Evening star., 1897-01-02
AFTER THE HOLIDAY
Light Crowd Of New Year Prisoners in the
Police Court.
Charged With Intent to Kin-Cases
of Interest to Students
of Crime.

Not only the hospital records, but those
OF the police department as well. show tha.
yesterday, so far as the District of Column
bia Is concerned, was one of the most or
derly holidays in years. The docks of the
Police Court, mirror-like. always accurate
ly reflect the disorder of the community
and the picture this morning was highly
satisfactory to those peacefully inclined
In both the United States and District
branches of the court the business was ex-
ceptionally light, and, strange to say.
charges of vagrancy predomnated. the
drunk and disorderlies not numbering more
than one or two.
In Judge Kimballs court by far the most
interesting prisoner was John Gardner. an
Old and decripit white man, who has prob
ably passed the three-score-years-a ten
pest In the tourney of life.
As l was patrolling my beat along East
capitol street yesterday said Policeman
Vandeschaf. this man deliberately picked
up a heavy cobblestone and hurled II at
lamppost. His aim was poor at the start.
but he continued firing at the lamp until
the glass was smashed to smithereens.
ing missiles
How about this?'' the court asked the
prisoner.
Il smashed the glass. of course I did >,
said John. Il did it because 1 want to be
sent to jail, where l can get treatment.
for I'm a sick man."
Don't you know there are other ways of
securing treatment, without resorting to
the extreme measure of smashing gas
iamps! the court wanted to know
eve suffering with asthma till 1 thought
l would drop. He sent me to the Washing
ton Asylum Hospital. but they turned me
cut. l want to go to JAIL
chon
house under this charge" explained the
court.
Il hope not. SIR" pleaded Gardner for
they Will do nothing but abuse me there"
ruled the court. Thirty days, and, Mr.
Clerk: in the commitment direct that this
man be sent to the hospital
Wanted to Say.
Martha Lee, an old colored nanny,
proved rather amusing. She was arrested
by Policeman Burlingame for begging from
door to door and was charged with va
grancy.
Are you guilty or not guilty." asked
the court
'Jes lemme say" began Martha.
bailiff.
Guilty or not guilty." complied Martha.
Taking the stand, Martha assured the
court that she is good people" She
-
sab" she explained. and was Intimately
acquainted with all the 'toney". people of
the city.
DO you know this gentleman here?"
asked the court, indicating Lieut.. Kelly of
the sixth precinct, who happened to be in
court.
''Yas, sah,'' promptly replied Martha,
and he used to be very hansum gem
The spectators smiled audibly, and the
lieutenant blushed like school girl.
The old woman went on to say that the
recent severe storm wrecked her house and
injured her to such an extent that she has
been unable to work since. Yesterday, she
said, she was looking for one of her white
people," and was not begging.
''Tll let you CO. finally said the court
but don't get caught begging
''Yas, sab: dat i won't
Martha returned to the dock and went
through form of religious incarnation for
several moments Then, hobbling from the
wished all present happy New Year.
Mary Reynolds. the woman who caused
mild sensation in court Thursday by an
nouncing that she was victim OF diph-
therla was again in the dock today. The
health officer forwarded to Judge Kimbail a
report that the woman was not SO at
fiicted. She was promptly convicted of
disorderly conducts and sent down fer ff-
teen days.
An assortment of white men charged with
vagraLcy gave their names as John Clark,
Jerry Murphy, Joseph Lane, Frank Nc,
Laughlan Frank Page, Joseph Howard and
James Morrison. They visited the ninth
precinct police station last evening and
requested lodging. They received all they
asked for and lots more that was not de-
sired.
What are you doing in Washington ?"
asked the court of Clark.
II am on my way from ST. Louis to
Washington" was the reply.
But Washington is a little out of the
way,' stated the court.
well, was in no hurry, so thought 1
would drop down this way Clark said,
nonchalantly.
LAS you have so much time at your dis
posal," ruled the court, you may spend
month at the workhouse."
Murphy and Page gave satisfactory ac-
counts of themselves. and were released on
their personal bonds. All the others went
down for thirty days.
George Williams and John Edwards
young boys, were in the dock in the tramp
department. One of the boys produced
medal bearing the inscription. Look for
ward, not backward; look out, not in"
That, he said, was his motto.
In view of the fact that the boys were
leaving town when arrested, their personal
bonds were taken.
Joseph Mcintosh was shown to be per-
son Of evil life and fame, and was COM
mitted for sixty days.
Before Judge Miller.
In Judge Miller's court the most con-
spicuous figure of the day was Francis
Honiker. an old white man, who lives in
the rear of 15lS New Jersey avenue. His
head was completely swathed in bandages,
and his general appearance that Of
man who had seen better days. Honiker
was the complaining witness against Albert
Foster and William Lindsay, colored men
who were charged with assault
Christmas eve Honiker was assaulted by
two men, who beat him with a blackjack
until he was insensible. lie had no money
with him at the tirne but only the day be-
fore had deposited his quarterly payment Of
pension. The police secured evidence that
connected Foster and Lindsay with the
case. The prosecution contended that the
two men, believing that Honiker had a
large sum of money with him. attempted to
rob him.
why is not this charge highway robbery
or assault to kill?' asked the court 1T is
certainly assault to kill, or nothing
well, I'll make it assault to KILL" said
Prosecuting Attorney MLllowney.
Il am a wronged man." thereupon Shout
ed Foster. "Wronged, say" and he show
ed fight.
Several bailiffs. however, removed Foster
from the room, until the new charge was
prepared. Later, both Foster and Lindsay
were held in $1,000 bonds each for the ac-
ton of the grand jury.