The Washington herald., 1908-08-14
IT WAS DEAD WRONG
Negro Drove Dirt Wagon
Through Funeral COrtege.
IS ARRESTED ON THE SPOT
- Deed All Didn't Know Hit Was
Agin de Law, Cause Use n Pore
Jones' Intellectual Excuse, Pleaded
Through Grating of Police Cell.

Driving a dirt wagon through d funeral
procession Is charge registered on the
blotter at the First precinct police sta
tion against Henry Jones. black
Henry was arrested at Ninth street
and Nv York avenue northwest about
4 O'Clock yesterday afternoon He is
employed by Peck Baker. q contractor
Policeman Cav stopped the wagon. and
mounting TO the seat. ordered Henry 20
drive 10 the station.
''Y'aH gentm'n ought not 10 rest q
I pore. old. honest man for doin' sumtE n
he didn't know was wrong" protested
the negro.
Very disrespectful and reprehensibls
20 drive through a funeral" said Police
man Simpson. detailed as desk sergeant.
We can't put UP with anything Ike that.
How would you like 20 have dirt wagon
driven through your fuueral-
wouldn't Know Difference
Wouldn't make no difference TO me. %
I said Henry. Dat dead man didn't say
nothin'. an Al doan see what cause dis
heah poiceman-s got for compIainin-' As
for de respect, Ah Goan think it WIZ just
right. but deed All didn't know Il was
agin' de law
How old are you2" inquired simpson
Deed. boss. All can't 5ist 'ssctly tell
nah age. Seems 90 me All heered ole
Z Marss Black say ne reckuned An was
sfxrv-sebeu years old five years fore dis
/ last gone war. but honest All can't tell
Z how ole Al Is. an Ann feered 70 guess
! cause All mougEJ not tel DE- sact
trufe.
Married or sinsle7'' inquired the desk
/ sergeant
Aim hopin' Ah'm married All got a
wife and a whole passeI OBJ chiIlun AT mg
/ home on Ninth street Guess Ah'n a
whole lot married" replied Henry. as he
crumpIed his wea-her-beareu felt hat and
[ looked thoughtful.
Born in the United states?~ asked
! Simpson.
Nav. sub. All wuz bawn and bred ur
heah in Montgomery County, Maryland
/ answered the prisoner And he woncered
/ why the policemen laughed
What's your occupatiCl2'' qCeried the
man whose duty il IS to obtain ali pos
/ sible data on those who fall INTO the tolls
Natural Born Driver.
I "Ah drives for a livin'." said Henry.
/ Been dr5vin- horses and mules almos,
[ since de DAY Al wuz bawn- Never d-iy
.
/ in nah l.fe and amt neber gwine DO Il nc
more Of An git out Oh dis mess
Got 3 % put Up for your appearance
Z in court7- asked the Official lnte-rosat0r
I Deed All amt got 8 cents quickly
( responded tLe ebon-hued prisoner Nah
/ ole woman and nah six chllun takes al
I de money Al can rake an scrape tOgeddeI
E 10 keep dem out'n de porehouse- Deed
I All amt got no shadow Of 50
can you read and write2" inquired
Simpson
Wish 70 Gawd All could exclaimed
/ Henry ''Eaw. sub. Can't tell one letter
/ from a nuther. can't spell. can't fgser
and can't write Boss, An can't DO
nothin' but drive horses and mules. OATS
nah business OATS how Al keeps the
chulun from starvin'. and dats how Al
got into trouble dis evenin'- Please lei
I me 90 and keep on worilin' Tor dem little
ones and give EN- bread
{ The law had 10 take its course. how
ever. and despite the feeling Capt VII
Iiams and all other police officials at the
station had for Henry. he was sent bach
10 q cell weeping Ike child who had
lost its favorite toy There he stayed
until Mr.. Baker sent the money for his
{ release.