Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-13

M4RD
.~SEZV

Datch OF prisoners charged with larceny,
ETC.. and the first one on pleading guilty
received but nominal sentence Of a few
weeks in Jail after informing the court that
he had been in jail several months. This
was a cue for the others. and in a few min
utes the prisoners had entered their pleas Of
guilty and, in a happy mood. were going
back to txI each with light sentence.
This cheerful news soon spread through the
jail corridors. and there was a genuine desire
on the part of the untried to appear and re-
ceive their medicine. The next morning
the dock contained about dozen prisoners
each in the happy anticipation of receiving
a light sentence. When the court convened
1t was observed that the judge studied the
calendar for the day. before calling for the
pleas Of the prisoners. Each of them en-
tered plea of guilty and was sent back to
the dock. When the pleading had been
completed the judge remarked that he was
surprised that there was SO much thievery
and something had to be done to break it
UP. Then calling them, one after another.
he imposed sentences to Jail and peniten-
tary, the most OF them for the longest
periods prescribed in the law. 1t is needless
to cay that Judge Humphreys reputation
for leniency was but short lived. and that
the uutried prisoners afterward approached
his bar with fear and trembling.
x r = X
II remember" says an old-time court re-
porter, "a case in which the Judge who
presided possessed. besides the legal quail
fcations for his position, an insight of the
csse derived from his own observation of
the occurrence And yet during the trial
no one suspected that the judge had heard
Of the case before 1t had been called. l
refer to the case which grew out of the
killing of a lieutenant OF the provost guard
in 1883 for which two policemen were
charged. It 30 happened that Chief JUS
tce Cartier, who tried the case. was sit
ting at an open window Of the National
Hotel and saw the whole occurrence. The
grand jury found true bill. charging the
officer who fred the fatal shot with muir
der and in due course of time the case
was called for trial The plea was self
defense, and the jury after few minutes
elaboration returned a verdict of not
guilty. AS the judge left the bench he
remarked That was a just verdict, for
was a witness of the whole business. The
officer did just as I would have done had
I been In his place.
There are tricks in all trades but
mine" remarked Joseph e. Doyle to a
Star reporter, when he was under arrest
in this city to answer a charge of false
pretenses.
What is your trader" he was asked
81 trade with easy people,. was his
prompt response. THE reason I'm caught
so often is because I'm satisfied with lit
tie and never try to get all that other
people have. I've turned many trick,
but have never robbed anybody who could
not stand the loss
Doyle was sent away for two years and
he is now at Evansville. Ind, under the
name of John Albert Hawkins
He has been at his old tricks again"
remarked a local detective, land is. of
course behind the bars. False pretense is
WI alleged
At the time Doyle was arrested here he
talked freely about himself and his doings.
He had been in many prisons in this and
other countries and showed a knowledge OF
prisons and their keepers such as no other
prisoner in this city had ever shown His
conduct on the train while en- route to
Moundsville showed that he was we'll post
ed on ma tiers of interest to the police and
prison officials.
Doyle as he was known here said a
guard who accompanied him to prison,
showed an interest in prisoners in the par
ty who were to serve their first term and
gave them helpful hints about what TO do
and say when they were turned over to the
penitentiary officials. 1t was by following
his advice that a preacher in the party was
given a position in the library and not in
the shops. Doyle said he was strong and
able to perform any service and was given
a hard task.
x = x x
81 would like you to tell me how can get
a pass to get in the JAIL" said caller at
police headquarters a few days ago
That's easy matter said detective
who happened to enjoy the acquaintance
of the man who made the request.
I'm glad I've found the right place at
last" said the caller who felt that he would
have no trouble in gaining admittance to
the prison. I've been going from pillar to
post" he said. "and I'm glad I've found
the right place"
That's the easiest question that has been
asked me today the detective volunteered
And l can arrange for little entertain
ment there for you. too
The additional suggestion showed that the
man in quest of information was more
than delighted but when the detective made
a further suggestion that he would have
to commit a burglary or other crime to get
the desired permit he was promptly told
that this climate was too cool for him and
that the warmth of prison would suit him
better.
RatUaeD fha Acts