The Paducah sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1898-1906, 1906-01-25
6. ". TANNER GETS
$50 AND TEN DAYS
ColOred Professor Convicted of
Carrying a Pistol.
Has Been Here Several Weeks Try.
ing TO Stir Up Trouble--and
Finally Did It,
BENTON CASE NOT DECIDED

Police Judge ID. l.. Sanders held an
important session of police court this
morning. There were several promi.
nent attorneys seldom seen in police
court interested. the court room was
packed with spectators and witnesses
and court lasted several hours, not
adjourning until 1880 this morning.
The star case was that against G
w. Tanner, colored, charging the
double offense OF carrying con-
cealed weapon and flourishing 1t. f.
w. Benton, one of 1.-THE colored school
teachers, was tried in the same case
for malicious assault on Tanner, and
Jack Jones was charged with a
breach of the peace. Jones separat-
ed the two when they mixed" last
week near Seventh and Jackson
streets.
The case grew out OF trouble the
two colored teachers had several
years ago. Tanner alleged that Ben
ton had alienated HIS wife's affac-
tions. but this was after Tanner had
been put out of the schools and Ben
ton given his position. Tanner left
the city and remained away until 4
short time ago, and slncs his return
had tried to cause trouble in the col
ored schools by alleged accusations
against Benton. but the scaool board
knowing him. paid little attention to
him and exonerated Benton in every
charge. Benton last Sunday went to
Tanner to get him to sign written
statement generating him from all
charges or accusations made IN any
way, and Tanner pulled 4 gun. Ben
ton grabbed the weapon with his left
hand and struck Tanner with walk
ing stick he carried.
There was much evidence intro
duced, there being about fifty wit
nssses in the case, most OF them testi-
flying to the feeling between the men.
Benton was represented by Judge
James Campbell. Sr., and County
Judge r. T. Lightfoot, and Tanner
by Attorneys c. c. Gresham and Eu-
gene Graves. The prosecution was
conducted by County Attorney Alben
Barley and Prosecuting Attorney
Tom Harrison.
At the conclusion of the testimony
the attorneys agreed that no argu-
ment be made and the case was sub
mitted to the court.
Judge Sanders dismissed the
charge of breach of the peace against
Jack Jones and fined Tanner $50 and
costs and ten days in Jail for carry
ing concealed weapon. He left
the charge against Tanner for -four
Ishing the pistol open until tomorrow
and also left the case of malicious
assault against Benton open until to-
morrow. He stated that it was his
desire to look into the law relative
to the walking stick being a deadly
weapon. The Tanner witnesses tried
to show that Benton had the stick
under his coat or up his sleeve hid
den from view. Benton admitted Ia
court that he was afraid Tanner had
a gun and desired to have something
for protection in case he tried to use
the gun while he (Benton) tried to
get him to sign the generation pa
pers.
Several members OF the school
board, including Supt. Leib. were
present at the trial.
Judge Sanders in addition to the
fine against Tanner recognized him
In the sum of $500 for his good be-
havior towards Benton, and Benton
for the same amount for his good
behavior towards Tanner for a period