Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-03-04
MRS. GAMBLER AND
KEELING ACQUITTED;
STODDARD IS HELD

w. j. StOddard was neId Tor the
state courts under $500 bond on a
charge of violating the state prohi-
bition law, after a hearing before
Recorder George E. Johnson Monday
morning at which charges lodged
against Mrs. Asa G. Gambler, Sr.,
and G.. w. Keeling were dismissed.
The three persons were charged
with violating section 1853 of the
city code as an outgrowth of their
arrest on February 8 in an apart
ment at No. 4S Juniper street, but
Recorder Johnson declared the cases
could not be construed to mean "oc-
cupancy of a dive" as was charged.
He ruled, however, that evidence
submitted by the prosecution had
shown Mr. Stoddard had admitted
ownership of the small quantity of
liquor confscated and that he would.
hold Mr. Stoddard accountable on
that charge.
"You saw what it was; it's all a
frameup," declared Mr.. Stoddard
after the trial, when asked if he wish
ed to make a statement. His bond
was signed by DR.. Horace Grant, and
they left the station house together.
Mrs. Gambler, accompanied by her
sister, Mrs. J. B. Brown, left inn
mediately after the hearing in the
automobile in which she had driven
to police headquarters.
The hearing was attended by g.
crowd which occupied every avail
able seat and which pressed up be-
hind the railing separating the spec
tators from court officials. Mrs.
Gambler was not required to stand
on the platform facing the recorder,
but sat on a piano stool in a remote
corner of the room, alongside her
sister Both Mr.. Keeling and Mr..
Stoddard stood up before the record
err, with their coUnsel-Attorney Ben
Conyers. Mrs. Gambler was repre-
scented by Attorneys Cam Dorsey and
Carlton Binns
Bottle Introduced
A bottle which is alleged to have
contained a small quantity of whisky
was introduced in evidence, along
with three glasses, but counsel for
the defense protested that the fact
that these articles were taken from
the apartment in which their clients
were arrested, in no may constitut-
ed occupancy of a dive" They de-
clared the section of the city code
covering such arrests would not APP
ply in this case.
THE way l construe a dive is
where men and women congregate
in a notorious place that is known
publicly as given over to drinking,
gambling or carousing," said Re
corder Johnson in dismissing the
Such men and women do not work,
but assemble there to idle. The evil
dence shows that all the defendants
have visible means of support, and
Mr.. Stoddard said he assumed full
responsibility for the whisky. There
fore, L hold him on a charge Of vio-
lating the prohibition law and dis
miss the other cases"
None Of the three defendants
made a statement to the court and
only three witnesses We're sworn
for the prosecution: Chief Beavers,
Captain A. J. Holcombe, and Thomas
H. Pitt, a real estate man. Chief
Beavers then took the stand and
made a statement concerning the ar
rest, being frequently interrupted by
objections from counsel for the de-
PENDANTS.
Defendants Swallowed
Several days before this happen
ed-less than month"; complaint
came from Mr.. Asa G. Gambler, ST."
began the chief.
This brought a sharp objection
from defense counsel, but in a few
minutes the chief continued: "They
requested us if I got a call to come
to a place in this city-no differ
ence Where-and gave a name so I
would know who was talking, that
I would be ready to come at once.
They said that some party was
shadowing Mrs. Gambler and w. j.
Stoddard."
This brought another objection
from Attorney Ben Conyers and Re
corder Johnson said he would rule
out what had been told the chief.
The. recorder instructed the chief to
tell about the arrest.
We'll, I got this call to come to
the corner of Ponce de Leon ave-
nue. and Juniper street at once l
hadn't put anything on the look
out book about this matter because
L did not wish to do so without
some justification. I didn't want to
do any injustice 10 Mrs. Gambler, Mr..
Gambler or their families. 1 had
been asked to keep it secret until
something materialized
Directed by Mr.. Pitt
II got Captain Holcombe and
started to take two other men but
then decided that we would go by
ourselves. We went to the corner
of Ponce de Leon avenue and Juni-
per street, and there met this gen
teman pointing to Mr. PitO. He
got in the car and told us to drive
up to Peachtree and back down
Third street, where he showed me
Mr.. Stoddard's car. He said Mrs.
Gamblers car was at the corner IF
North avenue and Peachtree street.
and that they were in an apart,
ment."
This brought another objection
from counsel for the defendants who
insisted that the chief should not
state what had been told him.
We'll, I don't want TO tell any.
thing Illegal, resumed the chief. Il
stopped my car on Third street be.
low Mr.. Stoddard's and we got out
and went in As Juniper street. We
went up on the second floor-I recol-
lect that it was apartment S-(here
the chief drew a diagram for Re
corder Johnson showing the location
of the apartment.
L took hold of the door knob,
turned it and the door was unlocked.
Some one opened the door about this
/ time from the inside He was
| heavy-Set man. in his shirt sleeves.
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