstances in the case and
told him If he introduced this villainous
practice in this city he will not be permitted
to remain here long enough to eat a meal.
You had better be sent out of the United
States" said the judge. than to put one
young man in the condition in which you
now are. The best thing you can do is to
leave here and go back to Baltimore"
The judge said he hoped this warning
would be sufficient to him.
IF l pursue an honest living" said the
man, Il suppose / can remain here?"
You can't open cigar store. as you
say" the judge replied, ''if you intend to
keep an opium joint in the rear"
Mr.. Mullowney said he supposed the para
phernalia would have to be turned back to
Joe.
Judge Miller said he had endeavored to
secure the passage of law to suppress
this sort of nuisance, but ne had not sue
ceeded
The manner of Joes leaving Baltimore
was discussed, and Detective Boyd told of
what he was told by Baltimore detectives
He also said that Joe knows almost every
good thief in the country.
Judge Miller spoke of the evils of the use
Of opium in this way, and recited in
stances of suffering and depredations caus-
ed by the failure of smokers to get the
drug to smoke.
In conclusion, Judge Miller said he would
like to rid the city of all such persons as
Gypsy joe" and repeated the advice given
to leave the city and return to his friends
in Baltimore.
The outfit was returned to Joe.