Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-03-18
STEVE PRATT DID NOT COME
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So $4,000 Left by Him Is For
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lACkE GIVEN \ VERDICT
l6nn WaIton's Body Still Waiting for Bidder.
Z Candidates Must Whack Up or Losa
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! Places in the Races.

Steve Pratt, the artistic Individual who
found sale for an alleged gold bricksin
Birmingham something more than a year
ago, failed'eto put in an appearance at
the criminal court yesterday when his
name was called for trial and forfeiture
of his bond was ordered. His attorney,
Dan Greene facetiously suggested that
the train from the east was not due until
II o'clock and the judge graciously as
sured him that If Steve came in after
dinner with a proper excuse for his tar
tliness he would set aside the forfeiture,
whereupon an audible grin went around
the room, for no one expected Pratt to
appear for trial
.a The Gold Brick Scheme.
Steve Pratts little game was the same
old thing, including a bogus indian and
assayer and other trimmings. that has
been so often exposed by the press.
scheme that would never be successful IL
every one would take the trouble to read
the daily papers,. The victim was an old
man named Dobbins, a truck gardener
living near Birmingham, who had accu-
mulated considerable money. Pratt came
here perfect stranger, scraped up an
acquaintance with Dobbins and persuad-
ed him that he was related to him. Then
he discovered a lonely Indian encamped
in the woods near by who possessed an
alleged gold brick. Dobbins was inter-
ested in the matter and then the third
actor in the play, the supposed assayist,
was introduced and he stated the brick
was worth $4,000. Dobbins gave a
check for $4,000 on the Jefferson County
Savings bank, the Indian got the Doodle
and the gang disappeared.
Pratt was subsequently arrested in
Fr.Y. iol of nd coz rad
his liberty by putting up $4,000 in cold
cesh to protect his bondsmen. Then he
skipped, and is not likely to be seen in
this neck of the woods again.
Criminal Court.
Other cases disposed of in the criminal
court were:
Lucy Edwards assault; convicted.
G.. F. Hazleton, grand larceny con-
victed. VIII Giles, tried in thehs same
case. was found not guilty.
Mac Holsteen, grand larceny; mol
pressed.
City Court.
In the first division of the city court
the trial of the case of Samuel Horshaw
against the Tennessee Coal Iron and
Railroad company for SIS, 900 damage for
personal injuries was concluded, the court
giving a general charge for the defense.
Davis Coal Mining company VS.. ,Shep-
ard Allen, suit on contract; given to the
jury.
In the second division of the city court
the case of j. w. Lackey against the
Kansas City, Memphis and Birmingham
Railway company for 1000 damages
for personal injuries was concluded late
in the afternoon. The jury, after being
out short time, returned verdict for
$1,000 Lackey was fireman of the ALA
bama Great Southern railroad which he
was struck by a Kansas City, Memphis
and Birmingham railroad locomotive
and injured about the back.
Real Estate Transfers.
Mrs A. A. Sherrod to S. l.. Strong, lots
G, Z, 8 and. 0, block 2, lots to 10. block 3,
and lots l to IL, block A. Sherrod's Sec
ond addition to Woodlawn; $500.
Joseph r. Smith, Sr., and wife to Laura
". Lloyd, lot IA block 43. north, in j. r.
Smiths addition to Birmingham; 5000
Johannes Lentz and wife to Dora
Behrens, lots 49, 10 and 90 block 271, Bir-
mdngham; $500.
Court House Gossip
In the first division of the city court a
typographical error set the docket for
the week beginning April 81, whereas 1t
should read April 20, and the following
weeks dockets are changed accordingly.
John William Nicholson and Miss Je-
rusha Hanna were granted a marriage
| license in the probate court yesterday.
The various offices about the court
| house presented a lonely appearance yes
| terday, as many of the officers were at
tending the races
An enthusiastic gentleman who has
business at the court house has derived
so much enjoyment from the race meet1
ing that he suggests that pools be solo
on the candidates for the democratic
nominations for county offices.
Register Sem of the chancery court,
| who is chairman of the committee on
primary elections, has received about 5000
nd dat pC q n
| and he desires to serve notice on them
| to pony up without further delay, or
| they will be scratched when the flag falls.
| John Walton, the condemned negro
murderer who desires to sell his body.
| has not yet closed a contract for its de-
| livery after the sheriff gets through with
| him, but is still open to propositions.
Inferior Criminal Court
The following cases were disposed of
| in the inferior court yesterday:
Maud Mountcair, charged with disor-
derby conduct; fined So. Arrested by Of
| ficers Hamilton and Walker
SIMON Hymes, refusing to work; fined
| $40.
Frank Raymon. disorderly conduct and
| carrying concealed weapons; fined SO in
| the first case and $50 in the second case.
Arrested by Officers Dunl1in and Moses.
Dick Bryant. disorderly conduct and re-
| sisting an officer; fined $40 in the first
| case and SIS in the second. Arrested by
officers Dunkin and Moses
Herman Nan, trespassing; fined S.. Ar
rested by officers DunlSin and Moses.
| Andrew Brown, colored, disorderly con
| duct fined SIS. Arrested by Ofiicers
| Gambill and Cole.
Treasury Gold Reserve. y
Washington, March 1.-THE treasury
| gold reserve at the close of business to-
| day stood at s127564, no. The withdray