New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1918-12-31
ARMLESS VAGRANT
SENTENCED TO JAIL
Four Months for Man Who Stole
While Being Given Food


second appearance in the local police
court this morning, and his eXper-
fence with Justice today was not tenn
| pered with mercy as in his previous
appearance, which dates back to only
last Saturday. on that occasion
Judge James T. Mcsk1ll gave him u
chance to leave the city at once, but
he failed to heed the advice, and for
the next few months he will reside at
the Seyms street institution, Hartford,
| Conn, L. s. A. The offCnses which
brought for Ryan 120 days in dur
ance vile consisted of vagranCy and
theft of SO, alleged to have been
committee last night at the home Of
Mrs. Mary Semenski Of Broad street.
When put to plea, Ryan denied that
he was a ''Vag' and was also insist
ent that he never stole a thing in
his life" According to Mrs. Semen
ski, the accused came to her home
last evening and sought aims. He
was invited into the house where
sandwich was prep2 red for him. The
witness said she was preparing to go
to one Of the banks with $40 for the
Christmas club, the currency having
been left on a table. Whlle IN an
other part of the houe, the ten
atelv complained to the police. Word
was given the officers to be on the
lookout for Ryan and officer John L.
Carlson nabbed his man on Main
street Search at the police station
revealed only $1.93 on the prisoner
but further investigation revealed IS
in a pocketbook in the arnIless sleeve
Of Ryan's coat. Officer Lyon who as
sisted in the search gave corrobora-
tive evidence. Ryan claimed owner
ship of the money, stating that his
brother who is employed in a buckle
shop III Berlin took up a collection
Yesterday which netted him about
S14. and sales of court plaster and
other articles brought his capital up
to nearly SIS. When questioned as to
where the remainder of the money
was Ryan said that he befriended his
brothe.' in the afternoon, and spent
the remainder for liquors.
Judge Meskill ordered that 80
days sentence, imposed December %,
on which judgment was suspended,
was ordered enforced and in addt-
tional 80 was melted out on the vag-
rancy and 60 days for the theft
charges preferred today.
Bar7lmites Quarrel.
. Frank Flood and Hynan Schlafer,
two we'll known men locally, faced
Judge Meskill charged with breach
of peace. Flood through Judge Will
liam f. Mangan, entered a plea of
not guilty, and Schlafer who had no
counsel, pleaded likewise. The
trouble which started the men toward
plice court notoriety occurred yes
terday at Schlafer's home at 10 Put
nam street Testimony presented
showed that a horse trade was at the
bottom Of the whole affair. Accord
ing to the defendants the other fell
low was the cause of the trouble.
Schlafer said that he met Flood yes
terday and agreed to buy a horse the
latter has in his possession. Schlafer
wanted $50 for the animal and Flood,
to bind the bargain, paid $40 at once.
The men then repaired to a cafe
where some words arose over a pre-
vious transaction Flood left the
place and went to Schlafer's barn to
get his horse, closely followed by the
former. Here a jam" started in
which both men received blows that
left their marks. According to wit
nesses for Schlafer, Flood grabbed a
pitchfork and threatened to infiict
who rushed to the scene Of the melee. |
Schlafer admitted that he struck
Flood and, in answer to a question
BY Prosecutor Klett, Flood said: You !
can tell the world that [ was in a
Fines of IS and costs each !
was doled out.
Other Court Cases.
Walter Baslavich, George Nota- |
ezylx and Mike Zankowslly were |
charged with breach of peace, COM |
mitted last evening. Officer John |
Kennedy made the arrest. According |
to testimony given by Mrs. Basla- !
vich, Mike has been causing a reign |
of terror about the Baslavich domi- |
ellie of late, and II Saturday night a |
half of q brick came through al |
legged by the witness, from the hands |
of Mike. Again yesterday he came |