Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-11
HER SON A WITNESS
MRS. ESKRIDGE IN COURT AC-
CUsED OF vAaRANCY.
Was Fined 80 on the Evidence Ad-
duced-Other Cases Heard at
Bar Of Justice.

The sad spectacle Of a young man testi-
flying against his aged mother was wit
messed in the Police Court this morning,
when Mrs. Matilda Eskridge appeared to
answer to a, charge Of vagrancy. It was
alleged that she had been intoxicated about
the vicinity Of her home on e street south
west. Henry Eskridge, her son, and his
| wife were witnesses in the case.
The elderly defendant made denial Of
the charge preferred against her, but ad-
mitted that she sometimes takes drink.
Judge Scott heard the statements Of all the
parties in the case and imposed fine OF
SO. A months term on the farm was the
alternative.
William H. Baldwin APPEARED at the bar
OF Justice after Mrs. Eskridge's case had
been disposed Of and the clerk asked him
what he had to say about charge of va
grancy.
only that I'm innocent" was his re-
Spouse.
This man stopped me on the street yes
terday and. addressing me as 'Pard, asked
for a dime." was the complaint Of Police
| man Forteney. HE said he lived in Balti-
more and that he wanted the money for
food"
What was his condition. the court In
quired.
About half drunk
Didn't Care to Go Back.
my home Is In Anne Arundel county,"
Baldwin stated II just got out Of the
| workhouse Monday and don't want to go
back"
THAT matter rests entirely with yourself, -
the court told him. Let liquor alone and
you will never go to the workhouse.''
The prisoner explained that he was re-
leased at the suggestion Of the agent of
the Prisoners Aid Society and If given an
other opportunity he will go home.
'Ten dollars or thirty days." was all that
Judge Scott said.
Wanted to Paint the Alley.
John Henry snowden declared that he
was an innocent man and that the wrong
member Of the family had been arrested.
9TH paint the alley with YOU" was the
language attributed to him by witnesses,
| who also declared he was profane.
That there was trouble of some kind IN
Clicks alley the prisoner admitted. His
wife. he stated. had a bucket Of beer, and
| he raised objection to her drinking.
MY wife spends my money for beer and
treats these people who are here today"
| John Henry said, "and-''
IF you know she is going to spend your
| money for beer why do you give 1t to herr"
] the court inquired
when I married her." the man said, "she
| didn't do that
Get another room and Hive alone" was
| the courts advice.
A fine of IS was imposed, and Snowden
stepped back
Complain Of Their Neighbor.
David Green and his wife, an elderly
| colored couple from the vicinity Of Rag
!, town." hobbled into the the court room to
| tell of the alleged harsh manner in which
| a neighbor named Ben. Mullins had treated
| the former. 1t was explained that the case
| had been transferred to the court on the
| lower floor because the complainant was
| more than 100 years old and could not as
| cend the stairs to the top of the building.
| Ben. Mullins is known throughout the city
| 1t was stated as a Woodworking and honest
| colored man. He raised hogs for liveli-
| hood until the law prohibited him from
! hauling garbage through the streets, and he
| is now doing the best he can by raising
| garden vegetables. He is not young man
4 by any means, for some of the older inhab-
| itants remember him when he was a regu-
lar visitor to their homes to collect gar
bage many years ago. But the old men
i last week they had a dispute about the
younger neighbor and the trial was the re.
suit.
The testimony was conflicting It was
| Green's story that he had been assault ed
! with rocks, sticks and an ak. Mullins
claimed that he was attacked with the ak
and that he merely touched the old mar
with a piece Of brush In order to protect
] himself. Neither man showed a bruise OF
| wound OF any description. Judge Scott
closed the incident by imposing a fine Of
S10 ON MullinS.