Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1908-03-03
DEFENDANT IN DISTRICT COURT
TODAY SAID HE PAID A MONTH";
LY FINE TO CITY FOR PRlVl-
LEGE OF RUNNING GAME
OTHER GAMBLERS
TELL SAME STORY
JUDGE ROBERTS ASSESSES STIFF
FINES AGAINST DEFENDANTS
AFTER HEARING THEIR SHOW
ING FOR CLEMENCY.
From SATURDAYS Daily.

From Saturdays Daily.
ShoWings In district court this
morning made by the gamblers before
sentence should be passed, took on
sensational form.
Ren Lane, until January l the pro-
prietor of gambling house over the
corn exchange saloon on South Mar
ket street, told of the transaction had
with Mayor Phillips, the police depart
ment and in police court.
He said that Mayor Phillips had
promised him protection, that he paid
monthly fine of s55 in police court
for this protection; that when he
went out of business on January / he
refused to pay another fine In advance
and was arrested, thrown in Jail and
fined $100.
Tells Same Story.
George Cloyd substantiated Rem
Lane in his testimony, as did several
other gamblers regarding the privi-
leges given them to operate gambling
houses in the city.
The evidence regarding the protec-
tion offered the gamblers was brought
out when the several gamblers made
showing by affidavit and on the wit
ness stand.
When Ren Lane was called he told
similar story to several others
II will swear you, Mr., Lane, want
to hear you under OATH" said Judge
Roberts.
Mr.. Lane told of how he had been
promised protection by Mayor Phillips
before his election, if he should be
elected.
Eager to Hear.
His voice being low and not audible
short distance from the Judges
bench. a great number of the attor
neys and interested spectators crowd
ed toward the witness stand in theil
eagerness to catch every word utter
ed by the witness.
The court took the witness in han6
himself and questioned him.
Judge Questions Lane.
Following is a verbatim copy OF
Lanes testimony in answer to Judge
Roberts questions:
@. Did you ever have any tall
with anybody about paying this S5t
weekly or monthly fine? Did you tall
with anybody about that, how did yor
happen to pay that? asked Judge Rob
erts.
A. Well they always made me
come up and pay it.
@. Who ordered you?
A. I believe Mr.. Gallagher
@. The chief of police?
A Yes, sir.
@. What did he say to you abou
it?
A. He said, come up the first o
the month and pay our fine.
@. Who did you say to pay tht
money to?
A. Mr.. Kirby.
@. Who did you see when 20,
went up there?
A. Mr.. Gallagher and Mr.. Kirb,
sometimes
@. What did they say to you?
A. He asked me how many table
/ was running.
@. Who asked you thai.?
A. Judge Kirby.
@. The police Judge?
A. Yes, sir
@. Now what did he say?
A. He asked me how many table
I was running. l told him three an
he said $500, $25.00 for the frs
$4,000 for the second and $1,000 fo
each table besides that.
@. Now you say that was whe
you first started?
A. Yes, sir, they always made m
pay my fines in advance.
@. You say that was along in Ma
or June last year?
A. Yes, sir.
@. That was when you had tn
talk?
A. talked with them sever
times.
@. Did you have at the time yc
were just starting, talk with ar
one?
A. Yes, sir.
The Court: You were not sworl
you may be sworn
The witness was duly sworn by Il
court and testified as follows:
w w. Epps: You say they alwa
made you pay the fines in advance
A. Yes, sir.
@. You have been running tn
gambling house over the Corn E
change saloon up until last mont
resumed Judge Roberts.
A. Yes. sir.
@. Now you may state what y
have stated in regard to the fines
money that was paid. What was tn
arrangement?
A. Do you want me to tell what
have told?
1kc T@DTk ro,Irsor,o and rba