The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-12-07
FINES OF S4OO
IN SHOWDOAT
GAMING CASE
Williams Assessed $500,
CantWeII $500 by
Judge Sheaffer.
DEFERS LIQUOR VERDICT
Action Delayed for Study
of Nuisance Section of
Dry Law.
DEFERS LIQUOR VERDICT

~
Fines totaling $400 were assessed
today by Municipal Judge William
H. Sheaffer in the Showboat liquor
and gambling case.
Frank CantWell, proprietor of the
Showboat, a night club at Keystone
avenue and the Allisonville road
was fined 500 and costs on a charge
OF keeping a gaming house. Action
on a blind tiger charge was deferred
until next Wednesday to give the
court time to study the nuisance
section of the dry law.
Claude Williams, associate OF
Cantwell, was fined 5000 and costs
for keeping a gaming house, and
a penal farm term of sixty days
wa suspended. On a charge of pos
sessing a gaming device, he was
fined 500 and costs.
The place was raided the night
of Nov. 81.
Reputation Is Upheld
The trial ended after II today. II
opened Tuesday, continued through
the day, and a night session was
held.
Defense testimony was concluded
this morning with four witnesses
who stated reputation of the Show
boat as to being law abiding was
good.
The witnesses, who said they had
been acquainted with Cantwell for
five years or more, were Ted Sulli-
van, inspector for the state boxing
commission; A. c. Cain, 5753 North
Delaware street, engaged in the oil
business; William M. Watkins, BIG
College avenue, food products, and
E. M Stuppy, 1888 Allen avenue,
towel supply service. Cantwell is a
patron of both Watkins and Stuppy,
they testified.
Fines Are Paid
With this testimony the defense
rested and final arguments fol-
lowed. Russell Dean and Dewey E.
Myers, deputy prosecutors, spoke
for the state, and Sol G. Bodner and
Newell w. Ward for the defense.
Immediately after the last argu-
ment, SheafTer called the defend
ants to the bench and imposed the
fines, which were paid in less than
two hours.
A large crowd attended the trial
sessions Tuesday and today and
enjoyed the sharp clashes of dean
and Bodner. The latter's frequent
objections usually were overruled.
Following testimony by officers
that "set-ups" of ginger ale and ice
we're served at the Showboat, Ward
B. Hiner, National party candidate
&c. Governor, defeated in the cleo
ton Nov. 8, took the stand
Hiner, who was in the place the
night of the raid, said a bottle of
liquor seized at the table where he
was seated was not brought by him.
He asserted on more than one
occasion that he had seen Cantwell
force intoxicated persons to leave.
Demonstrates Flipping
When he entered, the night of the
raid, Hiner testified:
"One of the girls in the front part
asked me if 1 had liquor and I
Tipped up my coat tails to show her
I had nothing on the hip"
He demonstrated the coat tail
Tipping.
Bodner and John w. Morrill,,
deputy prohibition administrator,
clashed sharply while the latter was
on the stand as a state witness.
The attorney was endeavoring to
learn the source of information on
which the witness based mis- asser-
ton that the Snowboat had a repu-
tation as a resort for drinking.
Morrill, refused point-blank to re-
ply to questions approaching the
matter from various angles.
Finally, Bodner, plainly ~angeredi
shouted:
I'VE have a right to know who
our accusers are and be met by
them in open court"
Il refuse to reply on the ground
of the government privilege of Sc
cret information" Morrill, stated.
II won't force him to answer
Sheaffer ruled.
Punctuating several heated clashes
over evidence. Dean would say, Nov.
Mr.. Bodner-'
Wins Little on Craps
At last Bodner sprang to his feet,
shouting:
i've been moved all afternoon
and charged that the state was try
ing to guess the defendants into
Jail"
witnesses called by the state to
support its charge of gambling at
the Showboat testified reluctantly
One finally admitted he won a lit
tie" shooting craps.
This witness at first refused to
reply. on the ground that he would
incriminate himself.
Who told you not to anSwer?"
the court inquired.
MY attorney" was the reply.
We'll, I'll override your attor-
ney's advice" Sheaffer said. I'D
advise you to answer"