The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1909-06-29
PHIL DRAISS

FAAlA UNAs0O
Convicted in Two Cases of Selling
Wine and Whiskey-Not Guilty in
One.
The trial of Phil Draiss, which has
dragged along slowly by postponement,
was ended today at noon when he was
convicted in two cases Of selling wine
and whiskey.
As the evidence in Il third case was
rot direct AMI positive, he was given
the benefit of the doubt.
For the State appeared District At
tcrney Foster, assisted by Hon. Frank
| J. s-ooney. Hon. NJ. c. Elstner defend
ed Draiss. From the beginning of the
trial Yesterday morning to its enc today
Mr.. Elstner combatted the State with
characteristic vigor. This fight of
Draiss was the most persistent and Wig
orous of the series Of the several de-
| fenses of men convicted of selling in
toxicants.
This fight for Draiss was as one
struggling for very existence. It was
as one desperate with only a slight hope
hanging to thread,
The State presentation was equally
as active and forceful In such cases
the State is always 1t disadvantage
and must place reliance on one or two
witnesses, while the defense is ready
with score or more
In this case the gist of the trial was
| in the evidence of Glover and OF Draiss.
The testimony of A. 6. Glover was null
lifted by Draiss, aud Draiss was contra
dicted by A. G. Glover
The circumstances, clear as day, in
dicated that Draiss had been selling
wines and whiskey from the Corner
saloon establishment, which were rein
forced and confirmed by George Glover
who has no connection with saloon
or has no interest in the sale of intoxi-
eants. George Glover, in brief, testi-
fled to the fact that Draiss did sell
wines and liquors from the saloon
named.
| AT the close of the arguments by the
Icounsel for the State and the defense
Judge Murff reviewed the evidence in
detail His summary was. not only IN
lteresting, but made clear the fact thai
Draiss was guilty as charged in two
cases Sentence is reserved to nex1
Friday. In the meantime Draiss wa:
released on $500 bond in each case.
| There is feature in this trial which
/ has led to much comment unfavorable
Ito Draiss.
| Monday Afternoon when Glover was
Itestifying Draiss was visibly agitated
He could scarcely control himself. HI
glared at Glover vieiously. As Glover
was being led to the cooler or ante
lroom of the court house, Dfaiss ex
Iclaimed: Il would like to blow his heat
off with gum at which Glover turned
with disdain and smiled his contempt il
lDraiss' face.
/ Draiss has been in the saloon busi
mess for years 1t was he who operated
1.-THE Yellow Kid, then on Texas stree
Inear Edwards. He was the head Of tn
big Casino on Louisiana street, and i
the silent head of the Corner. He ha
frequently been convicted of violatin
the Sunday law
s. In his summing UP of the evidence
Judge Murff said that Draiss, as di
Glover, has. declared that he intende
to- reform, and that he will no longe
! sell whiskey He claims to have bee
Christianized by prohibition, and 5
!, does Glover, but such declarations ma
Ibe accepted with the fullest allowanc
lof doubtfulness.
II Wouldn't the 'hoys about town MAJ
vel if Draiss were to prove his SINGER
! Iity by his actions? It is the ferver
prayer of all good men that Draiss an
Glover may become Christians, Chri
tanned in the full solemnity of Il
term. The world is wide, and there
; room enough to accommodate ever
sinner who would reform.
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