The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-11-02
JUSTICE JOHN
AND THE PARADE
He Holds His Own Against Outside
Attractions.
TAKES GOOD CARE OF CROOKS.
An OId-Issuo Negro Goes for one or
the Younger Gcncration-The Ran
dolphs Out Talk Their Ancient
Nciahoor-A Drunken Wife.
TAKES GOOD CARE OF CROOKS.


ners before him yesterday. Justice John
changed the epigramatic sentence win
which he opens court from ''let her go 10
'Iet her slide" And although the Great
Dispenser played against TREMENDOUS
counter attraction. he held his own with
ease and the audience stayed until the
curtain was rung down and the orchestra
done playing.
The rumble of floats. shouts Of many
voices, and the occasional beat Of drum
failed to stampede the splendid audience
who had read Of the Great Dispenser
and his court and now came to sit at his
feet and drink in his words OF VII
and wisdom.
LET 'EM DOWN EASY,
after the launching" cases comprised
most of the docket and lcnlency was eA-
ercsed By officers and The Court wher-
ever the purpose of the law could De
subserved without punishment
A number OF crooks who visited the city
for the purpose of preyins on the crowd
answered the charge Of being suspicious
characters and were locked up until after
the parade "for the good of their health
although they appeared to be a well-ied
hearty set OF fellows.
The took the prescription with grim
appreciation Of the humor.
Ben Hausman. an old citizen. de-
voice OF Bacchus FOR many years, came
up on the charge with It's degfadatioh.
that finally comes TO every haDltual
Misunderstanding. He was charged win
stealing q coat and two pies.
WITHOUT A CAUSE.
The evidence was that he was very
drunk and there could be no reason Tor
him to commit a theft. His past repu-
totion as a good citizen was considered
and he was convicted only on the charge
or being drunk He was put under bonds
and sent TO Jail for thirty days.
VIM. Randolph colored. an old issue
negro was brought from the pen to an
swer the charge Of cutting with q KNIFE
lanes Thomas Johnson, Of a younger
generation Williams head was band
AGED until It looked like a dropsical baie
of cotton yarn. q mute witness 10 tne
able manner I'm which the old man did
him up.
The case was continued and the evil
dence was not heard.
A TERRIBLE BLOW.
Isaac Randolph and Cornelius Ran
dolph. father and son. were charged Win
heating A. Parsons. the two elder men
being gray headed old darlIies, and the
scion Of the house Of Randolph belns
a stalwart young man.
ola man Parsons had no witness except
his own word while the mother father.
and son of the Randolphs were an abdlns' i
him. Isaac Randolph told how the olh-
or old man struck at him with space
and how he struck back az Parsons Win
his fist but missed and struck the fence.
which he nearly knocked down WIN 'no
blow. how old man Parsons went into
the house and returned with pistol be-
hind him and then dramatically got the
drop on his old neighbor, Randolph.
KETTLE AND THE POT.
The witness utilized the forum in front
Of the court bench to give a graphic and
practical illustration Of old man Parsons
with bis spade and his pistol. initiating
the old mans hobbling walk and his ex-
element. a sure enough example of the
kettle calling the pot black
During the recital old man Parsons
stood daZed and helpless, the weight OF
evidence growing with the impression he
believed was being made upon the Great
Dispenser.
Justice John took in the situation and
lemdfheQ Olu man. 9'h f' E'N N-itN'
AGAINST one But l must have something
for my trouble all hands pay costs"
Then the supplemented Parsons near
" talked himself into the pen in dis
satisfaction at the verdict lie will never
know what a narrow escape he made
from old man Randolphs Herculean
blow.
A DRUNKEN WIFE
H. NJ. Bassick was charged with beat
ing his wife. The woman was not pres
ent and the officer testified that she
had a black eye. Bassick denied that
he did anything but slap her and justi-
fed himself on the ground that Mrs. Bas-
sick had been drunk for eleven months,
drank up everything he made, and would
not cook or do anything for him.
LEAVE EN-, But DON'T BEAT EN-
you can leave 'em, but you shant
strike EN-" was the Great Dispensers
verdict. and the case was continued for
the woman 10 appear.
Charles Whitney for being drunk and
begging on the street. went TO the chain
gang for fifteen days
Considering the character OF the day
when people were wet and full Of en-
thusiasm and other things the Great Dis
penser hunted around for excuses 10 for
give light offences where there was no
criminal intent.
Even youthful indscretion was count
ed as an eXtenuating circumstance for
two boys named Clarence.