National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1873-07-31
PETTY MAGISTRATES.
CONsTABLEs ON THE WAR PATH.

Almost n Tragedy nj the National Race
Ceur-e--scixurc Of skeieton-WnEou
for Wages Mt tho Pistols Mouth by =
Pretended Oniccr-A Mounted Police
man Attending Ne n Body-Gunrd for
Protection to the Armed Party.
Business at the Long committeeman opened
brisk yesterday, and continued without inter
ruption TN O'Clock In the evening. Mr.. Alex
ander Moffatt was the rrst witness examined.
He carries on the carriagc-making business at
the National race course; had coach-trmmer
to work for him named Ben Coc, who he has
employed steadily for the last two years. few
days since Coe and Moratt had a few words
about "time," when the latter told him he was
very prompt about quitting at the striking OF the
hour, but not so particular about commencing.
Coo said he was no ''nigger" TO be driven to and
from work at the crack Of the whip. and would
quit entirely II Moffatt did not like his style,
aud he might settle with him.
Mofratt said he did not feel like making out nus
account that night, but II he wanted to quit ne
would attend TO him In the morning. Next
morning, after breakfast, Coc said ne woulu
leave, and prepared to go away, when Monau
offered to settle with him. Coo replied that he had
20, man to settle with hun, and he should give
MIN No,,s,N Al, ,nc ,rouble he could. lie in.
,a , n y, se Nm hmsrif and ne, othcrs 10 do
he same Moffait toll MIN N 10 sued MIN he
shonid Secn him out OF ms money longer than
he wouII n he settled peacefully, Coe was moi
afraid Of that he had man that would "nx"
him-eyidently meaning that he had contcm-
plated pursuing his present course Tor some time
past. COe left, and MUtIatt went to work In the
blacksmith shnn ''sett ng" some tires,
An hour or two afterwards he saw County
Policeman Anderson hitehlng his horse TO the
thing was Inc matter. Anderson said Consta-
bles Gordon and sprague had gone up stairs
into the shop, and had asked him TO come along
TO Keep the peace Moffatt told hin no thought
that was hardly necessary; II they had the au-
thority he should not oppose them; he was no
fighting man; told him 10 call them down and he
would see what they wanted, Anderson called
them down, and he (doratD asked sprague, who
appeared nfst, what they wanted,
He replied, "Ohi we Know our business
Moa 'aen .e 70 go INTO the shop up stairs .,
shop, where a new hand-an EnRllshman.wa
at work, who had boltca the door by which Cor
SsS and spIasas had M TO g down as, ne
drew his pistol, and pointing IL at The Eprllsh
man, nrst threatened 10 shoot him il he inter
Tered. The latter " skcdaddled" on the double
auluk, saving he knew nothing about their busl
ness. sprague then turned 10 Mofiatt with III
same threat, pointing his revolver az him. II
told him 10 put up his pistol and say what h
wante,l-hls gun might 10 on and hurt som
one though he Knew he was TOO big A cowar
10 shoot' WV US
MofIatt then called to Policeman Anderson
who came and ordered Sprapue Ia nut I'M hi
pistol, which order he hastened TO OBEY, bu
said they wanted no Information from Moffai
about their duties, as they Understood their bus
meas. I'm 10 this time n either Gordon nor spraru
had shown any legal AUTHORITY for the rough prt
ceeiinvs excrpt me exhIbitiop Of a constabIe
badge Nv Sprnpue. Neitber had anv notice I
snit or Summons TO conn been served upo
MofIatt lie Knew ~ NO Indictment against ri,
In any court upon which execution Could issu
as a basis OF ms ru ilianism-
These gallant conseTyntors n, Of the peat
then proceeded 10 the MINER storv az the mil,
ing and commenced 10 remove n new al eletc
WAGON that waa nearly reaJy for tbe tract wins
Moffntt again ask ed 10 ace their an horitv al T
they had mot vel shoyn him any They ihs
pulled out warrant citing Moffatt 10 appear b
fore Justice Ferguson ami answer 10 the clai
Of Ben. zoe for sos 80, and a writ OF attachmel
AGAINST the goods and ehattels ~ MofYsff 10 n
isfy inc same lilo nrotested that they mai !
rignt 10 nroceed 40 summartly in The matte
that his property conld moi RIM on and that
was not irving 10 remove II from the Dlstr,s
They said that was Justice Ferpuson's buslnes
liz then fold them that thew shoNld lryy ,
other nronsrty dawn stairs. which ne won
poInt ONT Ia them. there was plentv 10 satis
their claim. mia wagon was worth ,Sso.
pprarue said they had other claims amountir
to more than 300: that they would take m
wagon and a fine large painting down staIr
valued at as OOO.) and several other things. IN,
Knew what 20 take Moffatt demanded 10 4,
the other claims. They failed to show liner
and he told them be did not believe they HI