The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-09
Jury Throws Bomb Among Members of the Jones
 Valley Club
GENERAL CHARGE WAS
 GIVEN BY JUICE JACKSON
Jewish People of Bessemer Observing Feast of Succoth-Bapts Arrange Special Meeting for Boys
 Sunday Afternoon.

Bessemer. October -(Special0- Judge William Jackson of the Bessemei city court threw a bomb into the midst of the defendants in the Jones Valley club cases this afternoon when he gave a general charge to the jury, and thai body returned to the court room ana announced their verdict, and placed the fine of each of the defendants at Szo'. The defendants were charged Wlth Nio- lating the prohibition laws.
 A good portion of yesterday after noon and this morning was taken up in striking a jury but when the box was filled by about 10 o'clock this morning Deputy Sheriff Sid Cowan was put on the witness stand and testified as to what happened when he and other deputies raided the club several months ago. In bringing out his testimony the state produced much data, such as in voices and letters. that had been pro- cured during the raid, and just as fast as Solicitor Perry would produce parts of the data, T. T. Huey would raise an objection, and in most cases the judge would overrule the objection, and for a time it looked very much as though they would spend not only the balance of today, but apart of tomor- row on the case
 This was not to be- for shortly after noon the state rested, and after con sulting among themselves a few minutes. the defendants lawyers an nounced to the court that they would also rest on the evidence as submitted, without putting on any of their Wit nesses. No sooner had they done this than Solicitor Perry asked the judge for a general charge. It was then that something came near happening, for upon learning that general charge was about to be given the jury, the defendants attorneys wanted to re- scind their action and put up some wit nesses
 Judge Perry then waxed warm, and intimated that after ascertaining the intention of the court for the defend- ants to try a move of this kind they were trifing with 'the court. The judge then delivered his charge. There was of course nothing left for tne jury to do but to arrive at the amount of fine to be imposed, which under the instructions issued them could not be less than $250 nor more than 5000.
 Surprise and consternation was very noticeable on the countenances of the defendants, for not one of them were prepared for such an ending, and all though the verdict was rendered be- fore o'clock, it was after before some of them succeeded in getting the necessary papers fixed up to secure tn cir release from Chief Deputy George Jones' who was ready to be off with them to the county jail.
 Of the 31 men caught in the raid only IS were in the court room when the jury returned their verdict One of the absent ones, however, appeared a little while afterward, pleaded guilty to the charge and paid his fine of $250 and cost, which ran the amount up to $2S9.
 It is said that the gentleman in question had been in the court room mosts of the day, but had gone off down town to attend to some business, and during his absence, the jury re- turned with the verdict.
 The business in which he is engaged necessitated his leaving the state, and rather than lose any further time from his business he pleaded guilty and paid the fine.
 The Jones Valley club is dark tonight, as former frequenters of the place say they would prefer being on the outside looking in than on the inside looking out, especially right now" The cases will be appealed.