Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-06-27
A KNotk.oUT DROPS CASE
r
Happy jack Iawton Held in $4,000 Bail
fcR the Grand Jury.
Testimony IN the Case Of His Deal
ings viii Farmer Burriss of
>. 'NOrbeck, Md.

Matthew Fl Merigan. otherwise Happy
Jack LawtonA and sometimes known as
Fred. Mason. twas In the Police Court this
afternoon on the charge of assault with
intent to KILL It was another case of
knockout drops" Judging by the record
of the local courts lately. knockout drops
are becoming very popular with people who
are planning to make money easily.
The complainant was Richard J. Burriss,
guileless young countryman from the
neighborhood Of Norbeck Md. Wednesday
of last week he came into town with a
wagon load Of country produce.
Early the next morning he went to the
American House to deliver a bushel OF
beans. On coming out a man addressed
him in pleasant manner, and friend
ship was struck which was sealed with a
couple Of drinks. The stranger. who gave
his name as Christopher, insisted on pay
ing for everything
Burriss testified that he had left his
wagon at the market. and the stranger
offered to drive him there in hack. On
the way the stranger, who was IN the dock
today as the defendant, spoke of going out
to Norbeck to take board at the farm
where Burriss works Merigan. or Christie
pher, proved a very pleasant companion,
bridge to make call upon friend before
going out into the country. They started
toward Virginia, and when they were on
the bridge Merigan took a bottle OF Wills
ky out of his pocket and offered Burr1ss
a drink.
Il didn't want it, said Burriss on the
stand this afternoon. Though l was perfect
ly sober, for had only had a couple Of
drinks of beer. But when he turned"the
bottle upside down 1t began to foam and
always heard that when whisky loaned 1t
was a sign 1t was good whisky, so took &
mouthful. but spit 1t out. for it was awful
bitter"
Continuing, Burriss said that when they
had crossed the bridge he was feeling very
sick. and his friend insisted on his taking
a drink of beer telling him that 1t would
make him feel all right. The defendant
bought three bottles at a saloon. The wit
ness could not tell whether he drank even
half bottle. for from the time he took the
first swallow he knew nothing more until
he found himself near Four Mile Run. The
hack and driver were gone. as was his new
found friend. So was all the money he had,
about $12, his watch and his hat.
Precinct Detective Sutton learned that
day that Burriss was missing from his stand
at the market, and after a long search,
found him over in Virginia
Dr. McGrath of the Emergency Hospital
testified that when Burriss was brought
in late in the afternoon he showed signs Of
having been drugged, with choral, he
thought.
A drug clerk testified that on the morn
ing of the 18th the defendant came into his
self to be veterinary surgeon from Alex
andria, wrote out a prescription for five
drains of choral.
1t was filled.
Detective Sutton testified to finding Bur-
RIGS lying unconscious on a road near Four
Mile run. Before leaving for Virginia he
found Merisan on the avenue trying to
sell a silver watch. He at once locked the
man up.
David Smith, hackman, testified to
driving Merigan and Burriss across the
river. Before starting for the Long bridge
Merigan was driven to the drug store on
Capitol Hills He said that on the other
side of the river Burriss seemed to fall
asleep. The defendant dumped him out of
the carriage and ordered the witness to
drive back to town.
Judge Miller Teprimanded the driver Sc
verely for the part he took in the affair.
But. judge, your honor. / was afraid of
that man. for 1 knew him to be a des-
perate character
"Afr:ii1 Of. him, humph! If that man had
owed you - cents ,5ou would have chased
him through all the bushes in Virginia
and you would have got the money, too
The defendants counsel claimed that
there was no proof to show an assault
with intent to kill, and that whatever as
sault there was was committed in Vir-
ginia.
Judge Miller did not agree with the law
yer and characterized the offense as one
of the most dastardly pieces of ytIlainy
ever performed in this District and held
the defendant in 5000 bonds for the grand
Jury.