New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-11-20
TIE TRIAL OF WILLIAMS.
TESTIMONY or THE COMPLAINANT
lie DEsCnIBts THE ALLEGED ASSAULT ~ DLIAn~
OPENING or TuE OFFENCE.

TESTIMONY OF TIE COhIbAlNANi'
lie DFsCIuBts THE ALLEGED ASSAULT ~ DLIAn~
OPENING or TuE OFFENCE.
The trial of Captain Alexander 5. Williams,
OF tn Tweuty-ninth Precinct Police accused Of ciup
bling Charles W. Smith Madison Square on October TO-
was continued IN the Court of General Sessions yester
day. As before Ehu Root and George Bliss appeared
for Cnpt.ln Williams and Assistant Dstrict-Attorney
Rollins for the prosecution
william Deierling, clerk In law Office estnen 'na'
no witnessed the assault upon smith, who stood hVe
feet distant from him. His attention was called 10
smith by hearing a blow struck. Tne witness saidi
Captain Williams shouted Get backl Get DackF Inc
crowd obeyrd him fast as II could move Then saw
Captain Williams strike Smith on the shoulder across
the breast and think blow under the chin The
Captain reached the shoulders OF several people
and struck Mr. Smith at first the shoulder. Mr..
Smith then made remarks, and the Captain passed
through the crowd To him. didn't hear the Captain
speak see his lips mOving-I was watching his club
The crowd seemed astOnished when the first blow was
struck. Mr.. Smith struck second blow. and then
he fell back. Captain Williams then raised bis club as II
to s'rke him third time under the chin. hut am not
positive the blow struck Just then officer Fleming
came rushing up and struck Smith blow ON the head
Alexander Woods. a furniture dealer. testified; 81
went 10 the review because thought 10 was the last
public occasion which should see Governor Robin
presiding. The first thing about the assault saw
Captain Williams striking Smith across the breast
with fist and CLUB. II such violent blow that
Smith would have fallen 1t had not been for the crowd
behind keeping him erect. That the only blow
Captain Williams strike. lie had scarcely taken of
when Officer Fleming struck Smith on the head
terrib blow" Max Rosenthal, painter, OF No l73
West Houston-st' said " was srsndin1 py smith
side when ths assault TOOK pace me nfst thhg sa"
OF It Captain Williams striking snfrn on the hands
what are you dOmgro meP Captain Williams responded:
"'---yo m show you what am doing
"Thrn no gave HIM another blow over The hand. Then
another policeman along and struck Smith on the
legs. Aud then Fleming Come over With hls club anu
Mr.. smith, the complainant In the OF No. 40 VII
lowplacc BROOKLYN was next examined His testimony
I was on the sidewalk about three feet back from
the curb The first time saw Captain Williams wac
when be standing Ia the middle OF the street. The
hrst thing he did 10 come before MS and say Got
TO -. back here" and pushed toward us with MS
club Then he struck me on the shoulder. said;
What are You doing ! way do you strike me g
lie then seized me by the lapel OF the coat and swing
srOuud struck villa his club across the back
He then struck me beneath tue left arm.
Nj. Rolin--Tlluslrate tue blows here's cane.
Captain Williams altogether struck me FIVE times; the
trt time on the left shoulder, on The back the second
ume, the thru time under the arm the fourth time On
tn right arm -.
Mr. smitl-why. my dear
Mr.. ROins-Ncyer mud such afectOna'e terms
Mr.. smitl-Weil. sir, lac struck me on ia" rist ann
with great hl.ncy, as have already narrated
Mr.. Rooi-Do Won remember perfectly the cigcum- !
IT noes Of the a-saultl
Mr. smith-Yes. sir; they were financially Impressed
on my mind. The marks Oh the blows have mostly |
passed away although there may be signature here
ana there my body.
Mr.. Root-WheD ddyOu 1rst become aware Of your
iniurio-f
M. snitl-Whcn first aWokc iu the hospital IN
fet mood of sup dity became aware or my Injuries
Nv position OF s knees therein mas confused my memo
RES
Mr.. ROot-Are you remember the precise /
numberof blows given you hy Captain Miiamsi
Mr.. Sibl-IAey we're brand n IN the IL ID and can De |
specified. nave 10 since tIr day came from the hos
pittl IN BLACK and blue handwriting.
Alexander n. Fisher. House Physician IN the New !
York Hos tal. testified That he treated Smith I'm that
hospital for slight scalp wound D. A0oph Verona |
Smith On October 81 and * mined him. Besides the !
wOund The mead the skin dlsconrrd over the col
iar-bOne, tue back aud Oh the right arm. Smith |
seemed i'm great pam and could take OF his clothes
wi n ease. The prOrect ton here rested.
Elinu Root. IN hi, opening speech for the defence |
ch irgrd tb { Captain Williams sun ring from lie |
fauii Of Officer Fleming In reviewing the testimony
the defence. Mr.. Root asserted thnt II had been
wOi tiics- lie iurih'r said that M order 10 keep
crowd back at parade, 10 was an absolute necessity |
actual ply seal force should he use0, and that par
ucular individuals should be singled out. d" II Won |
should sustain Mr.. Wniichurcn" lie continued, lyon
wouid dcmOra the officer ged IN |
REFRESHING the criminal classes this CITY"
George ". DIks, Inspector OF Police, testified that he
command at Madison square on the day ~ the |
paf ade and he detailed pain Williams Ia duty !
mere said. " IL "A difficult matter To keep the
into the crowd, pushing Them back with HI e. no. he
WAS gone about minute. when he returned and |
said that officer bad struck citizen, and asked |
permission 10 arrest him."
Captain Williams trying to press tie crowd back. |
heard hun 'sfaad back. stand back was ia such /
e pO.Tun that | could nave seen Captain Williams /
strike smith. lie did not strike tho man."