Colored Woman Fined Ten Dollars
August 20, 1904
Summary
Court charges young black actress ten dollars after “ refusing to move when ordered to do so by a conductor of a street car.”
Transcription
Actress’ Maid Under Arrest-Mary ‘Marble’s Negro Servant Declined to Move When Conductor Ordered Her.
[Richmond,Va.,News-Leader]
The magistrates court-room at the Henrico county court-house today took on an air theatrical when the case of Addie Ayers, a young Negro woman, charged with refusing to move when ordered to do so by a conductor of a street car, came up before Magistrate Lewis.
Manager McKee was there; John Dunne was there, and a goodly throng of persons assembled to hear the more or less dramatic recitals of how it all came about.
The Negro is maid to Mrs. Dunne whose stage name is Mary Marble, the leading lady in the “Knickerbocker Girl.”
A warrant yesterday was sworn out for her arrest. Last night she was again taken into custody at the Casino. Mr. Mckee came to the rescue for her appearance this morning.
“Why certainly not. I didn't know I was arrested,” said the wielder of costumes. “ I didn't know the conductor could arrest anybody. Yes the conductor told me he put me under charge, but I didn't know I was arrested. People tells you lots of things.”
The magistrate said there was no doubt about this law having been violated and the woman legally arrested and knowing it. He imposed a fine of $10 and costs, amounting to $15.45. The fine was paid.
[Richmond,Va.,News-Leader]
The magistrates court-room at the Henrico county court-house today took on an air theatrical when the case of Addie Ayers, a young Negro woman, charged with refusing to move when ordered to do so by a conductor of a street car, came up before Magistrate Lewis.
Manager McKee was there; John Dunne was there, and a goodly throng of persons assembled to hear the more or less dramatic recitals of how it all came about.
The Negro is maid to Mrs. Dunne whose stage name is Mary Marble, the leading lady in the “Knickerbocker Girl.”
A warrant yesterday was sworn out for her arrest. Last night she was again taken into custody at the Casino. Mr. Mckee came to the rescue for her appearance this morning.
“Why certainly not. I didn't know I was arrested,” said the wielder of costumes. “ I didn't know the conductor could arrest anybody. Yes the conductor told me he put me under charge, but I didn't know I was arrested. People tells you lots of things.”
The magistrate said there was no doubt about this law having been violated and the woman legally arrested and knowing it. He imposed a fine of $10 and costs, amounting to $15.45. The fine was paid.
About this article
Source
Location on Page
Upper Right Quadrant
Topic
Contributed By
Megan Brooks
Citation
“Colored Woman Fined Ten Dollars,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed March 15, 2026, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/661.