The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-18
PLEAD FOR MERCY
Jointists Give Up Rather Than
Face Trials.
Compromises Are Made When
Trial Is Waived.
ONLY ONE STANDS PAT
James White Takes His Case
Before a Jury.
Array of Spoilers Did Not Dis
may Him.
ONLY ONE STANDS PAT

Following two stunning convictions IN
the Shawnee county courts local joint
lists today crowded to the hall of JUS
tice and asked for all the mercy the
courts and prosecuting attorney could
spare. In a half dozen liquor cases,
compromises were made and the de-
PENDANTS pleaded guilty to minor counts
in the information.
Rose Hall faced a collection of sales
counts, backed by a charge Of main-
tanning q nuisance All the fight IN
the Halls woman's system was gone,
when she read what happened 10 her
neighbcr, Lizzie Young. After a con-
ference Of the lawyers. Rose Hail en-
tered 4 plea of guilty to the nuisance
count and the sales charges were drop
ped.
Belle Powers also thanked the eoun-
~ attorney for an opportunity TO pleAo
to the nuisance count and escape d
generous desc of spotter evidence Ihe
five sales counts pending against the
defendant were disrnis i when she
pleaded to the nuisance number.
When Blanche Woodall arrived With
a belated plea, the county attorney
stock of mercy was we'll drained. me
best the woman could obtain in a con-
ference for peace negotiations was an
even break. She faced eight real llNe
charges for fracturing the liquor law.
If the woman insisted she was lnno-
cent-well, there sat the spoilers
who bought the goods The DEFEND
ant looked them over and decided TO
plead guilty to four counts Inc oth-
ers were dropped.
It was the same medicine for Lille
Jordan. There were six numbers on
her program The woman dldh !
want to contradict the chosen spoilers
from the governors Office and wanted
harmony and good will to prevail 50
she admitted she sold beer three
times Then three other sales that
~ sail knew
wiped off the slate.
Nels Robinson swallowed the same
dose His six counts were cut just na-lt
in two Nels assured the court he
was not entering plea without
knowledge of the facts and offered 70
Tom Davis was more fortunate. He
convinced the county attorney he
should drop all the sales counts. AS
evidence of good faith, Davis pleaded
guilty to a charge of maintaining d
nuisance
Mrs. Robinson made the talk Of her
life in an effort to dodge a trial where
real. live spoilers are used Neither
did the woman want to go to Jail for
any protracted period. After a con-
ference, she pleaded guilty to the nuis-
ance count. The state dismissed five
sales counts against the woman.
Dean Harris and William Sneed's
lawyers found flaws in the information.
The witnesses were not endorsed on the
complaints at the proper time. the
court found. So. under the rules Of
procedure. the defendants were granted
a continuance for the term.
Just when it looked as though all
the Shawnee county liquor dealers
would plead guilty. James White re-
niged- He took a good look at the
array of gentlemen spoilers and de-
clared he would stand pat. White
wanted a little time to get his breath
and prepare for a red hot fight. The
court said he would not ring the bell
on him until 1880 this afternoon. At
that time Whites troubles started.
This afternoon he sits wild eyed and
open mouthed in the court room star
ing at the four spoilers from the gov
ernor's office. who tell of dampness of
Whites resort