New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1878-10-05
A TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLAR VA
GRANT. ,.
The LudicrOus Mistake Made by a Mi
waukee Police OHicer.

the Lud1cFOus Mistake Made by a Mill
waukee Police Onicer.
In the Wisconsin of Wednesday last was
published an account of the arrest at the
Municipal Court room, and subsequent
discharge, of one Jacob DeGray, an elderly
and wealthy resident of the city, against
whom the charge entered by an over-offic-
ious policeman, was Vagrancy. The sole
cause prompting the arrest, as stated at
the time, was that Mr.. DeGray had the
habit Of regularly attending the Court
sessions for the purpose of watching pro-
ceedings. This steady attendance, with
out any apparent business to demand his
presence, was at last noted by one of the
inefhcients of the police force detailed to
duty in the court room, and finally, on
Monday last, this officer, August Wussow
by name, approached Mr. DeGray as he
sat quietly and inoffensively in rear seat
of the court room, and tauntingly said,
"You came late to-day, what kept you :"
The old gentleman knowing the insult was
intended, made no reply, but appeared as
usual the next morning, the exhibited OBJ
lection by the officer, notwithstanding.
Immediately after taking his seat on this
occasion, Mr.. DeGray was again ap-
preached by the incensed official who,
with 'blood in his eye" demanded to
know the callers name. Mr.. DeGray
rightly concluded the question a leading
one, and being satisfied that under the
circumstances the officer was without au-
thority to demand it in such q manner,
told him, in effect, that it was none of his
business. Thereupon the blue-coat grew
more enraged and in threatening manner
told the old man that if he showed him
self in the room again he would be ar
rested.
To this threat Mr.. DeGray paid no heed,
being read up as to the provisions of the
State Constitution, and knowing well that
a court of law in court hours is closed to
no one. On Wednesday morning, there
fore, he came again, and seating himself
before the court session was opened, he
was bounced upon by Wussow and fell
low incompetent in uniform, and, seized
by both wrists, was rudely dragged to the
prisoners row, and ordered to stay there.
Upon this indignity the old gentleman
made no remark but to inquire why be
was thus treated, and whether he had
done anything wrong. To these questions
Wussow replied grufly that he would
find out soon enough" and then left him
and went down stairs (after the act of ar
rest, be it borne in mind), and swore out
a warrant charging vagrancy. The form
of the affidavit of complaint by Wussow
was ''that the defendant DeGray is an idle
person, not having any visible means to
maintain himself; that he lives without
employment, and is therefore vagrant.
On this warrant the old gentleman was
arraigned for trial, and appeared with Mr..
Hover for his counsel City Attorney
johnson was called to the stand and testi-
fed that within his personal knowledge
the defendant was worth $50, 900, and lived
on the the interest of his fortune. This
stunning information, of course, squelched
the prosecution, and the release of the
prisoner was promptly ordered by Judge
Mallory. Mill0dubee Wisconsin,.