Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-02-06
1T WAS TOO DAM
The Weather Caused Light Police
Court.
An Exhibit of Bottles in o RoOm-The
Sentences Imposed by
the Judges.

Last nights heavy rain storm had the
effect Of not only giving the sewers a
thorough cleaning. but also keeping the
law breakers with a comparatively clean
record for one night during their natural
lives. Then, too. the police had to do the
best they could to get out Of the rain for a
few minutes at a time, and If there was
much lawbreaking the offenders took care
to engage in the street brawls at times
when the storm was the most severe, for
the arrests were few, and there was no
need for using extra cell room because of
the excessive number of prisoners. There
were less than two dozen prisoners in the
stations at midnight. Among them were
several alleged tramps, who had been
driven In by the storm. Most of them had
applied at one or more of the charitable in
situations, and had been turned away be-
cause the accommodations were INSULT
Gent, and, being SO downcast, several Of
them requested that they be sent down, not
knowing. of course, that their being sent
down would be followed by their being
sent out to work in a mud bank where
they might earn their fish, meat, soup and
bread.
But this morning they had changed their
minds, and were willing once more to go
out In the world and brave the weather
conditions. Evidence against some of them
was, however, of such a character that
Judge Kimball could not see his way clear
to release them, ard they will shovel
mud fer some days to come.
There is ore room in the court building
where the tramps would have had en-
joyable time had Prosecuting Attorney
Pugh admitted them to 1t. The little room
has every appearance of a "speak-easy,"
for there are bottles of every kind and de-
scription set in row on table, and are
Wine" but the bottles containing the
liquid are to be used in evidence in liquor
cases, and until the cases are heard no one
will be permitted to handle the evidence.
There is one bottle in the room labeled
Wine" which is to be used in an Ana
costa liquor case, but time proves that the
alleged liquid was cider, and it has now
turned to vinegar. But the tramps We're
not given these liquid refreshments, so that
when the procession moved in court they
were all sober and there was no disorder.
Guests of the City.
Wilson Cuttings, a printer, who has but one
arm and who says his home is in Georgia
was in the procession on charges because he
was found very much under the influence of
liquor yesterday.
when 1 came here" said the prisoner
Il had three dollars in my pocket and paid
my way, but when ran out of funds l was
compelled to ask for assistance. For two
days 1 have visited job printing offices, but
could not get work"
But" interrupted the court. you could
get drunk"
Yes, your honor" said the printer, II
was treated by some of the printers
Where is your homer"
I'm Savannah, Ga"
why don't you return there?'
II am going to return as soon as I get
"will you leave before II o'clock if 1 let
you go?''
yes. SIR
His personal bonds were taken.
George kaSile, stranger in the city, who
had INDUCED in too much spirits last even
ing, was in the procession because he was
found lying OIL the sidewalk.
I'm guilty of that charge he responded
when the clerk arraigned him on a charge
Of street obstruction.
Five dollars or fifteen days"
John o Brien, one of the many guests of
the city, was next called to the bar of JUS
tice, and when arraigned as a vagrant he
entered a plea of guilty.
Hes been here before said the officer,
land your honor took his personal bonds.
That was about two weeks ago"
What was he doing this time?" asked
the court.
''Begging."
"Why did you not leave the city when you
were released before?" asked the court.
Il did leave" he answered. Il went to
Newport News looking for work and now
I'm on my homeward journey"
You may resume your homeward Journey
him, and he went down.
Game of Crap.
George Robinson, Andrew Thomas and
Armstrong Parker composed trio of South
Washington colored representatives who
had either disturbed a religious gathering.
played a game of crap, or discussed the
ground hog on Van street.
You are each charged with disorderly
conduct q ssre friIi1f
not guilty?"
Il amt guilty" answered one member
of the trio.
"And 1 want there" said another.
Neither was L. was the plea Of the third
member.
These prisoners" said Policeman Greer,
have been in the habit of playing crap On
Van street, and Monday saw them in the
game
did you see the bones?" the court in
terrupted.
Yes. SIR he answered; "and saw them
engaged in the game. Religious services
are held on Van street, AMI these crap
shooters disturb the meetings so much that
the mission workers have made COM
plants"
1--WE heard complaints about the Gran
shooters" said Officer Roberts. but I've
never been able 20 catch them"
The prisoners then made their state
ments.
Il wasn't there said one of them: II
was hauling ashes with my aunt's gray
horse Monday"
Judge, your honor" said another of the
trio Il was on the corner talking about
the ground hog, but as far as shooting
crap, 1 didn't even see the bones.'
The third member Of the little party
made similar statement
Rev. John Richards, who is pastor of a
church in that section of the city, yolun-
teered to give some evidence for Arm
strong Parker.
Il don't believe he shoots crap" said the
colored divine, ''for he is convert, and
was received into my church Sunday.
Since 1 have been down there I have
broken up as many as fifty games of crap. !"
That's good work. said the court '.for
these crap games are very demoralizing to
the young men,
The prisoners were each fined $40 or thirty
days.
Other Cases.
Charles Bell and William Saunders, young
coiored men, were in court for dsorderly,
and when they said guilty" the court said
Five dollars"
Il have three dollars" said Bell, land if
your honor will take that and trust me I'll
bring you the other So"
Make the fine So said the Judge. and
Bell purchased his liberty.
In Judge MillerS court John Hume COL
ored, appeared on a charge of having ill
treated his wife, Maria Hume, who appear
ed as witness against him. His mother
in IN nVrN