Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-17
POLICE COURT BALL
Quite an Interesting Procession Before
the Judges.
Some Went Down and Some Got Of
Humorous and Sad Scenes
Displayed Today.


were not at the police ball last night, but
they led the grand march in Judge Kim
balls court this morning and said mot
guilty" when arraigned on a charge OF
vagrancy and suspicion. The young men
were well dressed and had been arrested
by Detectives Weldon and Horne because
of their alleged connection with crooked
transaction at the Alexander Island race
track. They came from New York to
spend their time about the race track, and
the officers have seen them over there a
number of times.
'They are known as 'contouts,'" said
Detective Weldon, who also told of their
conduct about the race track.
Have they any means of support here?"
the judge asked.
"None whatever" the officer responded
In making their statements to the court
the men admitted that they came here be-
cause Of race track attraction and had
been over at the track almost every day. .
Il have given men tips on the races,
said Hartm: n, land had them bet money,
but I've not done anything wrong"
Where are you from?' he was asked
New York. was his response; land I
have a wife, child and mother to support.
"And what about you?" Lewis was asked.
I'm a theatrical man, friend of Hart
MANS" he answered, and he denied that
he had been doing anything wrong.
I'VE have no use here for such men as
you," the judge told them. This city is
getting to he a great gathering place for
such people, and will say now that there
is no room here for men who get their
living by their wits
IF you let us go this time" said one of
the prisoners. I'VE will leave the city and
return to New York.
But" said Judge Kimball, I'VE want
men of your stripe to understand that an
arrest means more than getting out of the
city"
IF your honor will release them,'' said
one of the officers, 'Ill see that they leave
the city,
They were thereupon released.
Was Indifferent.
Charles Smith, also a stranger, vas in
the procession as a vagrant, and he seemed
totally Indifferent concerning the action of
the court. He is sixteen years old. He says
he is from Ohio, but is bound for no par
ticuar place.
How long have you been here?" he was
asked
"One week." was his response.
Where have you been since you left
homer
No place in particular"
why don't you return homer
II have written to my father, and am
waiting for an answer.
He said he expected his letter to be sent
to saloon on Louisiana avenue, and he
had to select the saloon, as at other places
he had been refused
do you expect any money from homer
mo, sir"
Then you had better start to walk
home" the Judge told him.
Well" said the boy, IN do whatever
you say" and he started to walk home
There We're four defendants in the next
case, and they are all strangers here. Last
night they went to the station and asked
for a nights lodging. They were accom-
modated.
hnrn n
News" said one of the men, speaking for
his companions and himself.
why are you going there?" the court
asked
ITO look for work.
What kind of work.
I'm the ship yards"
The other men had nothing to say, and
the court gave them ten days each.
A man thought to be an Italian was in
the procession for vagrancy.
He was in Mount Pleasant begging and
Policeman Mcdonald, who arrested him,
was unable to understand what he said.
An interpreter called by the court sug-
gested the belief that the mans mind is
ursound, and he was committed for
mental examination.
Was Sent Down.
Michael Poore, resident of this city,
was in court today because of his intem-
perate habits.
Hes been drinking for some days." Po-
liCeman Lynch told the court. His broth
err keeps a store and if he would work
there he would have a good home, but he
prefers loafing about the streets to doing
a little work.
Michael was satisfied to go down, and
the judge gave him ten days.
Michael Lanbady has made the work
house his home for several years, but last
night when he went to the third precinct
he was not known, and the officer register
ed his name as Michael Healy.
But Judge Kimball recognized Mike, and
gave him ten days On the farm.
Mary Jordan, a colored woman who has
lived in the Division" only a few weeks,
was sent down for thirty days.
A cclc1e ed man named Richard A. Davis
brought up the rear of the line.
He had been summoned as a witness in
Judge Millers court, but he made SO much
noise in court that he was arrested.
To Judge Kimball he attempted to make
stump speech, in which he denied the
statement that he was drunk, and said:
I'm as sober as the judge"
He begged the courts pardon for what he
had done, and said he vas ready to pay
the charges.
"And 1 don't care how much the charge
is. Make out your bill and I'll pay it,
''Ten dollars"
That's all right" said the prisoner I'll
pay it, l can be led but I'll not be driven"
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY.