Evening star., 1896-07-30
DISCUSSED LYNCHING
Lawyers and Prisoner Were in the Same
Fix.
The Cases Tried and the Sentences
Indicted by the Judge-Men
Talked Too Much.

early morning session took part In a dis
cussicn Of the Seat Pleasant tragedy and
the general subject Of lynch law.
When Judge Miller reached court he
found seventeen prisoners in the District
procession only two Of them being white
Arthur Clayton. colored. was the leader
Of the procession. and his appearance re-
suited from his participation In a discus
sion about the Maryland tragedy.
They were discussing the question OF
lynching Jim Smith," said Policeman War
rem, land he said he didn't think Smith
ought to be lynched.'
did he say anything other than talk
about lynching?" interrupted the court.
''Yes, sir" the officer answered. He was
drunk and was very profane."
Deed wasn't drunk" said the prisoner
and I hadn't been drinking. II l was
swearing hope the Lord may never let me
leave here alive lady had sent me to
the saloon, and I didn't even open my
mouth"
The officer repeated his statement and
fine Of 81 was imposed.
Il don't know what / was arrested Ior,
said Benjamin johnson, a big colored man.
You are charged with disorderly con-
duct he was told Are you guilty or not
guilty?''
Not bit Of It,"
johnson was drunk and disorderly last
night" said the officer in the case. He
was making lots Of noise and I was told
that he had run his family out Of the
house"
We'll; Ben," said the court "were you
'Of course 1 had been drinking" he an
swered You see. I'm rag man and
stone breaker, and when I had sold my
rags l treated and got treated
And then caused trouble?
II talks loud anyhow"
Tfis time he did 50 worth Of talking
oct of tpa hn will DR. nk
water.
They Talked Loud.
Charles H. Diggs, a colored man who
has lived in this world for more than
thirty years, was in the tolls this morning
for the first time, and his appearance was
the result Of a combination of liquid re-
f1eshnents and trouble with street car
COZ ductor At Takoma transfer junction
This is the first time have ever been in
court, said the prisoner, Il had some
pears and the conductor told me not to be
SO slow getting Off the car
And you couldn't leave without using
loud language and profanity"
A fine of 81 was imposed.
sam Cook, a colored man, thought he
was innocent of the charge against him.
He was talking loud enough to be heard
square away" said the officer, land his
language was not the choicest"
Il was only telling my brother Joke"
sale the defendant, "and the policeman ar
The judge failed to see where the Joke
came in and fined the prisoner s. or nine
days.
John McHenry one of the two white men
In the procession. pleaded drunkenness as
an excuse for his offense, in addition to
Saying Il live in Georgetown"
He was on the street drunk and beg
he was from Georgetown I started him
home. Later l saw him again and ar
rested him
His plea Of drunkenness was not ac-
cepted and he was sent down for thirty
days.
No Home or Friends.
I IL m sick and weak" said Barney
o OBrien, an aged Irish citizen, who has been
IN this country less than a year, land I'm
row trying to get back to the old coI,ntrv -
i found the old man in lexington early
this morning." said Policeman Evans IT
think his mind Is affected, and he needs
treatment"
Are you scko' the court asked him.
I'm a sick man." he answered. Il went
to divine service and vas taken with a
FEELING in my head. When l left the SER
vice lost two pals of blood, and now I'm
very weak, indeed"
Have you any place to go?"
To tell you the truth the old man an
swered. Il have neither home friends
here
He was sent to the hospital for treatment:
James Wilson, another white man. was
brought into court before adjournment Ills
father. who lives Good Hope Hill, had
caused his arrest, on a charge Of disorderly
conduct
II support him. said the father, but he
gets dunk ard threatens me, and l had to
do this for self-protection."
The young man made a statement In his
own behalf, and the court fined him $40 or
thirty days.
Thomas Wise, a man without a home,
was sent down for thirty days
How old are you?" George johnson,
colored. was asked.
Fourteen years. was his response.
"And he was in game of crap Sunday"
1.-TWO dollars"
Wilson Hughes a colored boy who rode
on an electric car when he was not pas
senger thereon, was fined So or Six days.
Jennie johnson, the only colored girl in
the procession, was charged with vagrancy
She is only twelve years old, but the police
say she is immoral. Last night she was
seen going in an office building on F street
with a merchant, according to the police
mans complaint, and when sne came out
he ARE sted her. Judge Miller thought the
policeman should also have captured the
man. The girl was sent to the reform
school.
All White Pine Doors. soc