The morning times., 1896-10-15
ALE CO FREE
Jackson City Cases Dismissed
by Squire Lane.
AT RATE OF ONE A MINUTE
He Held Court In Alexandria aud No
witnesses Appeared-Ex-Gambler
john Nelson, Who Caused the Ar
rests, WIS Not Present-Prosecut-
ing witnesses Who Knew Nothing

Thirty-siX cases of alleged violation OF
the WIS of Virginia were disposed OF in
about half as many minutes yesterday by
Justice OF the Peace Lane of Alexandra
county. He held court IN Alexandra and
entered judgment OF not guilty in all OF
the cases OF alleged gambling that were
brought up on warrants sworn out Dy
John Nelson, the reformed Jackson CITY
saloon keeper.
Nelson was net present to prosecute the
cases. He WIS recently released from
jail, but was under no bonds to appear De-
fore the justice OF the peace. There were
only two prosecuting witnesses present.
They were Lee Chandler aud john James,
colored man.
There were but few people in the court
room when the trials began. Mr.. Richard
johnson, tie commonwealths attorney,
represented the prosecution, while the de-
PENDANTS, few of whom were on hand, were
represented by Messrs. Muslbach aud
Brent.
ALLOWED NO PoSTPoNEMENT.
The case Of John Thomas, charged with
selling liquor on Sunday, was the first
one called. Mr.. job nson immediately
moved for a postponement. on the ground
that the most important witnesses were
not present. Justice Lane denied the
motion after Attorney Brent had opposed
10 and at the same time added that he
wonld dismiss every case.
Mr.. johnson suggested that II would be
better that the cases come to trial i'm
mediately rather than that Judgment
should he entered without the least effort
being made to-prove the guilt or innocence
of the parties.
s After some hesitation Justice Lane de-
citled TO let the case go on and ordered the
first witness called. John james took the
stand lie sworc, in reply TO MI john
sons questions that he knew nothing
about Thomas keeping his saloon open on
Sunday and that he had never seen any
liquor sold there on that day. His only
excuse for being there as witness, he
said, was because h c received the summons,
but he did not know Word oil evidence.
The questions asked OF Lee Chandler
were almost identical with those put to
James. and the answers were about the
same. Mr.. Brent did not deem Il necessary
To ask any questions Of the witnesses. and
he asked the Justice to render a Judgment
acquitting his client. 1t was promptly
done.
DONE IN SHORT ORDER.
The case OF james H. Wells. charged
with running Il gambling table, was the
next one, aud the extraordinary proceed
ings followed in the first case were re-
peated. Mr.. Johnson asked each witness
solne more questions, and asked each why
he mad teeu called. Neither of them knew
anything about the case in hand and neither
could Imagine why they had been sum-
moned 10 TESTIFY when they knew SO little
Mr.. Brent did not ask any questions and
again made his prayer for an acquiltal. 1t
was granted.
BY tins Tune Messrs. Mushbach a ald Brent
were becoming weary, and Mr.. johnson
saw that his motion for continuance was
not to be granted in any case. Therefore,
Shen Mr. duslDacn ma ie the n.Ut.on Tor
an acquittal in all the remaining cases
Mr.. johnson did M. oppose it. and Squire
Lane directed that the verdict of not
guilty be entered in each. The other
cases were: ta-s - -. -.7s-'- - :,
Charged With selling liquor on Sunday
j. W. Potter and Charles Saunderson,
against HON there We're Two charges.
Charged With ganibling-Lewis Preifer
Ferguson johnson, and Frank Foster.
Charged With Running a gambling estab-
lishment-John Potter and Edw ard Shar-
key.
Charged With running a policy game
Daniel Wallace. ID. Woodw ard. John Por-
ter, Benjamin Caster, Columbus Scott,
James Pollard, Ned Conneil. William Mudd,
William Franey. Charles Mudd, Washing
ton Triplett. Charles Turner, Samuel Jack
son. John W. Potter, Benjamin Carter,
William Harrigan. Arthur Brooks, Ned
Conway. Thurston johnson, and AGolphus
Woodw ard.