The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-06-03
THE CLUE IN GRAND STREET.
How Policeman Hart Used the BIudseon on
Truck man John Harmon.


At half past s o'clock on Saturday evening
last. a swill truck driven by John Harmon Of
York and Jay streets. Brooklyn. halted Mt the
corner Of Grand and Wooster streets A Grand
street car was passing at the time. and the
drivers Of the car aud the truck got into dis
pute as to which had the right OF way. Han
mons horse got on the track first. and the shaft
OF the truck struck one Of the car horses in the
chest. Each man laid the blame on the other.
and Harmon. climbing on to the car platform.
threatened to thrash the driver. Finally. the
truck was dragged back and tho car was al
lowed to pass. Officer Hart OF the Prince street
police came up and ordered the truck driver,
who was still standing on the ground. to move
on. Harmon. who had evidently been drink
ing. answered: Why should move on? 2"
Hart repeated his order. at the same time
shaking his club at the truckman. whereupon
Harmon pulled of his waistcoat and held up his
fists In a scientific manner.
Why should l move on?" he cried. " I'm
an Irish boy, and ready to spar wild any O. yez. "
The officer-a large. powerful man-graspcd
the truckman by the arms and threw him to the
ground. In doing so. lannon's head came In
contact with the policeman's noee and chin.
This enraged Hart and while his victim lay on
the ground no struck him sounding blow on
the head with the locust. cutting the scalp and
causing the blood to flow freely.
Harmon cried out that he was an Irish boy.
and thatthey were numbering him" A crowd
gathered. and Officer Gilligan. who had ran to
back. while Hart piled his locust on Harmon.
Hannon's face was covered with blood. and he
eDce his e2as Pso 6n. OF Se ors In rdsT ,o
him to the ground. pressed his club
across the PROSTATE mans throat and
then pressed his knees across the, ends
Of the locust, choking the prisoner until he was
black in the face and well nigh strangled. The
sight aroused the most Intense Indignation
among the crowd which now blocked up Grand
and Wooster streets. and numbered fully ! 900
persons. Shouts Of XIII themw Hang
poured on the officers. The women joined in
the attack more zealously than the men. ON.
Ger Harts club was torn from his hand. and but
for the pistols OF himself his brother officers
1t would probably have gone hard with them.
At the iron doorstep OF 81 Wooster street the
prisoner fell again. Harmon cried and moaned.
but was dubbed and cboked into silence. A
carman who was trying TO nssist him in getting
along was ordered roughly of by the police.
truckman to the station. where his wounds were
| dressed: and he was Locked up in a cell. Al the
Hannon was arraigned on a charge OF as
sault and battery. also OF disorderly con-
duet The Court refused TO entertain the
the same time committing him TO the island one
month in default of $500 bail 10 keep the peace.
Several citizens. eye witnesses OF the aflair ap-
piled at the station Sunday morning Tor the
name and number Of the offending officer and
the address but the Sergeant on duty refused
70 give IT, Had their testimony been furnished.
il is claimed that the decision OF the Court would
have been materially different.
Oficer Hart is good-ooking, muscular
young man, with clean shaved chin and light
moustache. His version OF tine affair is:
On Saturday evening was on duty on the
corner OF Grand and Wooster streets Harmon
had had some trouble with the driver OF car
on Grand street. think they ran into each
other. The car finally got through. and went
np to HHnpan and told m him ,siyiy that pc must
hands IA though he was going to spar.
Some words followed. Then / grnsped him
by the arms and shoulders 10 force him
along. He turned. and holding his head
down, "bucked me in the nose and mouth.
drawing blood. / then gave II TO him with the
club. and I'm sorry, didn't hit harder. ] only
hit him on the head once. cutting the skin and
drawing the blood. 1t was not a powerful blow
but the sight OF the blood and the noise he made
seemed TO make the crowd think he was getting
killed. threw him down. but did not press my
locust over his throat and put my knees on It NJ
alleged. The fellow was very noisy and made
us q. great deal OF trouble The people threw
bricks, and stones at u.s. and at one time 1t
looked like a riot "