Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1919-07-25
HOT TOM CIDER
HAD REAL KICK,
WITNESSES AT,
HEARING ADMIT
So Recorder Orders State
Case Against c. E.
Underwood
DISORDERLY HOUSE
CHARGE DROPPED
City Didn't Make Out
Strong Case, Attorney
Lane Comedies

A small court room audience in Re-
corder's court this morning heard a
pair of witnesses testify that they
had gotten drunk. on cider, known as
Hot Tom," which they We're il the
habit of buying at the place of c. E.
Underwood, we'll known old time cit
izen of Americus, which he conducts
on Cotton avenue.
Mr.. Underwood owas in court on a
police charge, drawn under the city
ordinance, of conducting a place
where disorderly persons or persons
| of disreputable character were per-
mitted to congregate. Several of the
witnesses, negro women, admitted
that they were street walkers and
| that they went to Underwood's place
for the purpose of buying this cider
Some of the witnesses told of disor-
ders at various times in the place
Others contended that the place was
as orderly as any other in that part
of the city; that Mr.. Underwood con-
Quoted perfectly legitimate bust
ness; that his store was frequented
by reputable as well as disreputa-
bic people, persons of all classes com
ing into trade as in other business
houses in the city.
Recorder Fort, upon suggestion of
City Attorney Lane, who admitted
that the prosecution had not been
able to establish its case conclusively,
dismissed the charge, but instructed
the police to turn Mr.. Underwood
over to Sheriff Harvey with the re-
quest that a state charge of violating
! the prohibition law be made again
him.
Court Asks for Arguments
The courts decision came at the
close of brief arguments this after
noon by Col. E. s. Nisbet, for Mr..
Underwood, and W. r. Lane, city at
torney, for the prosecution. At the
conclusion Of testimony at 12:4O
o'clock both attorneys announced that
they were ready to submit the case
without argument, but Recorder Fort
asked that they present their sides
of the case, the decision involving
as much point Of law and the con-
struction of the evidence as it in
volved the evidence.
Boykin Glover, a railroad man,
was the first witness called. He said
he was frequently in Underwood's
place, going there to make purchas-
es. He said groceries and a general
line of merchandise was sold there,
as well as cold drinks. He declared the
crowds were orderly but admitted un-
der questioning by Mr.. Lane that
he had chad some words with a fell
low there two or three weeks ago;
| wouldn't know him now" He said
he knew of no other disorders ever
having occurred there, and said some
of the best people as well as some
of the worst people Of the communi-
ty had been seen in the place by him.
Saw Women Drink Cider.
"Have you seen any women in
there buying cider?" he was asked.
eyes, have seen them in there
drinking Hot Tom, as they call 1T.
"Was the man you had trouble
with drunk or sober?"
Drunk"
did you see him drink any cider?"
"No, he was too drunk to drink
cider"
"Have you seen many drunk pee
pie in there?"
81 have seen some DRUM in there.
have also seen them bring stump
liquor in there and carry It 10 the
back porch and drink it,
Attorney Nesbit, for the defense,
moved to rule out the entire testi-
mony of Mr.. Glover, but the motion
was overruled.
w. A. Gammage, who frequently
acts as bailiff or other court official
on special occasions, was called to
the stand. He testified that the place