Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-09-18
II PAY COSTS
FOR GAMBLING AND
WATCHING GAME

Perhaps the largest aggregation
ever to be listed on a Waterville mu-
nicipal court warrant appeared before
Judge Charles w. Atchley yesterday
morning, each of II men being char
ged with gambling with dice and
cards near the Maine Central Water
tank in Oakland on Sunday after
noon. The prisoners filled three ben
ches and the court room was well
filled with interested spectators.
When Judge Atchely came into the
courtroom at 9.45 practically the first
words he uttered were that he wanted
to be fair to the defendants and that
he wanted them to be fair and honest
with him.
Sometime Sunday afternoon Sheriff
Henry Cummings of Augusta and
Deputy Sheriff Ezra Jones of Eassal-
boro. went 10 Oakland and appeared
before the gamblers revolvers in hand
and demanded that they lay down
their money and give an account of
themselves. 1t is understood that
one or two started TO run but the
promise that they would be plugged"
caused them to turn back. Every
man appeared in court yesterday
morning.
Judge Atchley asked all those who
had played at any time during the
day to stand up and the following IL
men lined up before the court: from
Oakland. Leslie Rice, John Whyte.
Robert Shirley. Edward Lynch, An
thony King. David Bickford. Myron
Farnham and Joseph Bell; from Wa
terville, Thurman Collins, Earl Clou-
tier and Albert Pelletier.
The judge read the charge and
asked for the pleas. Every man en-,
tered a plea of guilty. The judge
then questioned the other six men
who We're watchers of the game. One
man said that gambling had been
going on there for some time. Another
said he did not realize that it was
wrong to watch a gambling game.
Two said that they were never there
before.
The statements of one man evoked
much rnirth from the assembled gath
ering. This gentlemen said that he
had been fishing and was taking a
short cut to his home which is about
400 yards from the scene of the
raid.
You will probably so around the
next time" remarked the judge amid
roars OF laughter and the gentleman
in question fervently agreed with his
honor.
One Of the respondents admitted
being there twice while another said
that Sunday afternoon was his first
visit to the Water tank. The judge
asked the latter if it was the last
time and he replied. 81 hope So"
To the six men who did not gamble
but who were onlookers, Judge Atch-
ley said. you men were not actually
engaged but ] could hold you and
impose just rs big fine. am going
to make the sentence light with the
distinct understanding that if anyone
comes before me again l will give
him the limit which will probably
mean a Jail sentence. l have heard
complaints of gambling at Oakland
for a long time / will give you all
small sentences and warn you that
you must desst from carrying on
such practice. and next time the men
watching will receive the same SEN
tence as those playing so you fellows
had better be careful"
Il am going to impose fine OF SlO
and COSTS" said Judge Atchley. "or
80 days in Jail but / will remit the
fine on the payment Of costs and put
you on your good behavior. The costs
will be SO. each. Every man paid.