The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-06-25
Row AT THE FIRST WARD POLLS
PREPARING FOR THE ELECTION.
THREE MEN SHOT BY A CAPTAIN OF
THE POLICE.

Just before the close of the registration
polls of Jefferson Ward at Old Market Hall
yesterday afternoon, there was disturb
ance of the peace, resulting in the serious
wounding Of joe Kelly, a well known ward
politician and sporting man." and the re-
ceipt of slight flesh wounds by two police
men.
There ore the usual conflicting rumors
concerning the origin of the row. Most of
the witnesses agree that it grew out of
half jocular dispute between William Peas
ley, o fsh-monger,. and negro named
James Fl. Bratt. The negro was complain
ing that the registration had not been con-
Quoted fairly, end said something about
going to Washington to get an order to have
the polls kept open. as he said this, in
gesturing, he accidentally struck Peasley,
and the latter pushed him back, cxclaim-
ing, Mind who you're hitting !" or some
thing tn that asFant- s--.--------.
This was at the other end Of the room
occupied by the registrars, and within n
few PAGES of the place where the Mayor
usually holds his court. Several policemen
were standing near Mt hand, and as soon as
Peasley raised his hand one of them
rushed forward and placed him under ar
rest. He protested, and demanded to know
the cause. The negro, too, said that Peas
ley had not done anything to him; and the
party were engaged in dispute when Col
onel Egbert, the chief of police, came up,
and seeing that row was imminent,
sought to quiet matters by taking Peasley
to the cage-the latter going INTERESTINGLY
as soon as he found that be was addressed
by the Chief of Police. He was locked up
for few minutes; but presently learning
that the arrest grew out of mistake, Col
oncl Egbcrt set him at liberty.
In the meantime Joe Kelly had taken up
the cause of his friend, and loudly de-
nounced the arrest as unnecessary and un-
warrantable. Captain Callahan, of the
police, between whom and Kelly there was
an old feud, walked towards him and
threatened him also with arrest. High
words followed-Kelly moving off, and say
ing, as the report goes, that he didn't want
+ to have anything to do with man who had
sworn to lie (alluding to Callahan's taking
the iron-clad), and swearing that he would
have him (C.) in the penitentiary yet for
his crimes. Callahan following, presently
put him under arrest. Other policemen
rushed in, and in moment Kelly was be-
ing dragged down stairs to the police-sta-
ton. There was an armed policeman on
either side of him, and it is alleged that
while thus guarded and fat of his back
Callahan drew pistol and fred several
times at the prisoner. One ball went in his
abdomen, another took effect in his shoul-
der, and third gave officer Kennedy a
trifing flesh wound. Kelly then managed
to fire his pistol, and either this shot or one
OF Callahan's struck officer Mccarthy in the
back, just below the shoulder-blade.
The policemen then quit their hold of the
prisoner, and he was led, bleeding pro-
fusely, and apparently dying, to the office
| of DR.. Jackson, which was close at hand
subsequently he was taken to the house Of
Squire Bob Allen, on Cary street, and there
received additional surgical attention Mt tht
hands of DR.. Hunter Mcguire. The wounc
in the abdomen was pronounced serious i
not mortal. .-.
The negro with whom the difficulty origi
mated was about 20 walk off without hin
drance of the police, but Colonel Egbert
whose coolness and presence of mind were
equally displayed, without word per
| formed the neglected duty of his subordi
mates, threw his arms about the fellows
waist, and pushed him into cell before
there was opportunity for resistance. Cap,
tain Callahan was promptly suspended BY
the same official, and later in the day he
was arrested on warrant issued by Justice
Murphy charging him with q felonious
assault upon Joseph Kelly. ....... .
1t seems to be generally conceded that
the action of Captain Callahan, according
to the evidence so far addueed, was cruel
cowardly, and unprovoked. This is moi
the first time that such charges have been
made against this officer, and the people
have right to demand thorough and i'm
partial investigation of his conduct, such as
Mayor Chahoon will doubtless order.
If the facts ore as stated, he should not
only be removed from Office, but made tc
suffer the extreme punishment for o feloni
Gus assault. We say this with full know.
ledge that Kelly is by no means the best
man in Richmond; but also with full recol-
lection Of the fact that if he is the worst he
has no less the right to be protected from
the cruel malice Of brutal police officer.
The parties will be brought before the
Mayor this morning, and if Kelley's condi-
ton will admit on examination will be
held. g..E ..