Evening star., 1896-07-21
POLICY Pt AYl N
John O. Nelson of jackson City Placed on
Trial.
Testimony Given to show How the
Nefarf0us Svvfndle is Conducted
by the GAM mblers.

Some OF Jackson CityS policy interests
were transferred from across the river to
Judge Miller's court this afternoon, SO 1t
was charged. and John C. Nelson, an al
legged backer Of the game. was on trial.
charged with promoting policy in the Dis
trict. 1t was not charged that he actually
operated here, but It was claimed that he
had bargained with others to look after
the interests Of the game in this city
There was not the usual number Of famil-
lar faces in court, for many OF the old
policy writers and runners have Quit the
business, while others are fugitives from
justice. and still others are in prison. Mel
son, who is better known as "Bezone"
Nelson. is the man who Is under 5000 bail
In Virginia to answer for the alleged KILL
ing of Constable Hines who participated in
a raid on Nelson's place in Jackson city
several months ago.
4 Colored Juror Challenged.
When the case was first called in court
the defendant demanded a jury trial, and
gave bond in the sum of 81 600 for his ap-
pearance. Today when the Jury was calico
Lawyer c. Maurice Smith challenged the
only colored man on the panel. and then
the jury was sworn. A plea Of not guilty
was entered, and witnesses, four colored
men. were sworn.
Prosecuting Attorney Jeffords, in his
opening, said that the defendant was
charged with promoting policy. The law.
he said, was one which should be cons strued
literally 20 prevent the evil of gathering
in the pennies and nickles from the poor
people. The proof. he thought, would
show that the defendant had four men In
his employ 20 cover the local field. and he
also expected to show that these men made
collections.
Charles Stranges, colored, was first ex-
amined. He said he had been writing plays
nd fpl inc TO a,lya IN
Nelson fer about six weeks. One day. he
said, while in jackson City. he saw Nelson
and the latter employed him to do writing
over there.
The MOdus Operandl Described.
Witness said he was promised Is cents on
dollar and was promised increase
wfIan business improved. He explained
that his writing on manifold paper made
what is known book" while the slips
he gave the customers are known as
pieces"
Witness managed to eiude the police by
walking over the bridge, going over in cars
and sometimes he went over in q hack.
His book varied from 81 to $40 a day. Wit
ness had told Nelson that he was writing
here in Washington. The money he gain
cred here, he said, he carried to Jackson
| City and turned over to Nelson, and the
latter gave him money to pay hits wherl
any We're made.
| On cross-examinaton witness said he was
| arrested for policy and taken to the police
station There he had a conversation with
Sc rgt. Moore, but the latter did not make
| him any promises in consideration OF ms
giving evidence against Nelson.
Counsel moved that the evidence or the
witness be excluded, but the motion wa:
overruled.
The witness vas recalled, and he SAID
that on two occasions he brought money
here for hits" One time woman in tht
Division" named Annie Miller, made
hit" The highest hit he ever paid wa:
| $11. He said that when he was employed
re agreement was made as to where ht
was 20 operate.
The name of Dickinson & Co, he said, Is
| on all policy drawings in the United States.
other Witnesses Testify.
Henry Ridgely, colored, who is known as
| Mouse Ridgely, was the next witness
| He said he had worked for George Smith
| a clerk for the defendant. Witness saw
the defendant and he said the latter told
him he wanted 10 city trade.
George Jacksonc coIored, testified that he
wrote policy here and took the money over
to the defendants place.
The defendant gave him a book and told
| him to write in Virginia. Witness also
made collections here in the city. He had
| talked with Nelson about the business here
and the alleged banker told him he could
do better down town than he could in any
| other section. The witness was under eX-
| animation when this report closed.