The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1901-06-11

for the same
William A. slaughter represented Mr..
Smith and on his behalf spoke earnestly
of his many qualifications to operate such
place, having been connected with his
father for many years in conducting a
saloon. Ex-Prosecutor Budd appeared
for Mr.. Denness.
Judge Gaskill said it was decidedly en-
barrassing for him to be placed in such a
position, to decide between two such well
and favorably known men, but that as he
must make choice he felt that he should
grant the license to Mr.. Denness, as he
had presented petition signed by every
leading business man in Mount Holly, to
say nothing of the signatures of all the
county officials. The license was accord
ingly granted to Mr.. Denness and the fee
fixed at 5000, the license to 60 into effect
Immediately.
Charles G. Berry, the hotel keeper at
Jacksonville, who was convicted recently
of wife-be beating, was called up for SEN
tence. Ex-Prosecutor Budd addressed
the Court in plea for clemency. A fine
of $75 was imposed upon the defendant
Frank W. Harker and Richard G. Sooy,
convicted of timber stealing in the neigh
borhood of Browns Mills, were next sen
fenced. Their counsel, Jacob G. Hen
Hendrickson, spoke at great length in a
plea for mercy and presented a petition
signed by almost every prominent resi-
dent of the township in which the offense
was committed, asking that sentence be
suspended this time. The Judge, in pass
ing sentence, said he was forced to recog-
nize the petition even if his sympathies
instance several of the signers had seen
him and said they had only signed out of
sympathy at the same time feeling that
the interests of themselves and their fam
lilies, as well as their lives was in the hands
of lawless gang in that community, of
which the accused were undoubtedly the
ring-leaders. The Judge sentenced the
men to six months in the county jail
The application of John c. Murphy for
a hotel at Recklestown, against which
remon STRANGE had been filed, was next
taken up. George M. Hillman appeared
for Mr.. Murphy while Samuel W. Beldon
represented the remonstrants.
Alvan s. Read, the first witness called,
stated that his age was 16 years; that he
had been to Murphy's place on two oc-
casions, but had never purchased liquor;
that he had seen on these occasions pool
playing but not for drinks. The witness
seemed very reticent and the Judge threat
ened him with imprisonment unless he
told all the truth. As a result he stated
that he had been with his brother and that
the latter had played pool for drinks and
had also shook dice for drinks.
Harry S. Read, brother of the preced-
ing witness, testified that he lived in
Recklestown; had been to Murphy's place
many times, is but 10 years of age and
has had liquor there at each of these
times. Witness had also shook dice for
drinks and played pool for the same re-
ward.
John McCabe, a 2O-year- youth, also
testified that he had secured drinks at
and had played pool and shook
dice for drinks.
Miller Anderson, age 20, living near
Recklesstown. had been at Murphy's place
twice during the last year, but never
bought intoxicating liquor there, nor saw
other boys do so.
John Kelvy, age 10, was called and he
stated that while he had been in Murphy's
place several times it was always in com
pany with his father and he had never
purchased liquor although he had fire.
quently played pool there.
John Kelvy, ST., father of the above
young man, stated that he had played
'n1gger billiards" with his son in Murphy's
but that he has never seen his son drink
there. He had shaken dice there for the
drinks.
Edward Grant had been at Murphy's
place but twice during the past year, but
on each of these occasions he shook dice
1T the bar to see who paid for the drinks
Witness had never seen card playing in
the place.
James Horner had also been at Murphy's
place many times through the year. Had
frank there each time; shook dice there,
he loser paying for the drinks Murphy
would sometimes shake with the witness
Witness has also been in the place on a
Sunday but secured no liquor.
William Bell and Al Bell testified the |
Iame as the others, that they had shaken
lice and played pool for the drinks, AL
Bell surprising the Judge by saying that
Murphy has treated all the witnesses to-
lay and tried to get us full but couldn't.
James Dorsey had also secured liquor
through his ability to throw dice correctly.
James Danely had seen card playing for
thinks and also for money. Had also seen
Murphy sell liquor to intoxicated persons
The Judge told Mr.. Beldou that it was
for him to offer any more
evidence as he had heard enough. Mr.. |
Beldon stated that he was not half |
through, in fact he had his star witnesses
heard yet, but the Judge would not hear
hem.
Mr.. Hillman stated to the Court that on
account of some misunderstanding he had
no witnesses present, but that he would
call the applicant John c. Murphy, who
testified that he had kept hotel at Reck-
ess town for seven years. He had never
sold to minors nor allowed them to secure
liquor on the premises His testimony
was a complete disayowal of guilt, other
than he acknowledged the dice throwing
for drinks, but said he did not know it
was illegal to allow it. He further stated
when asked by the Court, that he had
been warned year ago by the Judge
against dice throwing, but that still he
did not know it was wrong. This seemed
to queer whatever hopes Murphy may
have had, for Judge Gaskill delivered a
singing essay on ignorant hotel
keepers, and said that any man who did
not know it was wrong to allow dice
was not fit to have license,
and he would thereby refuse Mr.. Murphy