The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-12-17
EKILED FROM MARYLAND
Thomas Ramsburg. of Frederick,
Given a Unique Sentence.
He Pleads Guilty to Stealing Turkeys
and Is Banished 10 the District
of Columbia - The Court DELHI
crates Before Giving Decision
The Action Widely Discussed.

FREDERICK, Md, Dec 1e.-Banishment
70 the effete and desolate precincts of the
District of Columbia, where for two years
he must drink of the germ-laden waters
of the Potomac. ride in open cars in Janu-
airy, and breath the miasmic atmosphere
arising from the Anacostia Flats is the
punishment which Judge in this city
Saturday imposed upon Thomas Ramsburg
for the crime Of having stolen two tur-
keys. valued at s1.25 each, from his
nephew, Elmer Ramsburg
Ramsburg is an old man. and his ex-
patriation In this manner Is regarded as
a severe penalty 10 one who has lived
long beneath the clustered spires OF
Frederick Town. and the action of the
court is being widely discussed here.
Elmer Ramsburg has a fine flock OF tur-
keys, which he has been carefully educat-
ing for the holiday market by feeding
them large quantities of Maryland grown
corn. The birds have been wont TO roost
nightly upon the bough of friendly apple
tree In their owners back yard. One
night a couple of weeks ago there were
heard sounds OF distress, the warning
gahble of the king OF the flock aDd the
fatter Of many wings. Next morning when
Elmer. with his pan of corn, called the
birds 10 their breakfast and counted them
be discovered that two OF the largest tur-
keys were missing. He had carefully
guarded from them the secret Of his in
fention TO dispose of theE' for Christmas
dinners, and knew that hone had fed 10
escape that fate. His enquiry TO ascertain
their whereabouts revealed the fact thai
his aged uncle mad been seen hieing him
self 20 Washington with bird gndcr each
arm. In his anger he forgot the ties Of
kHsfip which exist between him and The
cid man, and notified the Washington au-
thorities TO arrest his uncle. with the re-
sui; that Detectives Weldon and Parham
arrested the old man. AMI he was sent
back TO the scene of his crime To stand
judgment pefoie the law.
The evidence was so strong against him
that he admitted The theft and threw him
seif upon the mercy OF the court. Chicken
stealing is regarded rs a grave offence in
the oriole State. and its practice is gen.
orally confined TO the negro population.
Turkey stealing is considered 10 he in the
saric class. and the punishment is in such
cases severe. and Of necessity so. for the
preservation and protection OF the sacred
hen roost The cour; was d,sincllned to
consider mitigating circumstances or re-
lattonship. He reviewed the criminal code
In search Of penalty which would ri the
crime. and after much deliberation came
TO the conclusion that az a citizen of
Maryland, Ny MaryiaLd.' he could con-
ceire OF no greater punishment than exile
to the District of Columbia. Accordingly,
with all judicial solemnity he directed that
Tbs rnas Ramsburg should leave Frederick
and betale himself TO the distant realm
Of the District Of Columbia, there TO re-
main in exile for the period Of two years.
Ramsburg will enter uron the career OF
his Punishment ct once