The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-10
In the Hearing Before Mayor Book
walter His Notorious Beer Garden
Is Exploited.
FORMER BARKEEP TELLS STORY
WILLIAM PRESTON ABsOLvES STOUT
FROM ALL BLAME.
If Liquor Was Illegally Sold 1t Was
Against the Latter's Orders-At-
t0rneys' Statements.

Wesley A. Stout, whose notorious saloon
and beer garden is under fire by the anti
saloon element, testified before Mayor
Bookwalter yesterday, in an effort to show
why his license should not be revoked. Mr..
Ritter closed the case for the anti-saloon
men by introducing the police court docket
to show Stout's plea of guilty to assault
and battery in last December, and his fine
Of $50. This was when he had fight with
Chris Zimmerman, who has kept notori-
Gus roadhouse for years, and who killed 81
Eaglen.
Stout his first and best witness. He
testified that he had owned the place GAG
West Market streeD for seven years. He
had never been convicted of violating the
ployes were to close between the hours of
ii at night and In the morning, and to
keep closed on Sunday. He said he had
specting the place His front window was
always, during the illegal hours, arranged
so that clear view of the bar could be Sc
cured. He said he away with his
horses three months. and before he went he
asked the police who ran the district to
see that his business was conducted in an
orderly manner
He testified that If liquor was sold to
T. p. Kiser and others last January, 1t
was contrary to orders, and that he knew
nothing Of it. On Oct. 26 when a sale is
alleged, he said he was not in the city He
Indignantly repudiated the testimony that
pint of whisky had been sold to one of
the witnesses for 25 cents. He didn't ham
die that grade of goods He said he rented
the room adjoining his saloon, where a
restaurant formerly was.
WOMEN IN REAR GARDEN
On cross-examination Mr.. Ritter pressed
| him about the admission of women to his
| garden. Stout said few women came into
| it and bouht "a glass of beer and went on
| about their business Sometimes they
| drank at the bar. The garden, he said,
| was unchanged, but he said 'since you has
| made such a noise (meaning Mr. Ritter)
women has kept away, because" he said,
they were afraid of you, captain"
They don't need to be afraid of me-"
| said Mr.. Ritter. He asked Stout IL he had
| not permitted women to visit the garden
| since Mayor Bookwalter had forbidden it,
| Stout said women had as much right to buy
| drink if they wanted it as man.
You would admit them now, would
| your" asked Mr.. Ritter.
why, yes; you can come and bring your
| wife IL you want TO, said Stout. II
wouldn't object"
Stout said he did not understand it to be
| illegal TO sell drinks over his bar and serve
them in the garden You can buy all you
| want at my BAR" said he ''and take it out
| i'm the garden and sit down and drink il, or
you can go out and sit on the curbstone. II
you want to-
Mr.. Ritter ignored these gibes. He pressed
| Stout about the admission of women and
| brought forth the fact that in a small way
at least the garden was in operation Stout
/ said Mayor Taggart had made him close
| the garden last year. but told him later he
| could reopen. He was closed this year by
| order of Mayor Bookwalter and had re-
/ mained closed until few weeks ago. He
| asserted that he had no way of preventing
| women from coming about his garden
| Sergeant William Milan. of the police
| force, testified that the bar might be seen
| through the window of the place at all
| times; that he never knew of a violation of
| law at Stouts place; that Stout always
/ kept good order at the saloon and garden
| and asked the witness, when about to leave
| the city. TO assist In preserving good order
He said Stout had no private drinking