The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-05-12
A POKER GAME.
Strange Stories Told Of
An Assault Case.
Defendants Say Row Was
Over Bicycle Collision.
Contested Will Case Compromised
Other Court Matters.
-.

OF a bicycle collision figured rather ex-
tensively in the only criminal trial held
in Judge Wilbur's court today. The re-
suit of the refusal of William Shackford
to let the amount OF q jack pot go as part
payment towards a sum alleged to be due
for his running down Henry Thompson
led to an assault or HINT State claims,
by Thompson and his brother, Benjamin
Thompson. The poker GENE and the as
saults complained OF took place at River
side on the night Of June 10, 1896, and
according to the testimony for the State
shackford was numerically beaten. The
defendants deny they did anything more
than repel the attacks made on them by
the complainant Shackford.
William Shackford. the party who
claims TO have been assaulted, testified
that he knew both the defendants now,
but one OF them he old not know on the
night of june 13. That number of
young fellows, including the defendants
and himself, were In Peck's barn at Riv-
erside playing poker and after the game
was four hours old witness won pot.
Henry was shy six cents and when the
next hand was played Shackford took the
six cents out and handed the change over
t.. Henry. The latter then said he did
not want the six cents taken out, and af-
ter some words Henry let out with his fist
and struck witness in the lip, severely
cutting him and shocking out one of his
teeth. Then all parties left the barn and
Henry Thompson wanted to know IL wit
ness had got enough, and though tie lat
ter said yes, Henry insisted on~slSnocking
him down. and afterwards hit him with
pistol on the side of the head. Then the
other defendant picked up Sbackford, and
threw him down again, and repeated the
operation many times. The witness was
taken home, nc claims, more dead than
alive, and was, as the result of his iniu-
ries. confined to his bed for two weeks.
On cross examination by Mr.. Coniey,
witness admitted he hadse had tr roubie
with Henry Thompson before they in
dulged in the fascinating game on that
night in June, he having run into
Henry's bicycle while the latter was rid
ing on the highway. He denied he had
drank more than one glass OF beer on
that night. or that he had told Mr.. Con-
ley at the district court that on the night
in question he had seven glasses of lager.
Benjamin Thompson had urged MS
brother not to bring up the bicycle mat
ter and cause any trouble.
Alphonse Shackford testified to his son
being in an insensibe condition when
he arrived home. Mary Shackford,a a sister
OF the assaulted man, testified that when
her brother came home he was covered
with blood and his clothing was almost
all torn from mis- body. She with her
father took the injured man to DIR. Hib-
bard's Office.
Town Sergeant Samuel F. Bowden OF
harrington, police sergeant Munroe OF
East Providence and Ur. Hibbard were
other witnesses for the State.
Benjamin Thompson, one of the defend
ants, VINO was formrely nurse in the
United States army, said he did not see
the start OF the row ana that IT was caused
by the collision, but he at last told the
Attorney General that perhaps poker had
a little TO do with the trouble.
Henry Thompson. the other defendant,
laid all the blame on Shackford
Attorney General +. &. Dubois for the
State and Joseph Ostield, Jr., and John
4. Conley for the defendant.
A COMPROMISE WILL APPROVED.
A jury i'm the common pleas division
OF the Supreme Court this morning form
ally approved the will of Fanny Loughiiu
deceased. an appeal from the probating
OF which by the municipal court of this
city had been taken by Viola 4. Lough-
lin, her sole heir at law. The will APP
proved of today differed somewhat from
that which the deceased made but tho
difference i'm its text had been previously
approved bv the appellate division OF the
Supreme Court.
Mrs. Fanny Lougblin was the widow Of
John Loughlin a well known and rich
land agent OF the North End, who died
number of years ago, and Mrs. Lough-
lin died in March, 1896. BY the provi-
sions of her last will she LETT various sums
of money TO St. Patrick's church, the
Church OF the Holy Name, the Home for
the eyed at Pawtucket, and the Infant
Asylum on Park street in this city.
Rev. Thomas Briscoe, pastor OF st. Pat
rick's Church, was named executor of
the will by the testator, and he was also
appointed trustee of the estate of Viola
L. Loughlin, who was a daughter OF Har-
vey Loughin, deceased, and granddcugh-
ter of the testator. The object given for
the trust was to place the education and
control OF the granddaughter. in his
hands. Tire mother of Viola is living and
has since tho decease of her first hus-
band remarked and her present husband,
Clarence II. Munroe, Is the guardian ad
Iitem of Viola.
Some time after the appeal from the
decree of the municipal court was taken
negotiatio ions were begun between the le-
gal representatives of the executor and
the beneficiary. The result was the sub
mission TO the appellate court ty a do
cree annulling the gift IN trust 20 the ex-
ecutor and csncelling the provisions for
Rev. Thomas Briscoe's control over the
Loughlin. The executor Is TO remain In
contrc. of the estate until he makes his
account TO the municipal court and the
charitable bequests are to be paid.
r. III. Mulholland represented the appel
liant and McGuinness a. Doran the de-
fendsnt.
Tho following cnses In this division
were disposed OF today:
Andrew j. Bullock vs.. Nichncl Sro-
gan. Passed for three months.
Catherine Byrnes VS. Luther Mathew
son. Passed for three months.
Luke Potter VS.. New York, New Haven
q Hartford Railroad. Passed.
Ira r.. Ryder vs. III A. Stearns Passed.
Mary Hart vs.. Moskassuck Railroad.
Passed for three months.
Defendants were called In the case of
We're W. Beck vs.. Henry Cairns and do
fsulted and Judgment was given he
,.lafofias n SD