Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-11-20
SERVING A NOTICE
Judge Miller Handles the Tramp Question
Without Gloves.
Daring Attempt at Highway Robbery
Frustratel-BradyG Gets n Sem
tence This Afternoon.

earnestness to Pat Brady in the Police
Court this afternoon, you may as well
notify your colleagues just what this court
intends to do with such fellows as you. 1t
intends to impose the limit of the law"
and 1T was added with emphasis, with
work."
Brady was in court, charged with assault
and with vagrancy, and he also appeared
as prosecuting witness against Michael
Vaccaro, an Italian shoemaker, who was
in the dock for carrying concealed
weapon. The hearing disclosed one of the
most daring attempts at highway robbery
ever perpetrated at the capital of the ma
ton, and Judge Miller made no effort 20
conceal his feelings in dealing with the
matter.
The case of concealed weapons against
Vaccaro was first called. Policeman Bell
took the stand and related what he knew
of the case, as follows:
II was on my way home shortly after
midnight and was on a Pennsylvania ave-
nue. car going east. On approaching Sd
street 1 heard a pistol shot, and saw
crowd gather. 1 .hastened to the spot
and learned that this man Vaccaro had
shot a man named Frank Watson, the ball
lodging in the right groin.
watson is now at the Emergency Hos
pital, but his condition reported as not
serious. I investigated the case, and find
that Vaccaro was on the way to his home,
40 LIST street, when he was accosted by
Brady and Watson. They laid hands on
him and sternly demanded money. Vac
caro- replied that he had no money, where
upon Brady and Watson began u vicious
assault upon him, among other things
striking him brutally in the face and biting
one of his hands in a severe manner. Vac
caro- managed to break loose and run
away. He was followed, however, and
overtaken. AS one of the highwaymen at
tempted to kick him, Vaccaro, feeling that
his life was In danger. drew pistol and
fired.
Both Brady and Watson were intox-
icated." continued Policeman Bell, land in
the patrol wagon and at the box Brady
acted in the most disorderly manner i'm
eGinable."
A colored woman testified to seeing Vac
caro- fleeing for his life. with Brady and
watson In close pursuit. According 10 the
witness. Vaccaro shouted to his assail-
ants: Fheave me alone or III shoot" The
chase was continued until the Italian turn
ed and fired. But one shot was used.
Policeman Coghill. who assisted in the
arrest. informed the court that both Brady
and Watson are characters of the very
worst stamp. They were here a year ago,
your honor" he said. land we had trouble
with them then. Now that cold weather
Is approaching they are back again. This
Tune they have been In the city for three
days, and have been hanging out at one of
the cheap lodging houses on 1st street near
!. the Peace Monument
Vnccaro's Story.
Vaccaro, with Sergt Lombardy as in
terpreter, told his story of the affair Il
was kept late at my shop, on 10th street."
he said, land when 1 started for home it
was nearly midnight. l am not in the habit
or carrying d pistol, but l decided to do so
last night because l was alone, and because
1t was SO late. Near the corner of Sd street
and Pennsylvania avenue two men came up
10 me. Ihey stopped ME, grabbed hold of
me. and said Give us some money" l re-
piled that l had no money and then they
struck me. l put my hand in my vest
pocket, where had some money. They no.
tlced the action and ran after me- /
thought / was about to be killed, so | shot
one of the men,.
All the policemen present testified that
Vaccaro was a peaceable individual who
has never been in trouble of any kind since
he came to this city.
The Judges Comments.
we may be up to the progress of the
age said Judge Miller, but we are GER
tainly not down to the rascality. Why is
1t. should like to know, that that part of
the city, Pennsylvania avenue from the
Peace monument to 41a street, is dedicated
to this class of persons? They are nothing
short of irresponsible desperadoes The
police should handle it in the right way
and break up the evil for good and ALL
Mr.. Officer" continued the court, "how
many of these tramps have been seen at
one time in that section"'
About fifty" answered Policeman Cog
hill.
What do you do with them?" was the
next query.
men were taken into custody, but their
personal bonds were taken in the lower
court" replied the policeman.
Brady Testfiics.
How long do you think long-suffering
public arc going to put up with this sort
of thing?' demanded Judge Miller, turning
to Brady.
II didn't touch that man." said the pris-
oner. IT simply ran after him after he had
shot my friend
What did you come to this city for, any
how, after you were run out a year ago."
continued the court.
II came here looking for work. was the
reply.
Work" repeated the court, in a tone of
contempt. why, you wouldn't work I'M
der the most favorable circumstances. You
would lay down the shovel and the hoe at
any. time for a glass of rum. You are
disgrace to the honest work;ngmen, who
are the pride of this country How many
drinks had you had last EVENING"?
About fourteen, as near as l can re-
member" said Brady.
Of work. commented the court. who in
the wide world would give employment to
such man as you are? 1t was an ex-
tremely fortunate thing that this man had
that pistol last night, although he violated
the law in carrying it, Had he been I'M
armed you would probably have killed him.
1t is only through display of courage
that reputable citizens escape bodily harm
on the streets of this city nightly at the
hands of men of your clique-a horde of
strong, able-bodied ruffians, who move
around the country, who consider it dis
grace to perform honest labor and who are
a constant and dangerous menace to all
law-abiding citizens
MIR. Mullowney." then said the court.
addressing the prosecuting attorney IF
We, who hear these cases, with all their
details, day after day, could frame the
laws, 1 think we could accomplish a great
good toward the restoration of peace and
safety, especially SO far the principal
thoroughfare of the capital city of the ma
ton is concerned
Give me a chance this time and I'll be
obliged to you," Brady said.
''Oh, yes; I'll give you a chance" replied
Judge Miller, with spirit. You will go to
the workhouse for six months on the va
grancy charge, and when you are released
from there, you will be transferred to the
jail for sentence of eleven months and
twenty-nine days in the assault case"
Vaccaro, who was charged with carving
concealed weapons, was discharged on his
personal bonds
When Watson is able to leave the FINER