Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1896-11-06
WHAT WE ARE COMING TO.

Advance Report Of Police Court Case In
the Year 1905.
"What Is the CHARGE" asked the judge.
"The prisoner is charged" answered
the clerk, with violation of the pedestrian
law and with criminal negligence result
ing in injuries to one Thomas Wheeler.
The officer who made the arrest was
sworn.
"What is your nameS'
"Patrick McSpoke, lieutenant.
"You belong to the Riverside Cycle
squadS"
Eyes, your honor"
''Relate the particulars of the arrest.
''At half past 6 yesterday afternoon"
stated the lieutenant, "while on duty near
the Thirty fourth cycle relief house, my
attention was attracted by cries Of dismay
and terror from near BY Quickly pedaling
my way through the throng, found that
the prisoner had climbed the fence divid-
ing the street from the sidewalk and was
attempting to cross the boulevard. He
had reached the middle and had already
collided with several cyclers when 1 saw
him. I blew my whistle for assistance,
and Officers O'Pedal and Merlin rode
paused directly in the middle of the street,
and he stood there motionless, striking
terror to the hearts of approaching cyclers.
One Thomas Wheeler, who was coming
down the street, did not see the prisoner
until about 10 feet distant. He Immediate
ly attempted to avoid the prisoner by turn
ing to the left. At the same moment the
prisoner stepped backward. Wheeler then
turned sharply to the right and the pris-
oner stepped forward again. At that mo-
ment the two came together and Wheeler
was thrown violently from his wheel, re-
ceiving severe injuries about the face and
upper part of the body. The prisoner was
knocked down by the collision into the
track of several riders who were also
thrown from their wheels and more or less
severely bruised. The cycle ambulance
was quickly summoned and Wheeler was
conveyed to the Third District Cycle hos
pital. The prisoner was Immediately tax
en- into custody"
Lieutenant McSpoke stepped down and
the prisoner took the stand. He was
slight, middle aged man and bore terrible
evidences of his crime. His face was band
aged so that only one eye and bit of his
nose were visible as he hobbled painfully
to the stand on crutches.
"Your names" asked the judge.
Henry Foote. T"
"You have heard the evidence of Officer
McSpoke?"
'Have you anything to say in extenua.
ton of your crime?"
"Well, your honor, 1t was like this: I
Ill a FvsD 4 Del
to take dinner with him. was unayoid
ably delayed and it was rs minutes after
when left the house. live almost OPP
posite the Thirty fourth rest house and
there is no pedestrian bridge nearer than
six blocks in either direction. My friends
house was almost opposite and was late,
and SO IL thought l could cross the
boulevard all right, as there were few cy-
clers in sight ut the moment. l got over
the fence and had reached the middle Of
the street when the sound Of a bell being
loudly rung short distance away confused
me, and stopped. The bicyoler continued
to ring, and stepped backward to get out
of his way. At the same time he swung to
the left, and stepped forward again. He
then turned to the right and-and that's
all l remember until found myself in the
cycle patrol. "
"You knew, presume, that it Is against
the law to walk upon the streets set aside
for the exclusive use Of bicyclers9" asked
the Judge
Eyes, your honor, but there were SO few
cyclers in sight, and was in hurry, and
the nearest bridge was six blocks up
town.
''That will do. Your excuse is extremely
weak. This city has been terrorized long
enough by pedestrians of your stamp, who
entertain neither regard for the law nor
pity for their victims. shall sentence you
to the fullest extent in the hope that your
case may prove an example to Others You
are therefore sentenced to six months in
Jail and to pay fine Of $500. only re-
greet that the law does not provide severer
penalty. Call the next case"
And the evening papers headed 1t can
other Pedestrian Outrage. - Richard
Stillman Powell in Truth.