The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-04-19
TWAS LONG STORY
V|THSNAP ATF|N|SR.
Some Rather Interesting
Cases in Monday Morn.
ing Police Court.

The air at police court. this morning
was blue with curses as r, e. Hud7
gins gave tnnumerable samples of the
sort OF swearing that went on in his
fectionery store yesterday when
Frank Watkins came in for some Gig
arettes. Hudgtns when asked to ex-
plan why he struck Watkins in the
mouth said 1t was long story but If
the mayor would have patience he
would tell t ALL He then launched
INTO a tale concerning watkins to
the effect that the young man had Wis
tied his store Just before Chief Harris
term expired when Tom Ford was a
policeman. Watkins came to the con.
fectionery for a soda at that time and
he swore very tnelegantly regarding
the glass in which the soda was plac-
ed, saying it wasn't any good and that
nothing much Of anything was any
good in that store. To further en-
phasize his statement he broke the
glass on the counter very deliberate
ly and swore once more when he was
asked to pay for it. Hudgins said he
called for an officer and Chief Harr
sent out Ford and that Ford asked
Watkins what, he was doing anyway
and Watkins replied he was after a
pint and he had secured it. Then Ford
went back to the station without max
ing any arrest. Hudgins declared he
couldn't get any police protection at
all. Yesterday when the same man
came back to his store Hudgins said
he had bet with himself that he
would make him pay for that glass
IN spite of the time which had elaps-
ed since 1t was broken and when he
brought up the subject, explaining
that the glass would be ten cents, Wat
hns again swore and refused, prov
ing very disorderly in addition.
At this stage of the game Ed Wat
kins, brother Of Frank, testified he
asked Eudgins why he should strike
man in the mouth for refusing to
pay ten cents for a glass. Ed Wat
kins denied that he did any swearing.
He further stated that Hudgins
brought out a long club and ordered
him out of the store and that when
he consented to go, the door was
found ocked so he couldn't get out.
Stiu Ln6 uOOI vac 1OShCu W
prevent Frank Watkins from coming
back in again after he was put out.
After several witnesses had testifi-
Mayor Conaway fined Hudgins IS,
Frank Watkins SO and Ed Watkins SIS
which was quite contrary to the ex-
pectatons of the parties concerned.
Two drunlls last night forfeited SIS
and did not appear this morning. The
men were Bill West and John Lehew.
West was drunk on Water street and
Lehew on Pennsylvania avenue.
>The young man who drove car 1875
reported to explain matters and told
how his wife and two nephews were
driving when one of them boy of
about five years set up great howl
ing and shriddng because he couldn't
have something he wanted, so that
all the neighbors were aroused, feel
ing sure some one was being muir
dered. One neighbor appeared to tell
how he thought surely something was
very wrong. After the young man
told his side of the story very quietly
and in seeming honest manner, May
or Conaway smiled and said he un-
derstood how such thing could haxe
happened and dismissed the case. The
complainant was satisfied 1t was sim
ply a case Of mistake. No fines were
imposed.