Waterbury Democrat., 1902-04-07
FRUIN DISCHARGED.
Lotus Club Bottled Goods and Hard
 Stuffn Destroyed.


 Stuff" Destroyed.
 The case against John II. Fruin for keeping policy shop at 29l Bank street was heard by Judge Burpee In the city court to-day, and after trlai of three-quarters of an hour truin Was declared not guilty. Attorney LaWlor conducted the detense. Dr De Ligoufl was the only witness who appeared against Fruin. He testified that some weeks ago he paid small sum or money to an alleged writer for Fruin The doctor was almost sure of winning. He said he did not know that by play ing the game he was violating the law, but he knew that Eruin by keeping such place was liable to the law. About a dozen officers testified. Some of them said that John T. Sullivan was writing On a blackboard when they entered the place last Friday night Three men were in the office evidently making up their accounts for the day, and there were number of men standing around. Fruin was not there. None of the otfi- cers could say that Fruin was now manager of the place or connected with 1t in any way. but that he had the rep utation. Most of them knew that he owns the building in which the alleged gambling shop is situated. Sergeant Blake1y and a few officers said that they had frequently seen Fruin enter the place. They heard also the Tam many club meets there. They were not aware that some of the most promi- nent men, in tile city belonged to Tam many, and Sergeant Blakely said he never heard that Fruin was Tam manyite. It developed that the reputed main entrance to the gambling place was also the family entrance to sa- loon. furniture store and restaurant and short cut to Chatfield alley. After this Fruin was put on the stand. He admitted that some time ago he did conduct q policy game on the premises in question. but that some months ago he sold out to John T. Sullivan. He never had any relations with Dr De Ligouri, but the doctor came to him and demanded money, claiming he won a certain amount on policy. Fruin told the doctor he had nothing to do with the game. Being asked what lis business was, he said that until re- gently he owned saloon in the West End, and that he owns an interest i'll q plumbing shop and q concrete business. In disposing of the case, Judge Burpee said that no matter what his private opinion may be, and no matter what the accused's reputation may have been, he was entitled to the benefit of the doubt. It was necessary to nave corroborating evidence to stand by the doctors. There was none. Fruin was not charged with having the reputation of being the owner of the alleged gambling house; he was charged di- rect1y with being the owner of tic place In this also he was entitled to the benefit of the doubt, and therefore the court was compelled to discharge him.
 The statutory time for the disposi- ton of the liquors seized in the Lotus club rooms having passed and no one appearing with reason why the liquors should not be destroyed, the court CT dered their confiscation this morning. They consisted of various brands Of gin, brandy, bottled whiskeys, six cases of beer and "hard stuff" of var1- ous kinds.
 Michael Breen was fined s and costs and S10 and costs for resistance. and Michael Callahan, for assaulting Pat rick Lynch with shovel in the Farrel foundry. had sentence suspended.
 After the discharge of Fruin and the court room emptied an account book was found among the paraphernalia seized in the place by the police show ing him to be the owner of the build ing in which the gambling is situated Prosecutor Durant thereupon issued 2 warrant charging him with being the owner of a building in which gambling games are carried on. This case vii be called tomorrow morning.