Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-08-08
CLAIMS re- aAyE BEEN DnuGeED.

The striking Experisnce Of George II.
Howard of Smyrna In Coast Resort
Lost His Money and Thinks He Was
Drugged and Robbed.
George W. Howard, resident of
Smyrna, left that town Thursday morn
ing with the intention of going to
Philadelphia. He reached Whining
ton shortly before noon and stopped off
for lunch. After he left the train he
strolled along Front street toward Mar
ket When he reached Front and Mar
ket streets he stopped in front of De-
vallinger's saloon to have his shoes
shined. The bootblack requested him
to go inside the saloon. He went and
the polish was administered to How
ards shoes inside the building.
Howard alleges that while he was in
side the saloon he was made drunk and
robbed Of something over s16, and says
he thinks that two women in the saloon
drugged the beer he drank.
Lottie Overton, white woman, and
Roxy Cammomile, colored, were
arraigned in municipal court this morn.
ing and charged with robbing Howard.
Howard said, in his statement to the
court, that after he had his shoes pol
ished the white woman approached him
and asked him TO treat her. He said
that he did so, and while they were
drinking the woman sat very close to
him. He alleged that short time after
he drank the beer he was Supplied,
but he did not see the liquor drugged.
He claimed that when he went into the
place he had over s15, and when he
went out, about o'clock last evening,
he was without penny. He don't re-
member having drank more than four
or five glasses of beer, and is sure he
did not have enough to cause him to
lose his senses. He saw Roxy" about,
but could not connect her with his
loss. He also alleged that the bartender
took his watch and refused to give it
to him and if he remembered correctly
the bartender told him he was holding
it for debt.
Jefferson ArrHuts, the bartender,
stated that Howard entered the saloon
early Thursday afternoon, and soon
after he came in he bought drinks for
the crowd. He said he thought Howard
spent the greater part of So in the place
and got very drunk. He said he took
Howard's watch to keep it from being
stolen and denied that he was holding
it for debt. He acknowledged that the
two women were in the place and said
that Howard spent his money freely on
them. He did not see Howard robbed,
but he said he had slight suspicion
after the women had left the place. Ar
rants was questioned closely by Judge
Ball and the city solicitor, and his an
swers developed the fact that the saloon
is a resort for men and women, both
white and black.
The women denied that they had
robbed Howard, but their statements
gave the saloon an unsavory reputation.
The white woman said there is
ladies entrance" on Front street,
which leads into back room, where
white and colored women congregate.
She acknowledged having drank at the
expense of Howard, but said it was on
his invitation.
Roxy pleaded not guilty, but she
stated that she was in the saloon while
Howard was there and was drinking.
She and the Overton woman seem to be
companions. Both spoke Familiarity of
the bartender as "Jeff."
After hearing all the evidence Judge
Ball said: There is not sufficient
ground in the testimony to hold these
people, but it has developed one thing,
and that is that this place should have
its license taken away. / think if all
was known in the upper court it would
not be tolerated. 1 think the license
will be taken away, at any rate. !"
The police on the district give the
saloon an unsavory reputation. One
officer stated to the reporters after the
trial, that it is one of the vilest dives
in the city. He stated that it is the
rendesvouz of the worst class of tough
men and women in the city.
Howard, the man who claims that he
was the victim of the "knock out
game" is wiser but poorer man. By
the order of the court his watch was
returned to him, but he was left penni-
less and will have to get back to his
home the best way he can. He will
probably steer clear of the coast the
next time he comes to Wilmington.