Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-10-11
THE POLICE COURT.
Eugene Harpin and Charles B. Leone
 ard Had Watches Mixed Up.

The case against Eugene Harr4is for theft of gold watch. chain and charm all of the value of about $25. the property of Charles R. Leonard, a cigarmaker. was heard in the city court today by Judge Peasley. and 1t turned out to be n peculiar story. Harpin is employed by the Matthews & Willard company. Both men had been drinking Monday evening They met for the first time In saloon on South Main street and Harpin. who was sober enough to take care of him. self, while Leonard was hardly able to get around. proposed to him that they trade watches just for the fun of It. quoted Harpin.
 The idea did not strike Leonard favorably. He was satisfied with his watch. it seems. They left the saloon and soon after they met again In Me Allister's on Phoenix avenue. liar pin here insisted that Leonard had his watch and he. Harpin. should get his own watch or Leonard's. According to Charles Little. bystander. Harpin was then standing close up to Leon- ard. holding his coat. Then there was a tussle and the ring of the watch chain fell to the floor. Little picked if up gave 1t to McAllister and Me- Allister told him to get a policeman. Little went out and so did Leonard and Detective Keegan and Officer Dodds saw him. He said some one had stolen his watch. but could give no particulars. The officers were standing near Dexter's corner when Little accosted them and informed them of the affair. To that place they went and while they were talking Leonard and Harpin. who had gone away. entered. Detective Keegan searched Harpin and found gold watch on him and found another one in Leonard's pants pocket. Each had the others watch. but how Leonard came to have Harpin's. even in court this morning he could not tell. He said he was too far gone in drink to recall anything.
 Harpin insisted tl.ere was a trade. though evidently it was not voluntary on the part of Leonard. else why chain to get his watch.
 The fact that a charge for intoxi- cation against Harpin. had been noll- ed. Harpin's counsel. Attorney Freq man put great stress on. hut Prose cutor McAIahon said it was done merely to give him the benefit of ev- cry doubt. and that Harpin could cas- ily have been charged with theft from the person. which might result in get ting him in the state prison for i've years. But he. was given the bene- ft of the doubt in that also. Judge \ Pcasley took the states view of the ease and sestenced Harpin to thirty days in jail An appeal on hail of | <.sD was taken.
 Yesterday morning a capias was is- suel for the arrest of Lconani. he f having failed to be in court At noon | he called st the police station to see | how the ease had finished and he was arrested He said this morning that ! his failure to appear was due fo a statement made hy tho prosecutor. { He had I.cen st work and could have
 Ieen in attendance had bc known he
 was required Sentence was suspend feI.
 | For infaxieafIon- Patrick Flynn was fined e and costs and held for
 to- morrow morning to meet q charge
 of theft of sis from . friend Mrs Lizzie Isouarl was fnpi the same. co was Tlt.m1~ Walsh and Edva7l Flaherfy. while Thomas Ryan went
 down tho read for thirty days. scssn,- panirsf hy Peter Rurkwfh. fo wort
 ont . fn- Of efal"s. for failing to ro' peri to the probatioa o0csr.