Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1878-01-11
THAT is about the idea.

committed?
Al stated-they were firing squibs
and those large cannon crackers.
Q.-Were they angry or demonstratiye
against anybody ?
Al saw nothing Of the kind
Q.-Do you know anything sf the gener-
al efficiency OF the polico
Al only know by hearsay.
Cor of any city official engaged in
these proceedings?
A.-Personally know of none.
Q.-Is there anything else you would
like to state?
A.-Would it be proper for me to tell of
anything applying to the efficiency of the
police that l don't know myself, so as to
bring out other witnesses.
Q.-The Committee has decided that
only personal knowledge is admissible.
Cross-examined by Mr.. White.
The crowd committed no injury on my
premises. They offered insults to me by
calling out for me. My wife and family
were shivering with fear. The crowd were
calling for me to come out, and singing
songs in a confusion like the whole regions
of perdition were broke loose. My wife is
in feeble health, and I feared il would
bring on hemorrbage. It did not bring
on hemorrhage. My daughter was made
sick. There was no insulting language Of
fered me, but they were calling for me and
singing glory hallelujia. Can't remember
any phrase. taken apart from the rest, that
would constitute an insult. Can't re-
member any particular thing said to me or
my family that would be an insult. Did
not see the crowd, but they sounded like
they were men. They used no epithets
towards me. heard plenty of profanity.
The crowd probably numbered 100. Did
not see them, and can't say whether they
were from the town OF country. 1 live in
the suburbs. There was no indecent Ian
guage, and in the confusion I would not
like to specify any profane terms. They
were there or 10 minutes. I made no
complaint to the police about it.
Examined by Mr.. Weller.
saw no policeman there or when I saw
the crowd down town. I would state in
regard to the resolutions presented in
the Council that they were brought in at
the request of majority of the Council
and many citizens outside, and think
that they can be substantiated by the
proper witnesses.
Jos. Newman, officer of police, was put
on the stand, but the committee having de-
cided that the police being the parties I'M
der prosecution, need not testify if they
did not choose, he stepped down.
A MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL ON
THE STAND.
Jas. T. Byers, sworn, said he thought
the police took steps to prevent disorder
Christmas night. Saw crowd of young
people together firing pop crackers, and
the police dispersed them several times.
Don't know of any arrests-it would have
been almost an impossibility to arrest the
right man. Saw officers Crowder, New
man and Fletcher, and probably Houni-
han dispense the crowds. The crowd was
all in mighty good humor, nobody SEEM
ed mad. Didn tsee any damage done. Have
always thought the police force a good
one. When he passed the streets at night
had seen them attending to their duties.
In reply to the question if he knew of
any City official engaged in the crowds
witness said, "You'll have to- find that
out from SOMEBODY else."
Cross examined.
Saw nothing done to endanger the lives
or property of citizens. The crowd of
men and boys seemed to be enjoying them
selves, and witness saw nothing to indi-
cate lawnessness or anything more than
Christmas frolic. When the crowd were
at the Bank corner saw two or three po-
1iceman 60 there and the crowd then went
away. It was about or o'clock.
WHAT A CITIZEN SAW.
W. N. Bumpus sworn, testified that
Christmasnight he saw the crowd on the
streets. Never saw better natllred crowd
in his life. At the bank corner, all engaged
were warm friends of Mr.. Bledsoe-men
that would have fought for him if neces-
sary and when officer Fletcher came up
and said it was time to stop that noise
they went away. Mr.. Bledsoe came othe
door and complained Of pop-crackers being
thrown at him. Some young men threw
single crackers at him. Saw no more of
theerowd after officer Fletcher dispersed
them. Think the police are efficient. A
man was going along with lantern when
some young man called to him to put it
out. 1t was good jolly crowd.
Cross examined.
Saw no indications of lawlessness. Some
of the best young men in the city
were in the crowd and some old
ones too. Don't think the police could
have possibly singled out any man who
fred a squib. The crowd was at the bank
corner about minutes. 1t was very far
from being mob. I have lived in Staun-
ton for some years and compared with the
past the present police force keeps good
order, Talking Of the occurrence that
old Police force, he said that in his time
when anything of the kind occurred he
Just went along with the boys and saw that
they did no damage to property or persons;
that it was impossible to make arrests.
Witness saw man hold pack of squibs
a little distance fir ON MI. Bledsoe's win
dow and touch them off.
ANOTHER COUNCILMAN.
Mai 3. L. Bagby sworn, knew nothing
personally of the occurrences of either
night, nor of the general efficiency OF the
police force.
Adjourned to Wednesday night.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT.
Messrs. Cochran and Weller were pres
emf as were the counsel on both sides, but
there being no witnesses present to be ex-