New Britain herald., 1926-12-10
big BOND SET FOR
| SLUGGING CAbMAN
Negro ASSailants Held for High
Court Under $4,000

Finding probable cause. Judge
George G. Griswold. In the Berlin
town court last night, bound over to
the March term of the superior
court James Van Allen, 10, and
Freeman Clark, 10, both of this
city and both negroes, on charges
of robbery with force. Bonds were
placed at $4,000 each, but to make
sure that the men would be held in
custody, the court later raised the
amount to $4,000 each. They were
taken to the county Jail in Hart
ford.
Both men pleaded guilty to nav
ing slugged Ernest Barth. %, of
1928 Commonwealth avenue, this
city, driver of an Auburn taxicab,
with an improvised blackjack con-
sisttng of length of lead pipe
wrapped in part of an old petticoat.
Signed confessions made by the men
yesterday were exhibited In court
last evening.
The only man to testify in court
was Barth, since both suspects had
already confessed. Barth told OF
having been called to Hartford ave-
nue. by the two men shortly after II
o'clock Wednesday night for the
purpose OF driving them to the Stiles
& Reynolds brick plant in Berlin. He
described the trip and then told
about having been struck with the
blackjack as the cab reached the en-
trance to the brickyard.
He said when he was hit he fell
out Of the car and the men tried to
hit him again. One of the car win
dows was broken. After lying on the
ground for few seconds Barth
stated that he ran for the night
Waterman at the yard, who happens
to be Constable Orville Ventres. one
/ OF the most aggressive of Berlin's
police officers. When the two of
them returned the car was gone. he
said.
| Alarm Broadcast Successfully
| Ventres then telephoned to Meri-
den and to New Britain. warning the
police in those cities to be on the
| watch for the car. Barth said.
| Prosecutor Charles F. Lewis, who
, conducted the states case, asked
Barth If he recognized the man who
struck him over the head. Barth
answered In the negative, stating
that his mind was filled with other
things at the time and that he was
headed for "other places" within d
few seconds after the smuggling took
place. Van Allen admitted In court
that he had been one OF the occu-
pants OF the car.
Prosecutor Lewis then exhibited
the signed confessions of the men
and asked them If any threats or
promises had been made in an effort
TO cause them to sign the documents.
The men stated that they had writ
ten them on their own initiative and
that they were e-given.
A the close of the session Prose-
cutor Lewis called the attention of
the court to the quick action of
Constable Ventres in broadcasting
the news of the affair and the quick
action of the Meriden police in TAX
ing the men into custody. only about
two hours after the crime had been
committed.
Judge Griswold said, 1.-THE evil
dence OF cooperation shown by the
police In the neighboring cities Of
New Britain and Meriden is es-
Unable and the court appreciates
it."
When the matter Of bonds came
UP. Judge Griswold asked the men.
"Are you prepared to put up bonds?"
They replied that they were not
TITS Just as WELL" stated Judge Girls
void.
Deny Using Revolver
Both men denied that they had
held up Barth with a revolver, al
though they identified one In the