Imperial Valley press., 1919-07-31
Defendant in This Case May
Appear for People as Wit
ness Against Complaining
Witness.
East Side Methods
Told In Court
Stranger Invited to Enter
Games of Chance and Gets
Arrested for Protecting
Self.

At the trial of James Williams held
in the justice court this morning, be-
fore Justice Mayfield, the district at
torney's office, represented by Deputy
Don C. Bitler, ordered an investiga-
ton of the methods employed in
'evading the law by residents Of the
colored section of Ell Centric.
Stating that the case appeared to
him as a felonious frame-up on the
part of the complaining witnesses,
Bitler asked the justice to make an or
der charging the court costs to Gene
Hudson and c. B. Tarver the COM
plaing witnesses.
When the case was brought before
the court, Tarver, was the first wit
ness. He stated that Williams had
attacked him without warrant and
sought to relieve him of his money.
He was followed by Gene Hudson,
proprietor of the coloredI pool room
across the tracks, who gave a graphic
description Of the alleged attempt of
burglary, stating that Williams grab
bed Tarver around the neck and tried
to get his hand in his pocket. He stat
ed that he had such good sight that
he was able to see the man at a dis
tance of thirty-five steps while he
stood in a doorway with electric
lights back of him.
When Williams took the stand in
his own behalf he told straight
story. He stated that he had arriv-
ed in FL Centre Tuesday morning and
had visited the pool ROOM There he
stated he was coaXed to enter a game
of pool At that time he had but fifty
cents in his pocket and a check for
thirty dollars from the Pullman COM
pany for whom he worked. Being
stuck fer the drinks several times his
cash gave out but Tarver advanced
the money to pay for Williams losses
when he found that Williams had a
check for thirty dollars in his poe
ket
Williams says, that he lost two
dollars more and then endeavored to
quit but was coaxed by Tarver to re-
main in the game that he (Tarver)
would pay for his new friends losses.
Later the men went to the depot
where the station agent cashed the
thirty dollar check for Williams and
the men returned to the pool room.
Williams states that the men were
quite sociable but he caught several
winks being past behind his back.
later in the night he was invited up
stairs and there was initiated in q
game of dices Williams stated that he
did not care to enter the game but was
told that it was an honest game that
the dice were straight and that he
could make some money.
Becoming disgusted with the place
Williams started on his way to his
room. Looking back he saw Tarver
with three other men, one of them be-
ing Hudson who had big iron crow
bar in his hands, following him. Tar
yer made pass at Williams who
answered with blow to the jaw
which put Tarver out. Williams then
ran.
The next morning Williams was at
the depot and purchased ticket to
Brawley. Hudson was also there ano
pointing out Williams to the officers
asked that Williams be arrested.
Following the trial, Mr.. Bitler anc
officers made a first hand investiga
tion of the pool hall, and later thu
joint of Windy Jones, who was re
Gently arrested for having whiskey
in his possession.
At the Hudson place on the seconc
floor in room which Williams states
J the gambling took place, an innocen