Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1912-07-25

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- Closed Neal Harpsrs Fsrrs.
pudge Keedy last Thursday revoke
the license Of Albertus Spencer, VII
conducted 4 saloon at Lock 50, acros
the river at Harpers Ferry.
The case was taken up about 90
Thursday morning the testimony d
Numerous Witnesses. both for th,
plaintiff and defense were examined
Attorney T. A, Poffenberger repre-
scented the petitioner Randolph Preacher,
and ". J. Wftgenbacher and Ernest
Hoffman were attorneys for Spencer.
Edward Moore said the saloon Is
located IS yards from the bridge at
Harpers Ferry, near the public road
and people from Samples Manor must
pass over road to Harpers Ferry /;
porch almost on county road July 4,
q crowd Of white and colored persons
came from Virginia side much fight
ing, crap-shooting and card playing
around the saloon.
Randolph Peacher saw gambling and
card-playing for stake of 40 cents !;
saw indecent exposure on county
road; general reputation of place is
bad,
Mrs. Edward Moore: Saw beer car
Eied from saloon and drinking in public
road indecent language and swearing
heard; crap shooting played at the
bridge.
John Miller: Saw men and women
drinking In the road; heard foul laa-
guage; men play cards and when lose
buy whlskey at Spencef's place.
Mrs. Margaret Miller: Heard cursing
in road; drunken men around there; IN
decent exposure of men along road.
Mrs. Cody: Since parts Of West vir-
ginia and Virginia have heoome dry the
business of Spencer has greatly In.
creased
Mrs. 0ttie Reynolds; Saw drinking
and card, playing Ia Spencer's yard;
heard indecent language and saw in
deeent exposure.
Mr.. White said that as his boat
went in the lock at Harpers Ferry he
heard loud talk and a pistol fired.
He saw IS or 50 drunken persons
near the canal, and that the place had
q bad reputation.
Miss Rlffey testified that she and
three girls passed along the road and
saw drunken nAen on either side OF the
road, and that several called to sheBg
and asked to go along.
! Charles Virtz tesufied that he pass
es by the place at all hours and that
he has secn men and women along
the road using bad language and that
the reputation is considered bad and
that it is not DECENT place for
women to pass.
C. e. Miller testified that the repu-
tation is very bad and that he does
not consider it a fit place for wom-
an to pass.
Mr.. Spencer testified that he has
been in business for 81 years, owns his
property aud has conducted his business
within the bounds Of the law. He said
that he demonstrates the men for gamh-
ling about the place and that he does
not permit any person to play or get
loud in his place. He does allow women
in his place and does not allow swear
ing. He stated that ON July he had
a large trade and that he was trying to
keep order. He said he did not see
Welcome enter the saloon ard get the
revolver rs he had taken an Irishman
down to the bridge, and started him
toward West Virginia. He also stated
that the negro had been killed about
20 feet from his porch. He stated that
it was almost impossible to keep order
on July A, and that six officers could
not have prevented trouble.
Patrick Higgins. an aged gentleman,
stated that he lived ct Sandy Hook for
about So years and has known Mr.. Spen-
Ger for so years. and the reputation Of
himself and of his place of business was
good, and that his place is conducted
within the bounds Of the law. He Haid
that the gambling has been going on
along the road frem Mr.. apenceF's
place to Sandy Hook, for at least 50
years, and probably since Gabriel
blew his horn: 2 I've weeks ago Mr..
Higgins saia be was passing along the
road near the Spencer saloon. and saw
two celofed and two white men playing
crap. He aaid that Mr.. Spencer al
ways tried to keep order around his
place. but on the 4th of July. he thought
it would have required about six men
with clubs to quell the disturbance and
that an officer would not have been Of
any use, for il he would arrest man
and 60 to q magistrate. there would
have been trouble before he would re-
tnrn.
Isaac Gordon testified that ne lives
one-half mile from Sandy Hook. and
that the reputation Of the saloon to
his knowledge is good. He said that
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