THE LAST OF THE WICKEDEST MAN.
The last appearance of the "wickedest man" in public, was a short while ago, when he and his wife, and several of his girls, were arraigned before Justice Dowling, at the Tombs Police Court, on the charge of robbing a sailor of fifteen dollars. The trial, as reported in the daily journals, was a severe commentary upon the revivals, and those who had been conducting them. The following is the account of it:
John Allen and wife, and several girls, who have made that saintly personage's house their home, were before Justice Dowling yesterday morning, to answer a number of damaging charges—among them, keeping a resort for thieves, gamblers, and prostitutes, and robbing Benjamin Swan, a seaman. The story may be best told by the victim, who was examined by Justice Dowling, as follows.
Justice.—'Tell me, Swan, how this robbery occurred.'
Swan.—'Well, your Honor, I was going along Water street, on Friday night, and was picked up by the girl, and taken to a private room in the house of Allen. I gave Mrs. Allen five dollars, to pay for drinks, etc.; and during the night, my bedfellow, Margaret Ware, took from my pantaloons pocket fifteen dollars, which she said she gave to Mrs. Allen to keep. When I asked it back, they would not give it to me. I am sure it was John Allen's house.'
The testimony of this witness having been taken, Captain Thorne made a formal complaint against John Allen for keeping a disorderly house.
Justice.—'How do you know that he keeps a disorderly house, captain?'
Captain.—'I take it on the testimony of this man, who has been robbed there.'
Justice.—'Yes, but you must have stronger testimony than that. The law says that it requires more than one act to constitute a disorderly place.'
Captain.—'I have policemen here to prove that it is disorderly.'
Justice.—'Allen, what do you say to this charge?'
Allen.—'Your Honor, during the past six weeks I have done no business. My house has been used all the time for prayer-meetings.'
Justice.—-'What about the robbery of this man?'
Allen.—'I have nothing to say about it, for I was not at home last night. I know very well that the captain does not want to have me locked up. We have always been good friends, haven't we, captain?'
Captain.—'I have nothing to say about it.'
Allen.—'If no charge is made, I promise to have nothing to do with politics.'
Justice.—'Do you mean to say that politics had any thing to do with your arrest?'
Allen.—'I don't say anything at all about it, your Honor.'
Justice.—'Then why do you hint at it?'
Allen.—'I will promise not to interfere one way or the other, if I am allowed to go.'
The court loungers, who know something of the peculiar politics of the
Fourth Ward, here laughed immoderately.
Justice.—'You go to the captain, and tell him all about it.'
Allen.—'I won't vote at all if I am let go. I always keep in with the police.' (Laughter.)
Justice.—'That's right.'
Allen.—'Only for the kindness of the police, I never could have kept my place so many years. They have always been my friends.' (Laughter.)
Justice.—'How long is it since you have had any prayer meetings in your house?'
Allen.—'About eight days.'
Justice.—'You have got through with them, then, have you?'
Allen.—'Well, yes, they are not held in my house any more, but they do be held at Jim Miller's, next door, all the same.'
Justice.—'I believe those praying fellows are the most disorderly persons in Water street. Captain, if you would arrest them, some time, and charge them with disorderly conduct, I think you would be doing good service to the community, for their religious gatherings have been a farce.'
Margaret Ware was committed for trial, and John Allen was held on three hundred dollars bail to answer at the Special Sessions. Daniel Creedon, lodging-house keeper, who represents ten thousand dollars in real estate, became John Allen's bondsman. John says that Oliver Dyer caused his arrest and that the whole thing was a 'put up job.'