The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-12-27
JURY CASE BEFORE
POLICE COURT
w. I. SARGENT CONVICTED or vI0-
LATING CITY ORDINANCE RE-
GARDING LIVING AROUND A.
HOUSE or ILL REPUTE.

ing ordinance No. 1912, making ii a mis-
demeanor TO inhabit a house Of i'll fame,
came before Judge Anderson and jury
composed Of 3. l.. Nanthrup, NJ Nc
pharlan, r. J Peterson, II. zapf and
VIM. Eigner having been impanelled
and sworn In the city attorney proceed.
cd with the evidence and called the ar
resting officer, Houghton, to the stand.
Officer Houghton testified that Sargent
was living with one Grace Williams In {
house OF unsavory reputation on Astor
street; that lie had been living with the
woman for year or more; that defend.
ant Sargent was taking packages TO
the woman when arrested.
Deputy Sheriff Mclean was called and
testified that defendant had camped out
at Ryerson's last fall, the Williams
woman accompanying him.
The defense at this point asked to
place DIR. Henderson on the stand, the
medical gentleman having business
(which preclnded his remaining longer
in attendance upon the case, and DR..
Henderson testified that defendant was
under his professional care. The doctor
promptly declined, with all due respect
to the court, to answer the question as
to the nature OF the medical treatment
defendant was undergoing.
Officers Linyille and Thompson testi-
fed that Sargent was an idle and dis
solute person. in this belief, and cor
roborated the testimony that Officer
IIoughton had given. The city attorney
then rested its case and the defense
placed Mr.. Cummins on the stand who
testified that Sargent was bartender.
and good one, and had worked for
him over a year. Mr.. Nelson, secretary
of the Bartenders' Union, testified that
Sargent wassa member in good stand
ing. The proprietor of the Owl Saloon
| testified defendant rented rooms Of him;
that his place OF business twas next dool
to the Williams habitat. Sargent was
placed on the stand in his own behalf
and stated he was a bartender; had
been employed at the Senate Saloon;
was forced to quit to undergo an opera
tion and that he would 60 to work as
soon as able.
City Attorney Abercrombie waived the
citys opening statement, and Attorney
Curtis proceeded to point out to the
jury that the defendant was not an
idle man; that many men Of Astoria at
divers times inhabited houses of i'll
repute; that he himself had been in all
the house of i'll repute in the city but
did not consider himself an idle and
dissolute person; considered houses OF i'll
fame necessary evil.
| City Attorney Abercrombie pointed
out to the jury that it was not neces
sary TO show that defendant had beer
idle il it was proven that he had led a
dissolute life, and that the fact OF il
having been proved that he lived with
the Williams woman, who was of il
repute, constituted case in violation
of the ordinance.
The court read the ordinance to the
ljury and they retired, and after delib
Grating for some minutes returned intc
court with averdict OF guilty. The de-
fendant was then fined $50 or 80 days
which fine he promptly paid. and hi
attorney gave notice that an appea
would be taken to the circuit court.
| Ole johnson was up before His Homo
on charge of being drunk and iisor
derly. Asked if his true name was John
son. he said. "Yonson bane guide 'nough
lpreacher he bane Civ me dat name." i
seems Ole had been zone speech-makins
man" and the day before Christmas ha;
held forth on Commercial street, befor
la delighted audience on the topic o
local option. II ba guide man. sait
Ole, "an don't care dam about loca
option" was the subject of his dis
course until gathered in by an officer
Ole pleaded guilty to the complaint ant
Judge Anderson informed him chat tn
next time the spirit Tor other causes
moved him to address a public audienc
that he had better hire hall and thel
no interference would be given by tn
officers. Owing to the fact that he ha'
been in Jail over Christmas day. Hi
Honor deemed it sufficient punishmen
and Ole was allowed to depart
1