The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-05-06


and also his neck. Soiomsn had some
difficult matters in justice and equity
70 decide himself, but it Is not recorded
that he ever had a dog case requiring
the nice shading of decision involved
in the one referred to above.
Justice Johns judicial acumen was
tested in this case under pressure equal
to the boiler Of a torpedo boat and stood
the strain.
A FINE DOG.
The dog I'm question had many friends
and they were present In court 80 detend
his good name. There was no Dog Tray
business In connection with tnis canine
His associates were among the best peo-
pie in Richmond. and it was shown mat
an the children in the ncighborhood were
In love with him.
An expert was placed on the stand to
testify 10 his value as dog and gave
him double frst-class bill OF ladins
4 number OF prominent uptown Gil
zcns were in court in connection WIN
the case. one of the most astute crimi-
nal lawyers in the city defended the
dog and the witnesses included doctors,
TuFFfNhnfrs faiAfftN fh'iF ~
alderman. and 4 number Of ladies ana
miscellaneous testimony including a let
ter, was admitted.
THE CHARGE.
A Main.street gentleman was charged
with having vicious dog running AT
large in the street.
The canine in question is mastif.
and the charge was lodged By a gentle
man who owns a pointer. and the EVIL
dence sought to be established was that
the mastin bit. chewed. dragged, and
otherwise msltreated the pointer while
the pointer WAS peacably strolling along
the street.
Ono assault occurred n year ago and
the last within the past two weeks. each
time the pointer being seriously wounded.
Much banter took place between the
Great Dispenser and the astute criminal
lawyer As TO the character Of the Of
fence alleged TO have been committed by
the mastn.
The lawyer held that as the dog used
only natural weapons, that no guns.
knives or razors were drawn. that the
assault. II as alleged, was not premedi-
tated. and therefore the offense under
the only law by which YOU could try ts-
saults. could be no more than A simple
misdemeanor, but the Great Dispenser
decided that as the dog was being tried
FOR his life II was bound 10 be a felony
PROMINENT WITNESSES.
Many prominent witnesses were put
upon the stand and no dog in Richmond
was ever given so gilt-edge a character
for gentleness and amiability towards
the human kind as this dog mastih, but
the Great Dispenser with an inquisitlve
turn Of mind addressed his inquiries 10
his standing among the members OF his
own race.
The alderman said he had known the
dog from puppy 20 manhood and his
character was unimpeachable.
4 lady testified 10 his amiability and
said she shook paws with him the first
time she ever saw him This was set
down by the Great Dispenser as fine d.
plomacy on her part.
A drug clerk on the corner testified
that he saw him fight three times, but
could not say which dog was the at
gressor.
BUSINESS TRANSACTION
Another gentleman saw him have a fight
too. on this occasion the mastin was
carrying a basket of grapes for his mis-
tress Another dog said something he
did not like. lie set the basket OF grapes
down, took off his coat rolled up MS
sleeves. and thrashed the other dog 20
standstir and again took up the WhIte
mans burden and meditauye air.
4 MUSICIAN said the dogs only fault
was TOO great friendlness. He said ne
was fun and running over with amiabil-
~ and likely 10 demonstrate II az mop
perfume moments. For cordiality ana po-
likeness the doog stood A No. /, shook
hands on arriving and leaving, was thor
oughly good natured-indeed was quite
q wag.
The evidence against the dog as 70 the
second attack on the pointer was entire
" circumstantial until well-known
wholesale grain ana feed dealer-a bela'-
ell witness-was put upon the stand.
AN ANXIOUS MOMENT.
Then indeed the faces OF the ladies'
OF the household whore lived the mas
tit. who stood In the doorway or JUS
tlce Johns office, watching with inten-
sity the fate Of their faithful friend
showed pathetic anxiety
The merchant had seen both fights and
said the mastlm was equal to Hon Tor
lighting The last time he dragged the
pointer u square. chewing on him all the
while, and indifferent TO rain Of blows
with sticks and stones showered on him
by crowd Of men 10 make him let 30.
Finally two men got the two dogs
across a tree box and rather than be
sawed I'm two. the mastr let go.
Up to this period il was plain sailing
for the astute criminal lawyer, but right
here things grew serious.
FIGHTING RECORD.
The masun's fighting record was grow
ing fast. but no one could swear who
-a and there fingered
the verdict.
The Great Dispenser reviewed the case
and said that as the evidence had not been
adduced TO show that the mastiff was vic
ious and that no one saw which dog
commenced the fight. justice required
tina; II one dog was killed. both most die
that as he did not suppose the complain
ant desired to lose his dog too, ne would
dismiss the charge.
Thus ended the most interesting case IN
the Police Court for many moons.
BUM SHELLY.
Bum Shelly appeared before the Great
Dispenser in much crumpled and suriy
condition. wearing uncomfortaby the re-
suit Of last nights debauch TO answer the
charge of creating disturbance in the
Fifth-Street Colored Baptist church.
Bum entered the sanctuary with pro
fame language on his lips. and attacked
the officers OF the church with black
jack when they invited him out and
kicked one OF the deacons In the stom-
ach In q most undlgnifed and rude man
ner.
IaTa Bum de aye. remarked the Great
dispenser and the dlsturber OF religious
worship viii have year to repent In
jail