The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-03-29
ROUNDSMAN LEWIS TRIAL.

Err BRowN's COMPLAINT-BOTH SIDES OF THE
STORY BEFORE THE POLICE COMMISSIONERS.
Tho complaint against Roundsman Lewis, OF tho
Broadway Squad, made by Robert G. Brown, OF mar
lem was heard by Commissioners Wheeler ana Nicn'
OILS at Police Headquarters yesterday Inc men $1,000
side by side before tho Comm ssionsrs ana cacn maoe
his statement That OF Mr.. Brown, which was sub
stantay related In the HERALD some days ago. was 10
the effect that on the Goth Of February he with
friend was at the depot OF Harlem Railroad. about
10 take tho I249 train the city, and were convers-
Ing on the reduction Of tho salaries OF the police
when Lewis, then in citizens dress, remarked that
the police earned cvory dollar they got Mr.. brown
Who was IN favor of reducing officers wages, ala not
know the defendant and did not want TO nave any
thing to say him. Still continuing their discuss'on
the civilans--Brown and fricnd-got upon the Train
and were followed TO the Same car ny Lew's
who, Mr.. Brown contends, used some very ononsVe
language. Mr.. Brown stigmauzcd HIM as ioafer
ana remarked that no did not any conversation
with him, whereupon the conductor ordered the ON
Ger out OF he car On the 18th Of March MIR. Brown
saws he was accosed ut the of Houston street
and Broadway by Roundsman Lewis and provoked to
a fresh war OF words, in tho course OF which CON-
painant stated that acquainted with the people
at Headquarters aud would have the uniform stripped
OF his back. The officer then arrested him, refused 10
take him to Headquarters, hire coach or even 20
through a retired street, and pushing him ignomn-
ousiy along conducted HIM TO the Tombs where JUS
ticc kilbrelh discharged the prisoner alter nearing
rnE RoUypsMAy's STORY.
Roundsnan Lewis, In rcbutta, summed ms own
case In these words:-l had day oil on the Zoh OF
February and, IN citizens Clothes repaired 10 tue
depot In Harlem to take the down tram 10 the city
l saw friend OF NINE near Mr. BroWh-wnon' u.a
not know ail-and accosed by the former pleas
antly He said, "Hao! hows thisr n9ws tns'
In citizens clothes, heys" TO which - re Gsas
mark about the lorce, adding, indicating me thouSh
.'Thcrcs another OF them they get too much money
His language this elect, ana ], leel,rg myself
addressed remarked .that | did not think tho
police received any moro money than they carmel.
Words on either side followed In tue car, whlcn we
both entered, he called me oaier and used scurr-
Ious epthcts; but Mr.. Commissioners, tnen as ever,
| remembered | was an officer ana dld not act ae-
excessively. The conductor, who heard what passed.
went into another car On the 18th OF March was
and BeecKer street, when l saw Mr.. Brown pass
toward Crosby street There, SAID l, Fraser, Is
man that gave me one OF the worst oiackguaruingsI
ever got IN my lie, and Pm sure don't know ior
what unless IL be that lie mlstook me Tor some
officer VINO ill-treated him on former occasion;
ei; Fraser and proceeded down broadway toward the
Metropolitan HOTEL thinking that, alter all, Mr. Brown
had mistaken me for somebody else whom he owed
grudge; met officer Holman and sauntered back with
him 10 the corner OF Houston street; there Holman
and parted, he going back little, remaining near
by just at that moment Il deserted MI. Brown com,
ing up Houston street, and as i was IN his way
thought would accost him, and, being i'll uniform, lot
him see that he had mistaken me for another man;
officer you abused SO the other day in tho
train?'' eyes yes, " said he; II know you ana dopt
want have thing say oyou. You're big loafcr,
and III tell you wherever meet yon II you take
oil your uniform l can lick YOU" when remon.
strutcd with him he told that he knew "Clint"
Wheeler, the Commissioner, and would have the uni
form stripped of my back. He continued to abuse
and reve me In most scandalous manner and threat
ened to do SO whenever he met me. So took HIM to
the Tonbs When he askcd me TO takc him to Police
Headq said we aid not carry our prisoners
there. The prisoner was not committed
Hon nd nd
of tho story as related them tho former saying that
though he stood only hty feet from LOWS and Brown
he saw signs violence the part OF the former
Tho case was then closed.