The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-10-05
THOMPSON TURNED
STATES EVIDENCE
One of the Defendants in the
Gambling Cases
EXPLAINED GAME OF CRAPS
Kept on Stand for Several Hours by
Attorneys for the Defense Under
Heavy Cross Fire-B.C. Dry
er's Case Nolle Pressed
EXPLAINED GAME OF CRAPS

The trial of the men arrested in the now
famous raid on the Exchange gambling
rooms began yesterday afternoon in police
court and some interesting testimony de-
veloped.
One of the men arrested appeared as a
witness for the city and explained every
thing to the court. He told of the crap
games and who played, placing his own
name in the list. The young mans name Is
Thompson and after informing the counsel
for both sides that he was fully acquainted
with "craps'' he explained to Judge Feagin
the intricaeies of the game. He told what
Won and lost and quoted the exact price of
chips. Mr. Thompson said that he was
aware that he was not required to give tes-
timony that would criminate himself but in
sisted that he had come there to swear the
truth and would do so. He stated that he
staid in the room nearly two hours and
made a few passes both of the large
crap tables, cashing in SITS at the finish.
This testimony brought forth hurricane
of cross questions from the counsel for the
defense and it was with difficulty at times
that Thompson could be made to answer
the searching questions. This witness was
that court had to adjourn at 7:3O until this
morning.
Colonel s. w. John appeared as the attor-
ney for the city, and the defense was rep
resented by P. G. Bowman, B. M. Allen and
Morris doveman. The case opened up with
strong argument between the attorneys
on the technical demurrers of the defend
ants counsel to the affidavlts against one
of the men. The judge decided in favor OF
the city, however, and the trial proceeded.
B. C. Dryer was the first defendant ar
raigned, but after hearing Captain Weirs
statement the case against him was nolle
pressed. The evidence did not show that
he had bet or had taken any part in the
gambling. Captain Weir told of the raid
on the rooms and accurately described the
location of the doors and how the tables
were arranged. 1t was decided that Mr..
Dryer be released, and the next case was
called. j. w. Mason appeared in the role
of defendant, and the testimony of Captain
Weir had to be reheard. ]. W. Thompson,
one of the defendants, was then called as
witness for the city, and from the time of
his appearance was the star of the entire
performance. Graphically he described the
tables and the alleged gamblers in answer
to the questions from Colonel John. He
said that he had seen Mr.. Mason shooting
craps, and he was positive of the fact, be-
cause Mason had stood next to him on the
left side.
Mr.. Bowman then took the witness and
RECALLED the court with some scorching cross
questions. Thompson said that he was a
cousin of Policeman Thompson and that
his cousin had made his bond 1t developed
that Thompson had been taken to the
chiefs office on the night of the raid and
had made bond there. He stated posi-
lively, however, that he had been offered
nothing whatever from the police to testify |
against the other defendants. Mr.. Thomp- |
son said he was an engineer and worked |
for the Smith Mining company at FOSSIL. |
During the testimony Colonel John had |
the chief to bring in one Of the crap tables
so that the court could more clearly under
stand the game. Eight men were required
to move the huge table into the court
room. 1t was placed against one of the
walls and will remain there throughout the
trials.
At 7:30 Mr.. Bowman stated that he was
through with the witness and court adj
journed until this morning at 10:30
The court room was packed throughout |
the proceedings, as the trial is attracting |
great attention all over the city.