The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-01-21
FIVE YEARS SENTENCE.
PROMINENT CITIZENS GET MIXED
UP IN A ROOSTER CASE.
of Ono r.. X. Chesterman-Mock Trial
Surprisingly Funny.

With every seat taken. with standing
room at premium. with the turning
away OF two hundred people at the crowd
ed auditorium entrance. and lastly. with
a thousand pair of aching sides to meas
ure the enjoyment OF the evening. II is
"A modest form OF expression indeed 10
term the mock court at the I. NJ. {.
A. Hall last evening IA success.
largely surprising. OF course every one
present knew what a mock court was
from personal contact, but no one mad
contemplated the muniicence ana gran
deur that the theft OF single unextra-
ordinary rooster could assume.
VERY FUNNY.
But IL was surpass .ngly funny. The
audience laughed and became tired OF
laughing.
The court. and a magnificent array Of
justice it made. was comprised Of:
Judge Col. John y harwood
Complainant .......Mr. Hill Montague
Defendant 49,. Mr.. Evan r. Chesterman
Clerk of court ........ Mr.. Chas. o. Savllle
Officer. ........ .Sergt. Claiborne Epps
Prosecuting attorneys. 49,. ........,.
Mr.. J. Garland Pollard, Mr.. Jas. Gordon
Defendants attorneys ..,.....;;;' -.
Col. NJ. l.. Dawson, Col. a. V. Newton
Court stenographer Mr.. ID. A.. Rltcnle
Crier .........Mr. c. b. Richardson
WITNESSES.
Mr.. T.. III. Cloves, Mrs c. 7. BrenSle'
Mr.. F. L. Wells. Master Ernest Page;
DIR. ID. A. Kuyk, DR.. j. {. HARRISON ana
Miss Mamie Pegram.
JURORS.
' '''.''..'.......Mr. ]. beroy Sutherland
John J. Crutchheld. Mr.. J. G. Armistead
Hon. Mark Hanna Mr.. g. w. Hunter. Jr
Cyclone Samuels ..... Mr.. w. ID. DUKE
Hon. John w Daniel. Mr.. F.. Il. Sydnor
Hon. Jerry Simpson. Mr.. +. W Laughton
Hon. w. j. Bryan. Mr.. Hay Garnett
General l'OXHK T. -. T..
Hon. Richard Taylor. Observation-Disclosures.
.............M Mr.. p. St George Barraud
Hon. d. b. Ill.,. Mr.. J. Fenton Taylor
Mrs Mary Lease ..... Mr.. q, J. 1 Benson ID
Coroner W. ~ TAILOR Mr.. Asa Johnson
EVAN CHEsTERMAN'S CASE.
After deciding the cases OF Phil. Parsley
for over-exertion. Thomas j. Todd for
eating all the oysters In the church res
tival stew and Henry Trimble for intoM-
cation on one drink, in which the court
in the first sentenced the prisoner TO the
Laurel RefOrmatory for being under age
I'm the second decided 10 quash the IN
dictment and in the third sentenced the
prisoner TO a course at the Kelley lnstl-
tute TO improve his capacity. the court
took up the case Of the Commonwealth
VS. Evan Chesterman for the larceny or
a Plymouth Rock Rooster OF the sporting
value OF So from Mr.. Hill Montague, a
white man.
The prosecution objected TO a woman :
sitting on a jury in Virginia and cited
Judge John Crutchhelds decision IN re-
gard 10 a similar instance.
The court ruled that no person In petit
coats be allowed 10 ait on the jury.
Mrs. Lease was excused, but before the
panel could be again made up. reappeareu
without the offending garment and attir-
ed in a natty "bloomer' suit. The prose-
cution withdrew its objections.
After this. beyond the constant court
ship between or rather among the Jurors
md Ire | he -
idly.
The testimony of each side was over
whelming. The prosecution through the
statements OF several able bodied men and
one charming lady demonstrated that the
rooster had been stolen from the Monta-
que "roostery' and had been used as a
participant In a rooster fight in the stable
Of DR. Jud Wood on the night OF De-
cember 2lt1. last. that number OF cele-
brated townspeOple had been in attend
ance at the pit" side and that the fowl
had last been seen in the possession OF
the defendant.
EXPERT TESTIMONY.
The defense produced expert testimony,
showing that the plaintiff was mono
maniac and his subject was Plymouth
Rock BOOSTERS and being Of this unsOund
mind his statement should not be taken
into account The defense through an
other charming lady showed that the case
was the result Of a conspiracy TO work
upon this mania Of the plaintiffs between
persons having grudges against the plain
tiff and defendant
The jury after being fined by the de-
Tense found the prisoner guilty and rec
commended that he be ''penned' for five
years.
Then witnessed the collapse of the de-
Tense as the audience arose TO their feet.
Secretary Mckee announced that there
would probably be a repetition of the
Court" in which a breach Of promise
case would be heard at some near future
occasion.