The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1920-09-24


missioners held some time ago, at
the request of Police Commissioner
Fraley, and on information furnished
by Fraley as to the necessity of hav
ing the special officer, two ordinances
were passed which provided for the
appointment of a special officer and
an assistant special officer. Carter
stated that he received information
that the reputation of the Key place
was not very good. He further testi-
fled that after the executive session
the chief of police had been called
into the open meeting which followed,
and was instructed to enforce the
laws and told unless he did so, there
would be q change in the office of
chief of police. Witness testified
that he had not noticed much change
in the conditions Of the affairs Of the
city since.
Attorney NIathers cross--examned
Carter. During this Interrogation, II
developed that Chief Chancellor had
requested board of city commissioners
to close up the pool halls in this
city. and that the heard never took
action on this request. The chief
then. according to the testimony Of
fered, asked for an ordinance. pro-
vid!ng for the abolishing of partitions
in poolrooms. but no action was
taken on that request The chief
asked for more help in his depart
ment. but was informed by the COM
missioners that financial conditions
prevented additions to the force.
Thurston's Testimony
City Clerk Thurston was then called
to the stand, He read ordinances
Nos. 43l and 432. Ordinance 43l pro-
vides for the creating Of the office
of special officer and Ordinance 4S2
for the creating Of the office of as
sistant special officer.
Mayor Freeman as Witness
The mayor then requested the city
clerk 10 administer oath to him. so
as 10 enable him. as mayor, to tes-
tify.
The attorney for the defense OBJ
jected to the mayor as n witness for
several reasons, chief of which were
the claim that the city clerk cannot
swear the mayor. and therefore the
mayor was Illegally sworn. and Sec
ond because the mayor was trying
the case.
The mayor overruled all objections.
The mayor then explained how on
September sth, he had been sitting
as Judge in the municipal court. He
said that on that date he docketed
cases on charges Of gaming against
Ernest Key Ernest Enloe. Otis Mus
grave, Bill Dougherty. J. p. Brown.
Jess Brockett, Springer Hill, Louie
Limb. Bob Mathers and another.
Did Not Know who Complained
The mayor stated that he did not
recall who signed the complaints,
and that the warrants of some Of the
men who had not been arrested were
in the hands Of the chief Of police.
The only case tried. he testified,
was that of Ernest Key. who was
found guilty and fined, and who then
appealed the case. The appeal. stat
ed the mayor, has never been per-
fected. The witness said that after
the trial Of Key, he called the next
case but the chief Of police said
no arrests had been made on the oc-
casion. The mayor said he instruct
ed the chief TO bring the men into
court. Only one of these men. stat
ed the mayor, has been apprehended,
Bill Doherty, who is now under
bond.
The attorney for the defense cross
examined the mayor who said on
cross examination that not one of the
witnesses at the trial of Ernest Key
had testified that they had seen gamb-
ling going on or any drinking. The
mayor denied during this Interrogation
(but said later in the trial that such
might have been the case) that ne
had Instructed Chief Chancellor TO
hold over the remaining cases on the
charge Of gaming brought up during
the trial of Key. until the next morn
ing and further investigation had been
made.
Ordinances in Evidence.
City Attorney Mason then introduc-
ed ordinances Nos. 465 and ACC and |
asked that they be admitted as evil
dence. The attorneys for the defense
objected to their admittance in that
they were unconstitutional and void
The attorneys claimed that they
provide my method Of appeal and that
a man can be deprived OF his prop.
er,y by their provisions without fair |
trial The mayor overruled the OBJ
lection.
a recess Of seven minutes was then
declared
objection Sustained"
Immediately after the recess the at |
torneys OF the defense called Guy |
Sigler. local attorney, TO the stand. |
Attorney Mathers attempted TO prove |
10 the board that the mayor had con-
victed Key on insufficient evidence |
during the proceedings at municipal
court. But the city attorney objected |
10 this testimony and the mayor sus-
;ained the objection. The attorneys
for the defense were permitted 10 in
corporate what they had intended to
prove In the stenographic report OF .
the proceedings In secret conference
with the stenographer,
Emerson Denies Dixon's Statement.
Policeman Emerson was called 10
the stand. He denied that Dixon had |
ever spoke to him at the police station I
and rcfuted everything that Dixon I
mad testified about concerning him.
The next witness was Policeman
Short. His testimony was that he and .
policeman Kirby had accompanied
Dixon to the rear Of the old Califor-
MA cafe but had found the place
barred the lights out and no illegal
disturbance Of any kind going on
there. There was no hesitation on the .
part OF either OF the policemen 10
accompany Mr. Dixon 10 the place he
desired them to raid testified Short.
After they had found nothing In the
snack in the rear OF the old cafe.
Dixon led them elsewhere. but was