Case Name: Peter Yepperson v. The State
Court: Supreme Court of Texas
Jurisdiction: Texas
Decision Date: 1873
Citations: 39 Tex. 48
Docket Number: 
Parties: Peter Yepperson v. The State.
Judges: 
Reporter: Texas Reports
Volume: 39
Pages: 48–49

Head Matter:
Peter Yepperson v. The State.
Though a table kept in a public place upon which games are played is usu- • ally kept for the fees of the table, and not for gaming, yet if a game be played for money, the keeper may be properly found guilty of keeping it for the purpose of gaming, in the absence of proof that the money was bet without his knowledge or consent.
Appeal from Titus. Tried below before the Hon. J. D. McAdoo.
Peter Yepperson was fbund guilty of keeping a gaming table, called “pigeon-hole,” for the purpose of gaming,. in a public place, upon the following evidence:
It was shown that the “pigeon-hole” table was licensed, and the exhibitor of the same usually charged for its use fifteen cents. Sometimes the players, instead of paying the fees, would buy drinks of liquor from the-keeper, which were paid for sometimes by the loser and at others by the winner. One witness swore that he knew the table was kept for the fees, and not for gaming. The State proved by one who frequently witnessed games played on the table that he saw money bet on it once, and but once, but the evidence did not disclose whether-the keeper was then present or not.
John P. Hill, for appellant.
Browne, for the State.

Opinion:
Walker, J.
We might, by a very elastic nse of our credulity, conclude that the gaming table here in question stood very innocently and without illegal or sinister occupation in the house of the appellant, were not the contrary proved; but the proof shows that this otherwise innocent and unobnoxious table was used to bet money on, and we are therefore of the opinion that the appellant cannot, be excused, under the somewhat ingenious and facetious "pigeon-holed case" reported in 33Texas, 331. The judgment of the District Court is affirmed.
Affirmed.