Waterbury Democrat., 1902-01-04
NAUGATUCK NUGGETS.
George Beck Fined $15 and Costs in
 Court This Morning.

Court This Morning.
 The case of George Beck, the young man charged with using a knife on a youth named Charles Mccarthy, Christmas eve, was brought to close in the borough court yesterday after noon. Deputy Judge Hamilton pre- sided. There was no evidence taken yesterday. All that was deemed nee essary was taken Monday, when the case was first brought up It will be remembered that the testimony Mon day brought out the fact that McCar- thy and Charles Welch, Michael Lun- dy and r. Brennan, all minors, had been drinking in Packers saloon on Rubber avenue, and that they were ordered out of the saloon for creating a disturbance, and further, after being put out of Packers, Welch and a man named Anderson got into q fight and that the rest pitched onto Anderson. It was then that Beck appeared first in the fight. He told the youths to give Anderson a fair show, and when he did he claimed the gang started for him and he pulled a knife and ordered them to keep away or someone would get cut. They did keep away and went to Ryan's saloon on Water street, where they again pitched into Beck, with the result that Mccarthy was cut. All this was brought out in court Monday, and yesterday afterno6h's session was confined to the arguments of Prosecuting Attorney Sweeney and of Senator Kenne0y, attorney for Beck. In the course of his remarks Attorney Sweeney for the state Sai0 that inasmuch as the boys did not get Beck into a corner, as it were, and as they did not threaten to kill him, he was not justified in using the knife. Attorney Sweeney then said he would like to know in Gods name what show 19 year old boy would have in the clutches of an able bodied man of 23 like Beck. MT Sweeney also produced the knife, which was quite large jackknife with a long blade and cury- ed at the point In conclusion he said if his honor thought Beck innocent, why, then, he should go free, but if he did allow him to go free he should say to the young men of the town, you are allowed to use a deadly weapon at the slightest provocation. Attorney Kennedy for the defense stated that a good deal had been made of the knife, but he said he had seen many like it and that many men i'll town carried pocketknives like it. MT Ken nedy then summed up the testimony, stating that all there was to the case was that Beck was pitched upon at Packers and was justified in pulling the knife in defending himself. He also stated the facts which led to the fight at Ryan's and said that Beck had to draw the knife to get away from the crowd that was closing ill around him. In the course of his remarks MT Kennedy asked the judge to gaze on the row of youthful prisoners, that row of minors, and said: Just think of it. licensed liquor dealer Of Nau- gatuck selling rum to such persons. tSuch a condition of affairs was enough to make the father of family shuu- der.'' In regard to Mccarthy chances against Beck the attorney said that i'll the fight with Mccarthy Beck's eyes were blackened, and ask ed who did it. He then added Wltn bitter sarcasm if it was not one or the youthful rum drinkers? MT henneuy said that one of the young men linpll- cated in the affair, and the youngest one of the party, has had eyerythlhg done for him that could be done 10 make him change his ways, and ne then went on to say that Mccarthy had been warned by the police ana begged by his mother to keep out OF rum shops. but he will not. At the con clusion of Attorney Kennedy's re marks Judge Hamilton imposed q hhe of S15 and costs on Beck, which was paid by the prisoners mother Tn re card to the trial of the other young fsen. the judge continued their case until next Friday.
 The J. S. Berger's company presented their musical comedy version or Kip Van Wrinkle" at the Gem opera house last night. The attendance was sim and the play was one of the worst ever presented here. The company were ID present "Heroes and SWeethearts at the opera house tonight and give matinee this afternoon, but Manager Morse. who to say was dlsgusted would be putting it light, informed their manager that the best thing tae company could do was to pack up ana leave town. This they aid, leaving town early this morning.
 There was no session of the borough court this morning.
 The regular monthly musical service will be held at St Michael S church to- morrow evening.