Evening star., 1897-01-22
THE FIRST CONVICTION
At Last Blow Struck at Alexandria County
Gambling.
Justice Supplee Announces the SEN
bling Apparatus ON Hand.

For the first time since j. E. Supplee Of
Del Ray was appointed justice Of the
peace for Alexandra county by Judge Chi
chester he was able to get one Of the
county cases before him for trial yester-
day. The case was against John Clark
proprietor Of the White House." at the
Virginia end Of the Aqueduct bridge, one
Of the most celebrated gambling resorts in
the county. He fined Clark $3.50 and SEN
fenced him to ninety days in Jail. This is
the first conviction in these cases. there
having been sixteen acquittals.
The trial was held at the residence of
Justice Hayes, near Balston. and the little
front room used as a court of justice was
packed to sufocation, there being many of
the light fingered gentry of the green cloth
by Lawyers John H. Greene and Samuel
G. Brent. while Judge L. D. Yarrell repre-
sented the commonwealth in behalf of the
Citizens League Of Alexandria county.
When the case was called at 4:45 o'clock
there was quite bomb exploded in the
camp of the defendant and his attorney
when Judge Yarrell arose and stated to
the court that he represented the COM
monwealth in this case. Richard johnson.
who was present, arose to his feet with
bound. and said: II am commonwealth
gentleman to understand that propose
TO conduct this case. and want none of
his assistance" But" said Judge Var
reil smilingly. Il represent the common
assistance" Little "Dicky' looked as If
he had been skot. and almost gasped for
breath as he saw the case slowly gliding
II ON his hands.
shoulder by Commonwealth Attorney
Johnson in the trial of these cases here
tciore, and whenever johnson has had
charge Of the cases a verdict of mot
guilty.
many instances without johnson making
more than a slight effort" at resistance,
and Judge Yarrell said that he did not
propose to allow the slightest chance in
this the first case he had been allowed to
take charge Of. John H. Green, attorney
Tor Clark. took up Johnsons case and OBJ
rather an amusing incident for the de-
tense to want the commonwealth to have
more legal talent.
1t could be Geen at a glance that Judge
Tor he pulled from his pocket a letter from
Attorney General Scott Of Virginia. giving
him ample authority for his position in the
case. $50
The court then started in for business
with the commonwealth represented by
Judge L. d. Yarrell. The defense objected
70 Justice Supplee trying the case, as he
wa was In the raid. but the objection was met
oy Judge Yarrel1' and overruled by JUS
tices Hayes and Supplee. Judge Yarrell
then asked If all the paraphernalia cap
tured In the raid was on hand. 1t was
not: only part Of the roulette table was
exhibited. The Judge then insisted that in
order to conduct the case properly all the
parapherr ala found on Clark's premise,
should be in evidence
justice Supplee 80 ruled and court ad-
1oIrned until the sheriff could get the para
phernalia- and it was after o'clock before
the sheriff returned with a two-horse wagon
load OF gambling apparatus, consisting OF
roulette. faro. hazard, crap and other
ldDleS, Qlco CUBS etc which
ME- Clark's premises the night of the raid
Of December 16
The roulette table was brought in, and
during the continuance of the trial used
as a bar of Justice. over which tie case
was argued. The defense made a motion
10 quash the warrants, which was over
iqoea; i.fnr0 They 9I then made made a motion of
counsel at length. and Judge Yarrell point
ed out some serious defects in the war
rants on which Clark was found mot
suEty: Justice Supplee overruled the mo-
tion ihe trial was then begun, and Sheriff
Paimer was the first witness He told of
tne raid and finding the paraphernalia on
clark $ premises. as detailed in The Star
al 'ne time; A d. Holmes told of the raid
A. s. Doniphan. the prosecuting witness.
told or the raid in detail. and how the
paraphernalia had been found on Clark q
premises, then described the game of rou-
Games OF Chance" to assist him. The table
exhibited was found to be a roulette tahIe
according to Hoyle'' -.l..-- = :
j. W. Yates. one of the raidinR marty
was witness in the case. and was present
at 4:3O o'clock, when the case was called
put when he was wanted to testify II was
FOUND that he had mysteriously disap-
peared Judge Yarrell asked that an At
tachment be issued against him for con-
tempt of court " ~
ihe defense asked no questions of tho
Witnesses. evidently seeing that the case
mad been clearly proved and every point
brought out by the commonwealth renre-
sentative. Judge Yarrell
When the evidence was all in Judge Var
rell arose and said he had proved his ca 10
beyond doubt and asked for a verdict of
guilty. "
Attorney Greene. for Clark, stated that
Inc fact that the paraphernalia being
FOL nd there did not convict Clark
Justices Supplee and Hayes retired ut
$50 O'Clock. and in ten minutes returned
Justice Snpplee announced that on the
charge Of keeping and setting up a rou
lette table they had found Clark mot
guilty. but on the charge of having
roulette table on his premises he was guilty.
ard a fine of $3.50 and ninety days in the
county Jail was imposed.
Defense appealed and bond was fixed at
1900 Attorney Brent becoming security
The case will probably come up at the
next term OF the county court.