The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-12-29
SHOOK THE JuRY's HANDS.
Acquitted Gamblers Thank the Ju-
rors Who Found Them Not Guilty.

rors Who Found Them Not Guilty.
John H. Monahan, Ed A. Marcus and
MAZE Henderson, three well-known sports
of the green cloth fraternity, were tried
in the superior court yesterday on the
charge Of keeping a gaming house, the
charge dating back almost year.
The charge was based on testimony
given before the grand jury by Charles
Dickens, who pleaded guilty to the charge
Of being proprietor of the house about sew
en- months ago, and who said they put him
forward to take the burden on himself.
telling him they would stand by him.
Dickens was fined $1,000 or sentenced to
spend twelve months in Jail. The fine was
not paid and Dickens IS still In Jail, serv-
theugb tbere %s some IRe } afS yeno ~
Dickens testimony, and after considering
the case about ten minutes brought in
verdict of not guilty.
Messrs. Kenan & Hartridge appeared to
represent the defendants, the case being
called up at this time because of the fact
That Mr.. OSBORNE is not qualified to repre-
sent the state, because he was the former
counsel for the defendants. The case was,
therefore, tried for the state by MIR. Fra
ser.
AT the outset the defendants moved for
the continuance of the case on the ground
OF the sickness of Ernest Massart, also
one OF the defendants, whom they stated
was their principal and strongest witness.
certificate from Dr. George II. Stone
10 the effect that he could not attend court
on account of sickness was also presented.
The defendants in their motion charged
that the prosecution was a scheme of
blackmail on the part of Dickens, by
whom the house was really conducted,
and who employed all the help. Accord
ing TO HenderSon'S statement on the wit
ness stand, however he and others
brought Dickens to Savannah from the
north.
Dickens story of the affair is that when
the case against the house came up be-
10 nd iI1px Tar Nfa11l 1a,a ri
Henderson put him forward and told him
II he would stand all the racket, they
would stand by him and see him through.
He went ahead, he says, and after he was
indicted, pleaded guilty confidently ex-
pecting. that they would pay his fine and
have him released This, however, they
did not do, and then he went before the
grand jury and made the charge that they
were principals along with him in con-
Quoting the house.
All of the defendants swore they had
nothing whatever to do with the place,
and they brought up. the former employee
of the house to testify that Dickens had
endeavored to bride him into swearing
against them. The jury, IL appears, con-
sidered there was some venom in Dickens
testimony, and returned the verdict as
stated.
queer and very peculiar proceeding
followed the acquittal of these men, noto-
riously known as members of the sport
ing fraternity. AS the members of the jury
left their seats they passed the defend:
ants, who warmly shook the hands OF
cdSn OiAS VI tAAG LWClNCs
Outside of the trial of the parties
charged with keeping a gaming house,
there were only a few small matters that
came UP in the superior court. A Judg-
ment for 1925 was rendered in favor of
the Germania Bank against the chatham
Brewing Company.
mortgage in favor OF Flora MAX
against Nathan Max on a stock of goods
at Harris and Jefferson streets, given to
secure an indebtedness of $1SS5, was fore
closed.
In the city court, James Mitchell plead
ed guilty to the charge of carrying con-
cealed weapons, and was sentenced to pay
a fine of $25 anu costs or spend six months
on the chain-gang.
The trial of the suit of ]. J. Tremble
against the Florida Central and Peninsu-
lar railroad for $4,000 damages for inju-
ries received in the May. week accident
by Messrs. MacDonel and Gordon and the
defendants by Messrs. Denmark, Adams
q Freeman.
In the court Of ordinary the will of Mrs.
Mary A. Prendergast was filed and pro-
bated in common form and letters testa-
mentary were granted to Charles f. Prem
dergast. The heirs under the will are Mrs.
Prendergast's children.
The will of John Neill was filed and pro-
bated in common form. All of his prop
erty is left to his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth
NELL.
There were thirty-seven liquor dealers
registered in the court of ordinary yester-
day. Under the law, all those who expect
to carry on the business during the year
1897 are required to register.