New Britain herald., 1915-07-12
LOSES THREE CENTS
IN GAME OF POKER
Charles Slim Accused in Court Of
Being Poor Loser

Richard Smyrk was discharged and
Bomba by Judge James T. Meskill in
police court this morning on the
charges of assault preferred against
them by Charles Slim, who exhibited
a black eye and said the two young
men gave it to him. Smyrk proved an
alibi showing the court that he was
not in the vicinity where the trouble
took place.
A party Of young men from the
southeastern section of the CITY,
among whom were Benny Smith, Paul
Bomba, Fred Gerlander, Fred Stab
bert Charles Schick and Adolph
Burkhardt purchased a key of beer
and some sandwiches and hied them
selves to the end of Kelsey street to
have picnic Saturday afternoon.
They had the picnic, likewise the beer
and sandwiches, and the rest of the
afternoon was spent in that popular
pastime penny-ante. And thereby
hangs the tale.
Charles Slim of East street testified
that he was going fishing and was
passing the merrymakers when Benny
Smith gave, him glass of beer and
invited him to stop. He also said
cents, which went into the pot" Not
once but three times did Benny i'm
pose upon Sims generosity. Finally
when he arose to continue on his fish
ing expedition his way was blocked
by Smyrk and Bomba, who punched
him in the eye, he said.
All of the witnesses except young
Smith, who evidently tried, to cover
up something and who denied previous
statements he had made to Officer
Wagner and Chief Rawlings told
about the same story. They said that
they were playing penny-ante when
Slim came along and sat down. He
was given glass of beer and then
he wanted to get into the game. He
bet on Smiths hand against Bomba' s
hand and lost three cents. Upon los
ing this vast amount Slim is said to
have become peeved, whereupon the
poker fiends refused to let him play
any more and ordered him to run
along. He then grabbed a stone and
threw it at Bomba and the latter
grabbed him to prevent further vio-
lence When he released him Slim
stumbled and fell, getting his black
eye, the crowd testified.
Attorney w. F. Mangan appeared
session was made quite enjoyable by
several good natured tits between
Prosecutor Klett concerning each
others knowledge of the game of
poker in general and penny-ante in
particular. The two lawyers also had
some good natured raillery concern
| ing the location of the famous poker
game and picnic. Witnesses had testi-
! fed that it was under some trees and
| the sewer ran near there, SO Lawyer
| Mangan told the court that it was far
! out in the woods where it did not
! bother anybody. Prosecutor klett
| objected that Kelsey street is not out
! in the woods, whereupon Lawyer
| Mangan said, well, they have trees
| there and the sewer is near"
! Sent To Jail For Theft.
John Miller was sent to Jail for forty
/ days for stealing pair of rubber
| sneaks from in front of S. M. Menus
Guarantee Shoe Store on Main street
and a bicycle belonging to Sargos
| Agopian Supernumary Officer Hahn
was walking down Main street in citi-
, zen's clothes Saturday night and sa W
| Miller steal the foot gear. He fol-
! lowed him for a few PAGES and saw
| him take the bicycle when he place
| him under arrest.
The accused said his home is at
| Maplewood, N. Y, but he has been
| working in Naugatuck and came to
New Britain Saturday He explained
that he was drunk and did not know
| what he was doing.
Wives Testify Against Hubby.
A Jail sentence of twenty days was