Evening star., 1901-08-31
BEFORE THE POLICE COURT
EIGHT WOMEN CHARGED WITH vIO-
LATING THE LAW.
The Testimony Given by POlfcemen-
Defendants Said to Frequent
Chesapeake Junction.


who were arrested Wednesday night on
charges Of vagrancy while returning from
Chesapeake Junction. a crowd Of fully 300
people gathered in the Police Court this
morning. Many of those who crowded the
court room were young men and boys who
knew the young women or had seen them
at the dances across the District line. The
seats were all occupied early In the morn
ing. and standing room was at premium
long before the case was called. Many who
arrived after 10 o'clock were unable to get
inside the swinging DOORS and they were
therefore sadly disappointed
Judge Kimball directed the bailih to have
the spectators vacate the seats inside the
bar, and they were given to policemen and
attorneys Five of the defendants, who had
been cared for at the house of detention
since their arrest, were driven to the court
this morning in the van provided for that
purpose. Their names were given as Rose
Johnson, Lottie Brown, Jennie Davis, Annie
Smith and Mary Walker. Henry E. Marks
had become surety for Blanche Lewis and
Madge Davis. while Ella Hall made herself
responsible for the appearance Of Fannie
Northridge.
Just before the defendants were called
Judge Kimball remarked that the court
was crowded with people who had been at
tracted by the case. They had come
through curiosity. and the judge said he in
tended to see that that curiosity was not
gratified. By direction of the court the
bailiffs cleared the court of everybody ex-
cept policemen and members OF the bar.
Attorneys Sillers. Ryan, Kicks and Moss
appeared for the several defendants. Mr..
Sinclair represented the prosecution.
When the women were called upon to
plead Mr.. Sillers moved that separate in
formations be filed in the cases Of his
clients. He said he objected to having
them all charged in one information and
called in like herd of cattle. when they
are human beings" A demand for jury
trial was made by counsel and overruled by
the court.
First Cases Called.
Attorneys Moss and Kicks, counsel for
Rose Johnson and Lottie Brown, agreed
that their clients should be tried together,
and their cases were first called.
Policeman Russell was the first witness
examined. He does duty in the ninth pre-
cirot. which includes that part of the
county adjacent to Chesapeake Junction.
The defendant whose name Is given as
Johnson, the witness said, he understood
Is really named Owens. She is one of the
habitual visitors to the resorts at Chesa-
peake Junction, in Prince Georges county,
Md. She spends much of her time at the
junction, the witness stated, and usually
goes out early in the day and sometimes
remains there all night. Witness said he
had seen men accompany her to the resorts
and he had also seen her pick them up"
out there.
At this juncture Mr.. Andrew Beach, the
reputed owner of one Of the resorts. who
was In the court. was ordered to be ex-
cluded from the ROOM Mr.. Silers said he
objected to the exclusion of Mr.. Beach,
who was present with counsel, and Mr..
Beach was permitted to return.
The witness. continuing, said he had seen
the woman about Beach's place. He had
seen her go from Beach's place to a place
kept by man named Godfrey. Godfrey's
place, the witness said. has the reputation
Witness said he had seen the woman men,
toned drinking. and had seen her under
the influence of HQuOr.
How many times have you seen her out
there?' the witness was asked.
About fifteen or twenty times"
Witness said he had known Lottie Brown
as street walker for about four years He
tcld of her frequent visits to Chesapeake
Junction and Of her disOrderly conduct with
men on the cars coming to this city.
Policeman Newkirk's Testimony.
Policeman Newkirk Of the sixth precinct
testified that he was acquainted with both
defendants. He said he had known Rose
Brown for about three years. Both defend
ants, he said. he knew as prostitutes. He
said he arrested Rose Johnson more than
a year ago. She lives on Missouri avenue.
More Police Testimony.
After recess Policeman Bryan was called.
He said he has known the defendants since
about the 1st Of June He had seen them
on the cars and at Chesapeake Junction.
Witness said the Johnson girl frequents
the place known as Godfrey's in the day
time Lottie Brown, he said, usually calls
at the junction between and 8 o'clock
and returns as late as midnight or later.
She usually goes out alone and returns
with two or three men. He had seen Rose
Johnson about five times and had seen her
under the influence Of liquor. Witness had
never seen either defendant do anything in
the District that would have justified him
In arreSting them.
Policeman Fraser of the first precinct tes-
titled that he had known the defendants
as Lottie Brown and Rose Owens, and told
Of their reputation.
He had seen the latter woman under the
influence of liquor a number of times Wit
ness told of an investigation he made con-
cerning LOttie Brown several months ago.
She admitted having stopped at hotels with
different men and witness said he had
heard her solicit business on the street.
Policeman Vanderschaaf testified that he