The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-04-02
NORRIS SET'EMU UP
Temperance Leader n Witness
Against the Owl Joint.
Bought Beer and Whisky on
Several Occasions.
TREATED THE CROWD.
Let the Men and Women Pres
ent Drink on Him.
He Tasted Liquor and Knew 1t
Mas Real Thing.
TREATED THE CROWD.

Robert Norris, secretary of the State
Temperance union, was the first and
probably the star witness for the prose-
cution in the case of the state against
James Vilott and Sam Moon, the China
man, who are accused of violating the
prohibitory law in the selling of liquors
at that one time notorious place the
Owl restaurant at 414 Kansas avenue
which was raided on February by
Sheriff Wilkerson and County Attorney
Schenck 1t is the contention of the
county attorney that Vilott was the
proprietor of this place at the time of
the raid and for some time previous and
that Moon worked for him and possibly
was a part owner of the Joint" Moon
is on the witness list for the prosecu-
ton and will probably be called upon
to give testimony against Vilott.
This case was down for trial before
Judge Dana in the district court this
morning and was called shortly after
nine O'Clock. w. F. Schoch, attorney
for the defendants, was ready for trial
and Vilott's case was called first He
is not only accused Of selling liquor in
violation of the prohibitory law but
also maintaining a nuisance. 1t took
an hour and three-quarters to secure
jury and then Mr.. Schenck opened for
the prosecution. He told the jury that
he would prove that Vtlott was the pro-
prietor of the place; that he purchased
the liquors for the place and that he
sold them in Violati ton of the law. And
then Mr. .Schenck called Mr.. Norris to
the stand.
From the testimony given by Mr.
Norris it is quite evident that he is not
one of these temperance crusaders who
make all sorts of guesses as to what
is being sold in Joints when they are
in search of evidence against them. AL
though he is secretary of the State
Temperance union he qualified as an
expert on whisky and beer by saying
that he could tell these beverages when
he tasted them. On two of his three
visits to the Owl he said that he had
drank or tasted liquors which he had
purchased. but merely for the purposeof
assuring himself of the fact that be
was buying whisky or beer. Mr.. Norris
objected to taking the usual oath ad-
r1inistered to witnesses but affirmed"
that he would tell the truth.
He testified that he first visited the
place on December II, 1906 and asked
Vilott for a small bottle of beer. Vilott
said he had nothing but large bottles
so Mr. Norris did not purchase any
thing on that occasion. He visited the
place January g. 1907 with two or
three companions and bought two
glasses of whisky from Vilott for which
he paid 25 cents. This was served IN
the kitchen and the witness declared
that Vilott poured it from quart bot
tie and served it and took the money
for it. He said that he drank enough
of the whisky to know what it was.
DO you know whisky when you taste
it " asked Mr.. Schenck.
81 do was the reply.
Kicked on Price of Whisky.
Later on that same evening Mr.. Nor
ris asked the Chinaman for half pint
of whisky. The Chinaman got it for
him and wanted a quarter for 1t. Mr.