The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-09-17
THEY PLEAD GUILTY
md SERVE Sentence
Continued from First Page.)


OF Captain Angle. He said that SO far
as he was concerned he would take no
further action, having fully vindicated
himself
THE TRIAL.
Promptly at o'clock Justice Crutch-
field stepped into the courtroom from
his Office and requested Sergeant Thomas
to call the cases against the seven men
chal ged with gaming. In compliance
with this order from the court the officer
proceeded to read from batch of war
rants in his hands the names Of Coles
Jordan. Walter Gathright. Thomas Ly-
ors, II. Pellegrini. Samuel Miller, Will
liam Phelps and Hector Puryear. All
were present except the last named. and
it was necessary to telephone him to ap-
pear as he was engaged in the construc-
ton of bridge at the Trgg Shipyard.
During the delay occasioned by the ali
sence Of Puryear. Justice Crutchfie!d
amused himself with a few pleasant
roastS of the newspaper men and the
lawyers interested in the cases. Refer
ring to the reporters. he said they were
4 set of smart Alecs, and if ever he got
one Of them in hook and he was proven
guilty he would burn him up.
Mr.. Richardson examined the new war
rants while waiting for the arrival of
Pr,1year, after which, at the instance Of
the Justice. Officer Wyatt served each
of the six men in the room with the one
sworn out against them. He then
marked them executed, and still Pur-
!'ear was missing.
It was now twenty minutes after the
time set for the cases to go to trial, and
everyone was getting nervous The con-
slant buzz from the threats Of the hun
dreds present proved quite a source of
annoyance. whereuponF Justice John de-
manded of Attorney Harry Smith why
Puryear was not present.
WORKING FOR A LIVING
"Ycur Honor" said Mr. Smith,, "Pur-
year is at present engaged in trying to
earn a living by the sweat of his brow,
and / trust you will encourage him for
few minutes longer. He is building
bridge at the sIipyards, and will be here
presently.
This reply of the lawyer brought forth
much laughter. and at this moment Pur-
year walked into the courtroom. lie
was sweating. too, and Mr.. Smith imine-
diately called attention to the truth of
his statement.
From this moment the cases were on
in earnest and Mr.. Richardson arose and
asked if the cases would be tried separ-
ately, but the question was never an
swered, for the second that Mr.. Richard
son resumed his chair. Mr.. Harry Glenn
was upon his feet. He said:
Il desire to make this statement about
these cases. The charges against the
seven gentlemen you will fully under
stand, your Honor and ! am here to en-
ter a plea of guilty under the second
warrant. We are here to throw our
selves upon the mercy of the court. and
request a fine of 800 and the minimum
Jail sentence, one day. ] believe that the
ends of justice will have been met and
all richmond will be satisfied with such
a sentence.
GAMING WAS WINKED AT.
With this brief statement Mr. Glenn
again seated himself. having stated in
few words as possible just what the de-
Tense wanted. II ewas followed by Mr..
Harry Smith, who said:
After a conference with my clients
and the other attorneys interested in
these cases, we have decided upon the
step just made plain to you by Mr.
Glenn Since I have been interested in
this matter I have met upon the streets
and at other places hundreds of people
who have spoken to me about this affair,
and not one of them is of the opinion
that the end of justice requires any ex-
traordinary sentence for these men, who
now come here and throw themselves
upon your mercy.
Gambling has been going on in Rich
mond ever since 1 can remember. and
that is some twenty-five years. It is
useless to pretend that it wasn't known
to every one, but l do not believe the
police ever saw any games going on.
However. there can be no doubt but they
were aware that gambling was practical
ly open and had a good idea where the
houses were. Richmond, according to my
idea, has had the best of most cities in
the country ON the gaming question. for
all of the houses were Of a high class
and only straight games We're played.
These We're winked at by the people and
known to the police
WILL GAMBLE NO MORE.
while the men who are now before
you charged with violating the law are
unquesticnably guilty. they are men Of
a high sense of honor and tender feelings
and no one has ever beenSgiVen the worst
Of ii by them. Some of them We're among
the best soldiers in the Confederate army
and number among their friends in Rich
,1ond the very best citizens of Richmond
they have not played a card or conduct
ed a game of any kind since last March,
and l think your Honor should lend them
a helping had III changing their life.
Several of them have already gone TO
work, and others are looking for posi-
tons and fell sale III Saying tleE VIII
never again engage in the occupation for
which they are now on trail.
LAS stated above. these men ceased
gambling and closed up their houses last
March. public sentiment demanding it.
But for some unforeseen circumstances
these men would have never been brought
into court. This affair is due entirely "
a misunderstanding between certain mem
hers of the police force, which. is to be
regretted.
ut would be foolish for me to say that
my clients had not violated the law. and
don't believe any one of them would
have gone on the stand and taken an
oath to the effect that they had never
done so. but they can't see the necessity
of bringing all of the young men and
others into court
Mr.. Smith closed his speech with
plea for a 500 fine and a one-day sem
cfof s,,er hot u II nf tho ma