San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-10-18
State Witness in Gambling
Case Arrested for
Making Liquor.
LAWYER "HANDLED" 1T
Was Arrested in Several
Oil Field Towns in Tex.
as for Gambling.

That he had been indicted three
or four times for Gambling and paid
fines; that he had been arrested Mt
Waco and charged with making liquor
and that he had been appointed as a
special investigator in San Antonio by
State AdjItant General Thomas ID.
Barton, was the admission made by
Thomas Stowe, principal state witness
in the trial of George Shorty" Man
gum in the Oath District Court We'd
nesday afternoon. Mangum is the
first of the ,men arrested by state
rangers and indicted on charges Of
running a game and bank, TO go on
trial. Both sides rested at 6 O'Clock
Wednesday afternoon.
The entire morning session OF the
court Thursday was devoted TO argu-
ments by defense counsel on the sub
mission of special charges TO the jury
and the examination Of these charges
by the state. Arguments are expected
to be concluded some time Thursday
sf!emoon when the case will so to
the jury. sse
b Tbereswa a runioy Thursday noon
. that the state plans 70 file complaints
against all defense witnesses in the
case. The complaints. IL was rumorc,l.
would charge lettering around gam
bling house which. under the law. is
misdemeanor. Up 10 noon, however,
no complaints had been filed.
The state depended for its convic-
ton upon the testimony of Stowe and
Luther Williams, The two men who
worked secretly in San Antonio. Stowe
before the rangers came and Williams
during the month of August. Williams
admitted that he had been given en-
ployment after he had testified be-
fore the grand jury. Neither one IS
now III the ranger employ, according
to their testimony.
Stowe. on direct examination. testi-
fled that he had "shot craps" ut the
Metropolitan Club and that Mangum
was running the game. Ii was a do
and don't game. witness said. where
you could bet that Il man passed"
or That he didn't pass" Stowe de-
MED that the numerous players had
faded" one another.
Lawyer Handled" Liquor Case.
Tn cross-examination Stowe adj
mitted that the game had not been in
the Metropolitan Club proper, but in
q room on the second floor and 10
the side. Stowe denied that he had
used the states money in gambling.
declaring that he kept his winnings
and paid his losses out of his own
pocket.
How many times have you been
indicted:" Dave Watson, defense at
torney asked.
I've never been indicted for a fell
ony," witness said.
Pressed further. however. Stowe adj
mitted that he had been indicted and
paid several fines for gambling rt
Mexia. ThOrndGle and another town.
. Weren't you indicted at Waco for
making liquor:' Mr.. Watson asked.
No witness replied. Il was ar
rested and charged with it but turned
i over to my. lawyer and be handled
Bought Liquor With States Money.
Stowe admitted that he had been
sent 10 San Antonio to "mingle secret
ly with the people of San Antonio. in
the employ of the staf1 rangers: that
he had been sent here to buy LIQUOR If
he could" He admitted tat lie had
purchased liquor with the states
money but had taken it to Austin and
turned it over to Captain Han.er.
Williams also testified to having
seen Mangum running a game in an
old athletic room in building adioin- |
ing that in which the Metropolitan
Club was located. General Barton,
Williams testified. had hired him dur
ing August. Williams admitted that
be had been gambling before. but not
while he was working for the tate. |
He also admitted that he 'bought |
drink occasionally" Stowe. Williams
admitted had ''seen me buy drink |
in a poker game"
Claim Players Faded" Each Other.
The defense put several witnesses on !
the stand who testified that there had |
been no banking game at the place !
alleged but that twas a common crap !
game where each player took turns al !
fading and shooting
One more member of the Ku Klux |
Klan was uncovered in the examina-
ton of the jurors shortly after .!
o'clock Wednesday afternoon. after |
several had admitted membership dur
ing the morning. This was. James w.
Smith. who said he was salesman for |
the Clifton George Motor COMPANY. He /
said. however. that his khan affiliations |
would not prejudice him in the trial of |
the case.
1t was noticed when TIE safe turned |
its list of selected jurors over to the
clerk that the names of those who had |
admitted khan affiliations had been re-
famed The defense nj .ornevs hov-
ever, struck them from the jury list.
The jury was completed and the taking |
Of testimony begun shortly before 3 80