Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-04
ROCKVILLE AND VICINITY.
Trials Of Persons Indicted for Viola
ton Of Local Option Law.
d CORRESPONDENCE of The Evening Star.

ton Of Local Option Law.
Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star.
ROCKVILLE. Nd. December 8, 1902.
The entire day in the circuit court here
today was taken up with the trial of local
option cases. Quite number were dis
posed of, and the heavy sentences imposed
in the case in which convictions resulted
have created something akin to consterna-
ton among those proprietors Of speak
easies" against whom indictments are pend
ing. There is every Indication that the
court has at last decided to break up
fragrant violations of the local option law,
and if heavy penalties are imposed in the
remaining cases docketed for trial 1t is
generally believed it will go long way
toward accomplishing this much desired
end.
The first of these cases called for trial
today was against Sadie Houck, once we'll
known as professional ball player, who is
said to be the proprietor of road house on
the Conduit road The accused was not In
court, neither was he represented by coun-
sci, but Judge Henderson insisted upon the
case being tried. consequently the state had
things all Its own way. The prosecuting
witness was Mr. Frank P. Stone, a farmer
who resides in Potomac district. He swore
ne mad on numerous occasions purchased
intoxicating liquor from Houck. He was
the only witness and as there were no ar
guments of counsel, the case was given to
the jury after record-breaking trial in
point OF brevity. The accused was quickly
found guilty. A second case, which was a
repetition of the first in every respect was
also Led, the jury likewise quickly finding
him guy. Houck had given bond in the
sum of 500 in each case for his appearance
at court, Mr.. Ninian M. Perry being his
surety, and the court declared the recogniz-
anceS forfeited.
John H kelchner, proprietor of the Mont
gomery House at this place, and James F.
kelchner, manager of the same hotel, ca oh
pleaded guilty to violating the local option
law and were given the maximum penalty
$500 fine or six months in the house of
correction. An aggregate of eight cases
are still pending against them but upon
assurance that they would not again Of
fend, the court directed that the cases be
continued.
Z, M. Ricketts, also of Rockville, pleaded
guilty to a similar charge and was SEN
fenced to pay a fine of $500 or serve three
months In the house of correction.
William H. and George Bobinger, pro-
prtetors of Cabin John Hotel at Cabin John
bridge, this county, pleaded guilty in one
case, and were assessed $500 In a second
case they stood trial and were acquitted.
In the latter case the prosecuting witness
was Mr.. Frank P. Stone. He swore he
saw Mr.. Ashton buy whisky and beer at
PENDANTS argued to the jury that the state
had failed to prove that the intoxicating
liquor had been bought by Fred Ashton, as
alleged In the indictment, with the result
that verdict of acquittal was quickly re-
turned.
Daniel Turner, who formerly conducted
an establishment on the Conduit road, was
also before the court on the same charge.
He pleaded guilty, but represented to the
court that he had removed from the state
and promised to never return again to en-
gage in any Illegal business whereupon the
court suspended sentence.
In the circuit court here yesterday Mr..
John H. Walter of Washington ap-
peared with his counsel, Edward c. Peter,
of Rockville, and Samuel Maddox, of
Washington, and insisted upon a trial of
the indictment found at the March term of
court. 1901, charging him with participa-
ton in the burning of the Bryant Man
sion,' near Four Corners, this county
States Attorney Talbot asked for con-
t1nuance on the ground of the absence Of
material witnesses. Judge Henderson held
that there was not sufficient reason for a
continuance and stated that he had given
the case careful consideration and had
reached the conclusion that the indictment
did not set forth offense Of which the
law could take cognizance. The case was
thereupon nolle pressed by the states at
torney.
With Walter were indicted Thomas H
Pickford, Granville Shaw, and Aaron Brad
shaw, all well-knoWn Washingtonians but
the cases against them were similarly dis
posed of.
An inquest over the remains of Carey
Henley, the Baltimore and Ohio track hand
who was instantly killed near the Balti-
more and Ohio depot here Tuesday after
noon by being struck by an extra engine,
was held this morning. Justice of the
Peace Joseph Reading acted as coroner and
Jacob Poss was foreman of the jury. A
number of witnesses were heard and the
jury decided that the accident was the re-
suit Of lack of care on the part of the I'M
fortunate young man.
At meeting of the Montgomery county
public school commissioners yesterday, the
secretary reported that the total disburse-
ments of the board to date Were $40. 36347,
exclusive of the appropriation for the new
school building at Kensington. The secre-
tary also reported that the total enrolment
for the fall term was 5,2o5, of which 3,451
were white pupils and 1,754 colored. The
daily average attendance for the term was
as follows White schools 2432; colored
schools, 1878; total. 3,705.
The board definitely determined to de-
clare Friday January 2, holiday, the I'M
Outstanding being that the colored teachers
be required TO meet Saturday, January 10,
and organize a teachers association, and
that the white teachers be required to hold
their March teachers association meeting
on Saturday, March 2S.
The treasurer was directed to pay the
teachers for the first half of the winter
term on December %.
Benjamin LenOWltZ a merchant at Hal
pine, two miles east of here, was acquitted
| in the circuit court here yesterday of a
charge Of violating the local option law
The prosecuting witness was j. Ross Reilly,
the Montgomery county Anti-Saloon
League detective. The witness did not
make the purchase himself, but testified
that he saw Elias Allison buy drink of
whisky. 1t was shown that Reilly got
Elias Allison COMPOUNDED with another man
and by direction of the court the jury re-
turned a verdict of not guilty.
Later in the day, John Henry Lawson.
Washington colored man, was tried and
convicted of the charge of grand larceny.
He was accused of stealing set of harness
from John w. McGaha, who resides on the
Conduit road. Lawson was arrested in
Washington and the stolen harness was
found on mule that Lawson owned The
court sentenced him to ten years in the
Maryland penitentiary.
Mr. Henry S. Owens and family, of North
Carolina, have taken apartments at the
Corcoran Hotel here for the winter.
Mrs. NJ. A. Beard and family have closed
their home near this town and removed to
Washington for the winter months.