Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-03-16

INVESTIGATION BY A COMMITTEE OF
TIL COUNCIL.
&C., &C., &C.,
On Monday last there was some excite
ment in the streets over the report that
Mr.. A. w. Smith, Superintendent Of the
water works, had assaulted Mr.. J. B.
Evans, the chairman Of the special and
regular water committees. Additional
matter was furnished the street takers by
the report that shortly after the above oc-
cuIrence the Superintendent had, in re-
senting some offensive language from Ex-
Mayor Bickle, tried to drag that gentle
man out of a buggy, in which he was riding
with Councilman Bagby, and had only been
prevented by Maj. Bagby whipping up the
horse and driving on. The first affair, be-
ing deemed an official matter, was taken
cognizance of by the City Council.
OFFICIAL NOTICE TAKEN OF IT.
A meeting of the Council was called
Tuesday nigh, to hear about the case, and
all the members except Mr.. Powell were
present. The following report was handed
in:
To the City Council OF the City If Stanton:
The Special Water Committee desire to
call the attention of the City Council to
the fact that on the morning OF the 18th
inst, j. B. Evans, the chairman of said
committee, WAS called to the engine house
by ii note from Superintendent A. w.
Smith requesting his presence; that having
zone to tile engine house in compliance
with the request OF Mr.. Smith, he was as
saulted by Mr.. Saith; that when Mr..
Evans lett the engine house, he WAS follow
ed by the assurance Of Mr.. Smith that the
matter between them was not ended.
We report these facts for such action as
the Council may deem proper in the pre-
misses.
Respectfully,
JNo. W. abby,
A. Fl. FULTZ.
Mr.. Burke offered the following resolu-
ton:
RESOLVED, That a special committee OF
five be appointed to investigate and report
upon the report of the Special Water Coni-
mittee this night submitted to the Coun
Gil. and that they be authorized to require
the attendance OF witnesses n the pr
duction OF all papers necessary TO their i'll
vestigatiOn.
Second, That all testimony shall be re-
duced to writing, and returned with the
| report of the committee.
Mr.. Evans said, all that he wanted ex-
amined was that part of the matter in
which the city was interested, and III
| which the Council had been divided in
| opinion for some time; as for the phase OF
it personal to himself, he was fully able to
take care of himself and would do so.
Mr.. Fultz said the report demanded full
investigation of everything connected with
it.
MI. Abby said he wan ted to know what
the Special Water Committee was to do
pending the investigation.
Mr.. Witt said, the Council had provided
for this the other night, in giving the sole
charge of the works to the Special Com
mittee.
Mr.. Alby-Well, then, the Council had
better provide somebody to do our fighting
for US F!
Mr.. Burke's resolution was adopted, and
President Fultz appointed the following
gentlemen to constitute the committee.
Messrs. Burke, Byers. Bledsoe, Weller and
| Wiz.
THE INVESTIGATION.
The Investigating Committee met Wed
| nesday night in the council room. Mr..
Meade F. White, by consent of the Com
mittee and Mi. Evans stating that he had
40 objection, acted as counsel for Mr..
| Smith in conducting the cross examina-
zion.
The statement of the witnesses on both
sides were considerably mixed up with the
technical terms of the water works, which
| would be incomprehensible to the reader,
so We give a running staten mt of the ten
" of the general evidence. The witnesses,
! at the request of Mr.. Evans, were put on
oath.
CHAIRMAN EVANS STATEMENT.
Mr.. Evans, being sworn, stated that
| early on the morning of the 18th inst. tie
received, by a colored employee of the wa
ter works, this note:
Mr. Euans:
Please cone up to the engine house. !
want you to see the condition of Che suction
injection valve.
A. W. SMITH.
On getting there he saw Mr.. Smith and
Mr.. Ed. Staples. and said, s'Good morning,
gentleman" Looked with Staples into the
valve, which was open, and saw some trash
aud what he thought was crawfish. Asked
Smith a question about the effect of this
on the engine, which he answered then
asked him a second question of the same
tenor, which he replied to by saying, Il
have no right to give you information on
that subject" Mr.. E. said. "Then what
did you send for me for" He said the Or
dinance didn't require him to give in
formation and he would give none. Mr..
E. Their said to Mr.. Staples, 81 wish you
to remember this answer CT Mr.. Smiths"
smith seemed excited, and brought witness
a paper to sign to get a scraper for the
boiler. Witness said, "Mr. Smith, as you
don't recognize me 1 decline TO sign it;
give it to some other member Of the Com
mittee.n Smith, at this, said to Staples,
81 wish you would remember this" Wit
ness then rose from his knees, where he
had been looking down into the valve,
with his cloak on. Smith was very angry
and abusive, and struck witness, who had
DO idea he was going to strike him. Smith
pushed him over and got on him, all the
time very boisterous, and saying he was
going to kill him. Witness thought Staples
was not going to separate them Or was not
able, and called to Chiles, the colored fire.
man, who pulled Smith off. Witness tried
to pick up a Ratchet when he rose, but was
prevented by Staples; then saw an axe.