The daily sentinel., 1906-12-06
SELLING TO MINORS
James Purcell, Charged With Selling
Liquor to Minors, Is on Trial
Today in Justice of
Peace Court.

This morning about half past ten
o'clock James Purcell, owner of the
Senate saloon, was arraigned before
Justice Sweeney to answer the charge
of selling liquor to a minor The de-
fendaut was represented by Attor-
ney Samuel n. Wheeler. A plea
of not guilty had been entered and
the work of selecting jury was be-
gun.
Up til noon no jury had been Sc
lected though many had been called.
Both Attorney Coles for the prose-
cution and Attorney Wheeler for the
defense were very critical in their Sc
lection.
A controversy arose shortly before
noon as to the number of challenges
each side was entitled to, the ques-
tion being raised by Attorney Coles,
as to whether case was to be tried
under the regulations for criminal
cases or under the regulation for city
and civil cases. Judge Sweeney after
hearing argument on this point ad-
| iourned court until two o'clock.
There was a large attendance all
day at the trial. number of ladies',
mostly members of the w. G. t. U.
and several ministers being present.
This particular complaint against
|
Sparks, who testifies that he is under
| 21 years of age, secured liquor from
an employee If the saloon in violation
of the city ordinances. Sparks was
the principal witness for the prosecu-
tion in the first case against Purcell
tried on Monday, in which Purcell
was charged with violating the open
ing hour regulations. 1t is alleged
1 that Sparks. Harry Sullivan, also said
to be under age, Jos King, the young
man who died under mysterious cir
cumstances and one of two other
I young men were in the saloon on
Thanksgiving morning at an early
hour and that the young men all Sc
cured drinks.
The case is being har fought and
is attracting much attention.
On the convening of court thi;
? afternoon the court decides that the
| case was to be tried under the regu
= lations governing city cases or civ
= II cases and this limited the number
= OF challenges to three.
: A jury was finally selected compos
n ed of Messrs. Fred W. Halbouer, w
D b. Moss. and l.. e. Blackstone. Th'
4 taking of evidence then began.
Q During the afternoon there wer'
numerous tilts between the attor
news regarding the admission of Ger
tain evidence and other details.
Sparks the chief complaining wit
= ness, told of being in the Senate an'
d securing whiskey and swore on tn
/ stand that he was under 21 years o
n age. Much of his testimony as wei
l. as that of Harry Sullivan and youn
# Fry was practically the same as tina
II given at the trial Monday.
J. Mr.. Purcell upon being examine
declared that his employees were a.
Instructed not to sell to minors, an
ii was further contended by the de
A fense that these young men ha
IF sworn that they were over Fl year
T. of age.
l. The attorney for the defense cor
n tends that Mr.. Purcell cannot be hel
G. responsible for violation of the la
Mt by one of his employees when he
r. absent and when he has instructe
his employees not to sell to minor
Attorney Coles takes the opposite p,
I'd sition. The Japanese porter sold II
mt boys the liquor.
ty The case will not be concluded u
til a late hour.