Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-08-19
The Usual Daily Parade in the
Police Court.
PETTY OFFENDERS OF ALL DEGREES
Sick Women Receive the Mercy
Of the Court.
IDLE MEN A B 0 Z n D

"Well, old man, what are you doing In
here?" was asked Of a colored man who
was seated on bag Of clothing behind the
bars in Judge Scotts court this morning.
II amt dom nothin' but sittin' here"
was his response, land deed I amt done
a thing to be fetched here"
where are you from?''
Down In Richmond" he answered. land
Use been workin' on dat 'lectric road up in
'Gomery county"
His appearance verified the statement
that he was sick, and he explained that
he had left the country and come here to
get in a hospital
What's your trouble?"
II don't know, but does know dat Use
sick from head to foot"
And were you drinking?
mo, indeed; 1 amt drinked nothin for
long time, and 1 amt been in town for
three years"
A Concealed Weapon.
1t developed that he had been found
with shaving utensils on him, and because
he had the razor charge of concealed
weapons was preferred against him, and
his case was transferred to Judge Mills
court. This explained his absence from
Judge SCOTS procession. in which a num-
Der of colored females figured.
Two of them were Edith Apologize and
cara DeSlne, ana the charge against tIlcIu
was vagrancy. These young women were
well dressed, and were very much envied
by some of their companions In misery.
They certainly do dress well,'' one of
the working women remarked
We'll. they ought toAdI ess WELL, said an
other, cause they live in a bad part of
the city and don't have to work in peoples
Kitchens
Il know they DON'T" answered the first
woman, but then people who live in shady
houses and wear good clothes amt got no
religion. and 1 wouldn't lose my soul just
to make myself look pretty
Neither would IT, answered number
two because they don't live easy lives
and are never happy"
An Interrupted Journey.
Policeman Fathers appeared on the wit
ness stand and told of the arrest of the
women, who have been living in one of the
houses of ill-repute in the Division
IF these women were let alone down
there he said, they would run that part
of the town. The other day they beat a
cabman, anu were on the street drunk.
Their conduct has been such that they
have been regular nuisances there
III I've done anything" said one of the
women, Il don't know 1t. 1 think was
arrested just because of some gossip in the
house among the servants"
And 1 was going away today" said the
other woman.
Where were you going?'
ITO New York"
You will have to remain here short
time" the judge said. Bonds or fifteen
days each"
The woman did not give bonds, but went
down.
A Case Advanced.
In the procession was Mary Bell, col
ored woman who was soon to become q
mother, and she was suffering SO much
that Clerk Washbuln advanced her case on
the docket. in order that she might get out
as soon as possible and get the necessary
treatu ent.
Policeman Curry had arrested the suffer-
ing woman and Sadie Howard on charge
of trjf1ing disorder, and two colored girls
had been summoned to appear against
them. '4.,,~----+' -
1t did not require the statement of ply
for wher Judge Scott noticed the express
sion on her face he remarked that she
should never have been brought into court.
But don't know just what to do with
her." the Judge said. Her condition
shows that she reeds treatment"
Prosecutor Pugh came to the poor wo-
mans rescue. He knew that the woman
should never have been brought into court
And he said, I'm nolle pros. the case
and let Ter go home"
1T seems to me-" said the court, '"that
the police should use some discretion in
these cases, and not lock UP a woman who
The women were thereupon discharged
Another Sick Woman.
Mary was not the only sick woman in
the lookup for when Emma Washington,
colored. appeared she was 50 sick and weak
that she could scarcely stand.
GIVE the woman seat" the court said
to the bailiff, and when the woman had en-
tered a plea Of not guilty to a trffing
ri IF (tOlOrad Policeman
Stewart lodged complaint against her.
.'She was disorderly, and 1 heard her
swearing" he told the court
Emma then filed herself as an exhibit.
and showed part Of the wounds and bruises
she had sustained.
"a woman cut my head with a brick"
she said. land I'm bruised all about my
back and shoulders. was sick and was on
my way to the hospital when / was as
sa ulted."
This woman is surely sick" the judge
said to Mr.. Pugh, land what would like
to know is how che is going to get treated
That's an easy matter" said the kind
hearted prosecutor. There's no doubt
about her condition, and if she Is sent down
in the van she won't get much better dur
ing the trip. I think the best thing to do
In this case IL to dismiss the woman and
let her go to the hospital at her own ex-
pense, instead of having to be sent there
by the District"
Your suggestion is a good one, Mr..
Pugh,'' the court said, land the woman is
A swampoOdle stone Fight.
The judges boyhood days were recalled
when two gangs OF small colored boys ap-
peared to have the court settle dispute
as to which side was victorious in a recent
ly fought stone battle.
Its an ordinary 'Swampoodle' stone
battle" Mr.. Pugh told the court. Just
such battle as every boy has figured In
and nobody hurt
jackson alley against Defrees street."
Policeman Lynch said.
The former byway was represented by
William Robertson, Charles Raeder, Charles
Adams and James Marker, while those
from Defrses street were Walter Williams,
Richard Cole and Lucius Kicks.
This particular battle was fought in jack
son alley, and as the alleys boys were the
aggressors they were the parties charged.
But there's another day coming. SO the
alleys boys said, and then their opponents
will be in court.
when We went in the alley" said one
Of the street boys, they asked US, Can
you trot?"
"And what did you say?" the prosecutor
asked
1--WE told 'em no. of course" was the
boys answer. "'cause we don't trot until
things get too hot for u.s."
did they get hot this day?'
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