Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-07-06
JUDGE KlMBALL'S COURT
Sad Case of Young Woman and Strong
Drink.
First Ofense Other Cases In the
Police Court Today II Long
Line of Prisoners.

Louis La Belle, an old soldier, headed the
procession In Judge Kimbalrs court this
morning, and plead guilty to a charge of
vagrancy.
This man has been here before" re-
marked Judge Kimball. What is the mat
ter with him this time?"
Same old disease" said Policeman Mans
field. Drunk. and wants to go down. Last
night he surrendered, ard said he wanted
to go down until next pension day, in Sep
tember'
This is only a repetition of the same old
story, the court remarked THESE old
soldiers get Their pension money, and then
go off and get drunk. When their money Is
gone they want the District to support
them. 1t is high time that this is being
stopped and l think 1 had better give this
man more time than he wants"
Judge. your honor" said the old soldier,
give me sixty days this time, and when
l get out l will let whisky alone. When l
get my next pension l am going to the Day
ton. Ohio, Soldiers Home. and remain
there
That's what you had best do" said the
judge, for l have no faith in your prom
ises about letting liquor alone
The old man was given thirty days more
than he wanted, and he went down to wear
the stripes.
InfexibIc Judge.
There was sad sight presented when
the next case was called. The prisoner was
Mamie Curtin, daughter of Charles Curtin,
the well-known contractor.
Miss Curtin is handsome young woman,
not vet twenty-five years old. She lives at
the home of her father and keeps house for
him. Although sh, had been addicted to
drink for some months, this was her first
appearance in the Police Court procession,
where she stood in crowd of men and
women. many of them of the lowest order
she was found sleeping in an areaway
on Myrtle street about IL o'clock last
night" said a policeman. she was !ntox-
icGted, and did not know where she as
Il was not drunk said the young wo-
man, who showed keenly her feelings over
her sad experience I'm not a vagrant,"
she added. Il have a father and a good
home. He supports me-.
But you were drunk last night?" queried
the court.
NO, sir she responded; Il was not
drunk last night"
roborated the evidence given by his brother
OFFICER
Persons in court who heard the case
thought that as it was her first appearance
the court would say to ner words of en-
coura cement and release her on her per-
sonal bonds. They thought that her sad
experience had been enough OF q lesson to
her, but Judge Kimball held her guilty of
the charge of vagrancy, and imposed a
sentence of thirty days in default of real
estate security.
When Prosecuting Attorney Pugh came
into court he called Judge Kimbairs at
tention to the case. He said he had inquir-
ed into the case and had learned that it
was the young woman's first offense. and
he suggested that she be released on her
personal bonds and not sent down. He
thought it was case in which the woman
should not be sent to the workhouse.
i think this is not case in which the
defendant should be released. The officers
said she had been on spree for month.
and Ole of them said she was a woman of
bad reputation, and she will have to give
bond"
will your honor set aside the sentence
ard let me nolle pros. the case?" Mr. Pugh
asked
But Judge Kimball would not consent to
do this.
fore the paper was sent into court" said
Mr.. Pugh, Il would not have filed the
charge"
Judge Kimban declined to reopen the
case at that time. Later in the day, how
ever, he released the woman on her per-
sonal bonds.
Other Cases.
Next in line came a colored woman nam
ed Ella Randolph, a resident of Louise al
ley. who had been liz court many times be-
fore. The proof against her was entirely
different from that against Mamie Curtin.
living about the South Washington alleys.
ana she WIS given sixty days on the farm
in default Of security.
Sarah Cartec a colored woman arrested
on NJ street for ,lisorderly conduct, came
next. and she said guilty.
Before the usual fine ives imposed. Police
man Maher SAID he desired to speak.
After l arresSed this woman she con-
tinued to use bad and abusive language"
This thing of persons swearing while
under arrest said the court. ought to be
stopped. This woman is fined $40 or thirty
days"
Lewis r. Dangeriield, little colored man
who was arrested on Patterson street yes
terday. was a member of the procession.
He had been guilty of gross indecency, and
a policeman and several witnesses were in
court TO give evidence against him.
The evidence was of a character that no
doubt was left in the mind of the court
concerning the guilt of the prisoner.
This case" said the court lis one of
gross indecency, and one in which the
highest fine must be imposed"
sentence of $3.50 or six months was i'm
posed.