The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-12-16

1T will be is years before you can do
such thing as that again, said Judge
Wilbur TO Richard johnson, colored, this
morning, who had pleaded nolo conten-
dere to an indictment charging him with
robbery. His honor followed this state
ment by sentencing johnson to 70 years
at hard labor In the states prison. Judge
Wilbur told tho prisoner he might have
been sent TO prison for life.
The indictment under which johnson
was arraianed and the testimony OF Mrs.
Sarah G. Carroll was to the effect that on
the 5th OF last Sept.m ber at :l5 clock
in the forenoon Johnson endeayored to
snatch pooketbook from Mrs. CarIoll's
hands as she was going along Trinity
square. The pocketbook was covered
with paper and contained between ESQ
and $40. Mrs. Carroll Kept a tiaht hold
Of her property and johnson wrenched
her wrists and knocked her down before
he secured the treasure. she suffered
quits a nervous shock from the encounter
for she is a gray haired woman ana for
two weeks was under the doctors care.
johnson said he only grabbed the
pocketbook and ran away and that he was
as gentle as possible with Mrs Carroll.
Judge Wilbur SAID he was afraid the
prisoner interest in the case was so
great he colored his testimony. and as for
himself he believed Mrs. Carroil's story.
Capt. Marston was asked what the repu-
tation OF the prisoner was, and the reply
was, bad reputation. johnson promptly
said to the captain, Have you ever ar
rested me?" "No, ~ was the captains
reply. Then Judge Wilbur wanted to
know more about Johnson's reputation
and Capt. Marston said it was generally
I.I4 -, xx~t1lt havx
there was n job like the one he was now
charged with TO do It. Tnis satisfied the
judge ana he made the remark above
quoted.
johnson wanted to talk after he was
told what he must suffer for his crime,
but Judge Wilbur shut him of. The
prisoner took his. sentence very cooliy and
as soon rs he found ne could talk no fur
thor clapped his hat on and walked
quickly away with three deputies.
Willard j. Gallagher. who was indicted
for the robbery of Joseph Coleman at tho
latter's barn in South Providence, on
Sept. %, was this morning sentenced by
Judge Wilbur to 10 years in states prison
at hard labor. Gallagher had quite
story made up, but its fatal defect and
lack Of truth were very apparent
When arragned in court today Gala
guilty and pleaded nolo contsndere. He
had an ugly look rs he faced the court
but his size did not belle the statement he
made To the court that he was put IL
years old. GallaRher's story was that he
stopped Coleman's horse. and the latter
asked him TO get up on the wagon and
have ride. then gave him drink OF
liquor. Coleman, Gallagher insisted,
kept on drinking and was very much
under the jr fluence of stimulents when
they reached the barn. After the horse
was taken out of the shafts Gallagher
claimed Coleman became very abusive
ana attemp pted to strike him. Finally
Coleman pulled something out of an
inner pocket and pointed il at HIM. The
prisoner. thereupon thinking il revolver
and nis life in danger. grabbvd IL and
ran away. Great was his surprise tn find
thu: q was "a wallet and contained S33 in
money.
Assistant Attorney General Stearns
read from the notes Of testimony tax IN
before the grand jury. these notes
showed that Coleman WAS between 90
and 60 years of age tand not of robust
figure, that Gallagher had asked him for
n ride and when the barn was reached
Coleman felt a blow made by something
heavy. Other blows followed, three OF
his teeth knocked out. his skull badly
hurt and one of his legs broken, and
lust before Coleman tainted the prisoner
nut "A hand into the pocket Of the mnn he
lad so brutally assaulted and took mis-
pocketbCok and money. When he went
out of the barn Gallagher looked Coleman
in and went away To spend his ill-gotten
gains
Judge Wilbur, when he imposed the
sentence of 10 years, said that the loast
that could be- given was five years and
spoiSe cf the seriousness OF the offence.
Gallagher did not mind the advice an
parently and looked uglier than ever as
he wss lead away 10 begin his term OF i'm
prisonment
William Roder,ck retracted former