Arizona republican., 1895-04-06
ONE AMBER DIE.
The Right of Property
Established.
The Duties of the Boost
er Defined.
A Spread of General Informa-
ton on Craps.
A Case Involving so Cents and a
Moral Principle, Is Deter
mined by Law.


tried and decided in Justice Johnstone's
court yesterday. At cost, including
attorneys fees and costs, amounting in
all to about $3.50, the sacred right of
property, even though the property be
an amber die of the value of so cents,
was established. But this is pretty
we'll understood principle. The edify-
ing feature of the case, though, was the
dissemination of information on the
subject of the exciting and intellectual
game of craps.
J. B. Brandon was on trial charged
by G. H. Hirschfeld, proprietor of the
Palace, with having taken, stolen and
crrried away with felonious intent con-
trary to the statutes in such cases made
and provided and against the peace and
dignity of the territory OF Arizona and
with calculation to subvert the con-
stitutlon of the United States and all
other regulations for the preservation
of good order and to plunge the world
in chaotic anarchy, one die of the yalu-
alton of 30 cents.
The ofense was committed several
days ago but in order that popular feel
ing against the prisoner might have
time to subside in order that he might
be given opportunity for fair and i'm
partial trial, the case was continued
from day to day.
By yesterday morning all traces of
popular frenzy which had threatened
the defendant with mob violence had
been efaced and the populace was en-
abled to view the situation with calm
ness end equanimity.
There was lavish display of legal
talent. The territory was represented
by Judge Israel, ing for the district
attorney, and arrayed about the pale
and trembling prisoner were Judge
Woodward, Al. Daggs and Fl G. Magne.
The story OF the outrage is as follows:
1t appeared that the defendant was en-
gagged with various other persons in
wooing fortune on the curved side of a
crap table. A dispute arose between
him and the croupier, gentleman
| named Ramsey, who refused to pay
bet OF 81, which the defendant believed
he had won. Ihe defendant, having no
other recourse, seized one of the dice
and agreed to sell it to the dealer for
a dollar. His proposition was rejected
with contempt and he went away carry
ing the purloined die. As soon as the
house recovered from the stunning
effect OF the disaster an appeal was
made to the authorities and the male
factor, Brandon, was lodged in Jail.
The investigation Of the case brought
out many interesting and hidden
points in the game of craps. Croupier
Ramsey was put on the stand as the
principal witness. He was used by the
defense as an expert witness and dur
ing his examination G great deal was
developed concerning the "field," the
''line, fright, "neturals" and other
technical things about the game. The
"booster" and his office was discovered.
The booster, it turns out, is not like
the ''capper" and the ''stool pigeon" a
mere promoter of confidence; he is not
necessarily on the inside, but his busi-
ness is to rush to the rescue whenever
the game appears to lag, and he plays
furiouslv for the purpose OF melting
| others, or as Croupier Ramsey clearly
put it, to keep the game agoing."
The booster in this instance was a ven
erabe and spirituelle looking gentle
man named Andy Rymer.
1t was also shown that there are
| greater odds against player in a crap
game than are generally imagined and
the defense attempted 10 show that the
| Palace crap game management dlasatis-
fed with the natural advantages in its
| favor had sought to increase them by
| using untrue dice. That is dice that
were not perfect cubes but solids which
may be described as having six sides,
| four of which we're trapeziums.
Testimony on this subject wss at first
excluded as irrelevant but the die it
self was later put in evidence end care
fully measured. No startling dis
| closures resulted.
| The evidence was concluded late in
the afternoon and the legal battle be-
tween Messrs. Woodw and Daggs on
one side and Israel on the other began.
1t was marked by bitter personal re-
fections, showing that the gentlemen
were really interested in it and dis
posed to earn their fees. Mr.. Magne
took no active part in the contest, but
busted himself in a desultory skirmish
on the outskirts and keeping his col
leagues supplied with amnfunjt ton in
the shape of poison tipped law points.
After it was all over and amid breath
less silence the defendant was con-
victed. Sentence was deferred until
this morning and all night long he was
| guarded to prevent an attenOf tn pc.