The Trial of Harry Bray
A vagrancy trial before Justice Cann leads to a hung jury and reveals the tense atmosphere of Washington Street.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
A trial of more than usual interest was that of Harry Bray, who was yesterday afternoon tried before Justice Cann on a charge of vagrancy. A jury trial was demanded by the accused, who was defended by W. H. White, Esq. City Attorney Osborne conducted the prosecution. In the course of the arguments, Washington street and its environments, residents and frequenters received a severe overhauling. Indeed, such a legal battle was fought within the narrow precincts of the Justice's Court that the six awe-stricken jurymen were utterly unable to agree upon a verdict. It is understood that they stood four for conviction and two for the acquittal of the accused. The trial will be renewed at 10 o'clock this morning.
“In the course of the arguments, Washington street and its environments, residents and frequenters received a severe overhauling.”
Vagrancy laws were frequently used in the 19th century to regulate social behavior and public order in specific neighborhoods. Washington Street, once a center of nightlife and transit, is now part of the historic heart of Pioneer Square, illustrating how definitions of 'public nuisance' and the enforcement of city codes have evolved.
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