The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-12-28
AFTER THE CHRISTMAS IS OVER
.etories of Its Seamy Side Told in the
2f Police Court.

.etories of It's Seamy Side Told in the
2H Police Court.
IT was the story of Christmas on the
seamy side OF life that was told yester-
day morning in the Mayors court, by
TIE. evidence ini4a half score or more
of cases-to say nothing of as many
more plain DRINKS that were given their
liberty wilh the seriDriral injunction
TO 60 and sin no more.
Seine of these stories were pathetic,
bat-Inest of them We're very amusing
some of them told of the sodden wretch
e. who had attacked others with knife,
pistol or fist; others were a@of gEmen
who had stolen because it was Christmas
time and they had no money with which
to buy, while still others were of child
rem left alone because their mothers
wallowed drunk in the ditch. -
1t was typical day after Christmas"
court, with larger and more. variegat-
cd crowd sfspectators than usual
The firA case on the docket was that
Of. John Hough e. white livery stable
nsn, charged with assault upon negro
aamed Ben Plummer on Christmas Eve
aight. -. j sng
de bar room," said John Plufnmer,
Ben's brother, fixing fer to play my
Jews harp, and l herd one gemmun
say he could knock down any Niger in
the house. Then l herd sumpun drap
and l looked round and it was Ben"
Ben told the same story, and added
Ahat he was standing in the middle of
the floor when Hough walked up and
struck him without saying word. he
said Hough knocked him out and his
teeth too.
The Mayor fined Hough $3.50.
Another case against Hough was for
assaulting Pres Hanna, a white man.
AS Pres testified that he was drunken
than ever before in his life and did
not remember anything about the thump-
ing administered the Mayor let Hough
off with $3.25.
Sandy Fellows, country negro who
was in town with two-horse wagon,
also got drunk, drove his mules reck-
lessly and ran into Bob Holman's dray
and drug it some distance, for which
Bob thrashed Fellows. Sandy sadly ac-
knowledged being drunk.
"I'm gwine on forty-three," said he
In explanation, land this is my first
drunk"
"Wen," said the Mayor, ''you know
they say an old fool is the biggest fool,
But I'll make it as light on you as pos
sible. Pay 50 and costs"
William Thornton fiourished his gun
around promiscuously and "pinted' it at
several people. He was bound over to
court.
Ernest Gooch got drunk on the Bowery
and though it was Christmas morning,
his conduct was more disorderly than
even the occasion justified, so he was
ordered to pay into the city treasury
1925.
Lizzie Powell's drunkenness made her
yell like a Comanche and then tried
to stand on her head on the street.
She was penitent enough when she
drop so long as I live if you'll let me
Off this time" she pleaded.
"You are positive of that, are you,
IizzieW inquired the Mayor.
"Fore de Lawd i is, Mr. Mare"
eff / thought you did mean it what
pleasure it would give me to obllge you;
but you've fooled me so many times.
Yet you've got five little children at
home. / don't want to punish them for
your meanness. I'm going to chance
you this crack, but if you ever come
before me again I'll send you to the
roads certain. Move along and don't
let me see you again"
Ohio ticks had no money but he
didn't see why that should keep him
from having Christmas present like
other people, so he broke into old man
John Renshaw's house. opened his trunk
and stole watch chain. Fearing detec-