Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-27
SAW THE PORTER STEALING.
He Was Therefore Given sixty
Days-Other Interesting Cases.

The Police Court was thronged yester-
day morning with curious spectators
who had gathered to get glimpse Of
James Kahn. who stands charged with
the murder of his wife.
The prisoner sat sobbing in his grief on
a bench in the far end Of the pen, and
scarcely raised his eyes TO meet those
who were 50 eager to get full view
Of his face The attention of the spec
tators was soon called to the first case,
however, and the depressed widower
was allowed 10 rest more easily.
John Banister, a colored porter, was
the first prisoner called before his
Honor. He was accused of stealing
seven dozen spools of white cotton from
Messrs. ID. q h. Mitteldorfer. The jus
tice said there was no help az the case
was dead Open-and-shut' affair, and
John had to be convicted Of petty lar
ceny and sent down TO Jail for sixty days.
Mr.. Ellis Mitteldorfer even testified
that he saw the porter put the spools IN
box.
That quiet part of Richmond known
as Church Hin " has within the last
few weeks lost 10 chickens that are po-
sitively known 10 have been stolen. For
some time Richard Gibson. an old col
chickens 10 different merchants I'm the
city. and. in fact, such a large poultry
business was being conducted by him
that merchants began to suspect That
something was wrong.
Consequently. when Richard called at
Mr.. J. w Sparks Wednesday to dis
nose Of three fat ROSTERS. an officer was
found waiting. and Immediately took the
poultry crook in hand.
Yesterday morning Messrs Phageman.
Krause. and others, testified that they
had bought many chickens from Rich
ard and Justice Crutchfeld immediate
w required SEQ security for twelve
months, and the prisoner went down TO
the jail.
The case Of c. Murra was next called,
but little time was lost by the Justice in
disposing Of the Italian. He had been
guilty OF a cruel act of sticking a sharp
stick into the body Of Otway Lumpkin,
q small youth, when simply neering into
the bar-room In which the Italian was
employed The Justice fined Murra $40,
which was promptly paid and required
security. which was given.
Ellen Johnson was compelled to APP
near before the Justice. though her
character was as spotless as the shirt
che was accused Of stealing Lizzie
Jonos. who preferred the charge, told
the Court that 1t was "mistooken iden-
titv" and so the case was promptly
dismissed upon the payment Of costs by
Lizzie.
Ada Blank (coloreD was less fortunate.
and even acknowledged her theft OF a
dress-skirt from Sarah Williams. The
women reside in the same house. and.
Of course. Ada, Just borrowed the skirt
She positively denied the charge Of trunk
breaking. but the Justice thought thirty
DAYS would be the proper thing.
An old colored woman named Mary
Giles addressed the Court with refer
ence to the charge she had preferred
against Frances Branch, colored wo-
man who claims 10 be the sweet
heart OF Mary's son. Mary said she
did not want the girl IN her back
yard nor did she care 10 have her climb
ing her apple-tree; so, growing tired
81 her intrusion. she just got mad and
ewore out a warrant charging Frances
Win trespassing on her property. The
Justice claimed that he dld not have the
mower TO act in the matter. so the case
was dismissed.