The Saint Paul globe., 1902-09-05
COURT GRANTS A CHEW
A. L. LAKE, CONVICTED BLIND
PIG" KEEPER, GETS A FINE
Four BoothhoIders at Fair Grounds Are
Fined for Dispensing Intoxicants
Under Innocent Guise-Picturesque
Trial of Lake Furnishes Much
Amusement-He Gets His Tobacco.

"Give me chew of tobacco, Judge"
Here you are-and $25 and costs
with it."
The above colloquy capped one of the
most interesting incidents which has
taken place on the fair grounds since
the gates were opened Monday morn
ing.
Justice Lorenzo Hoyt had before him
the case of A. L. Lake, charged with
keeping a blind pig on the grounds,
Lake had been running the Bon
Ton" restaurant, on the road leading
from the main entrance. His place was
searched and he was arrested Tues
day. Four quart bottles of whisky
were confiscated. He was arraigned
yesterday morning, and pleaded not
guilty. Franklin H. Griggs appeared
for the prosecution.
A. l. Drake, a special policeman,
told how he and another officer had
entered Lakes tent and how Lake had
given them drinks. Six bottles were
produced and identified by Drake as
having been in the possession of Lake.
Prisoner Pleads Own Case.
Lake conducted his own defense and
showed that he was familiar with the
methods of lawyers, though many
times he had to be threatened with fine
for contempt of court on account OF
the remarks he made. He did his best
to entangle Officer Drake.
"You came in to get drink; you
were thirsty, weren't you" ?" You want
ed to cut my throat. didn't you?" he
said, 20 &aG Il sSv ,issfiw Il
how he had read the warrant to Lake,
! how the officers had searched the tent
and how they had found the bottles in
evidence. Lake then cross examined
him, and there were many flashes be-
tween them. The court several times
called the defendant to order.
On cross examination, Mr.. GriggS
described how the liquor had been
found.
when we arrested him we entered
the tent in the rear, and on the cot,
beneath a cover, we found that bot
tle' indicating large one; then we
found a locked trunk and commanded
Lake to open it.
''He called out: Woman come in
here and unlock this trunk She came
in, very much frightened, and very
nervously unlocked the trunk. She was
scared to DEATH"
The defendant then haggled over
| this expression for about thirty min
utes. He wanted to be positive wheth-
er she was dead or not; she was his
wife, and he had not seen her since
| then. He trif1ed in this manner for a
| long time till Mr.. Griggs became so ex-
asperated that he said, with flash in
his eye:
iyo 1n Of hn 1rt
| should merit punishment. I move that
| he be fined $50.
| Lake then grew vehement, forgot
] that he was cross examining a witness,
and in loud tones argued to the court.
He maintained that the witness had
! said that his wife was scared to death.
He then wanted to know how a dead
woman could unlock a trunk. Justice
! Hoyt here interposed and Lake was Si-
fenced, although not without much
grumbling. The prosecution then rest
| ed, and moved the court to convict the
| defendant.
The defendant then took up his ar
gument, in which he grew vehement
He started with many abusive remarks
| about Mr.. Griggs.
II am a better lawyer than that
whippersnapper is," he exclaimed. 81
am older and have a better memory,
! and know more law than he does.'
1
Wants His Liquor Back.
Recurring to the facts of the case,
| he told how he had the liquor in his
| possession for his own use and to treat
| his friends. He- expressed a wish that
| he would get it back when he got out.
| The prosecuting attorney then said
| that the bottles would be broken and
| the contents spilled upon the ground.
| This enraged Lake, and he turned upon
Mr.. Griggs with another torrent of
| abuse.
"If he does wen fine him for con-
! tempt, won't we, judge?" exclaimed
Lake. I move that the case be dis
missed on general principles, the goods
| be returned to me and warrant be
! gotten out for Frank Griggs for going
into my tent and disturbing my busi-
ness"
! The court and the spectators had
! difficulty in preserving the degree of
4 dignity and solemnity that should
| grace a tribunal of justice. With more
/ vituperation upon the prosecuting at
torney, the prisoner finally concluded
/ with plea for the mercy of the court.
The verdict of the court was fine
| of S25 and 81 costs. Then came the
| plea for a chew.
| Lake was unable to raise the requir-
ed amount, and yesterday afternoon
was taken to the county JAIL
| Others arrested for keeping blind
| pigs and their fines were: r. +. Fill,
| $50; Pearl Mosseau, $75; William
| Champion, $75.