The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1883-05-29
JUBILANT jim.
The Trial of James GOssage
for Alleged Cruelty to
Mrs Clair
Attended With Great In
terest. and Results in
Acquittal.
Summary of the Evidence Given
by the Prosecution and
Defense.

1t Is probable that there has not been a
case in the Justices courts of Sedalia for
years that was attended with more interest
than the one before Justice Halstead,
Yesterday. This was the trial of Officer
James Gossage. accused of cruel and brutal
treatment to Mrs. John ]. Clair.
The origin of this case may be briefly
told as follows: On the 18th of May,
Mrs. John Clair and Mrs. James Thomp-
son attempted to cowhide Sam Lewis.
They chased him with their whips and he
took refuge in neighbours house Mr..
Lewis made complaint before the city le-
corder who issued warrant for the arrest
of the two women, as we'll as John Clair,
for being an accessory to the assault
Officers Jackson, Fifer and James Gossage
were detsiled to make the arrest.
When they arrived at the house where
the women were. they were met by the
husband of Mrs. Thompson who refused
them admittance, but they, nevertheless,
accomplished their mission. Mr.. GOssage
arrested Mrs. clair, who resisted and
fought him like tigress.. Her resistance
made it necessary for the officer to use
considerable force to effect the arrest. The
affair created much excitement, and more
than little comment. Public sentiment
was divided, some .contending that the
officer used more force or violence than was
necessary; others believed that he did 10
more than his duty, and was justified in all
that he did. However, on the following
day, County Attorney G. c. Heard filed an
affidavit before Justice Halsread, charging
Gossage with having exceeded his autho-
rity, and having cruelty and brutality
abused and injured Mrs. Clair, by striking,
beating and kicking her.
GOssAGE is ARRESTED.
Mr.. Gossage was arrested on the 16'h Of
of May, and entered into recognizance for
hts appearance on the 18th, when the cause
was continued one week, on account Of
sickness of Mrs. Clair, prosecuting wiz
ness. Yesterday the case was called, and
the parties answered ready for trial. The
court room was filled to its utmost capacity,
and many more sought admittance,
but were unable to find even
ney g. G, Heard prosecuted
and Capt. L. L. Bridges and VIM. ID.
Steele appeared for the defense. The first
witness examined was Mrs Clair, who les
tilted as follows:
MRS. GLARS TESTIMONY.
/ and Mrs. Thompson were in my din
ing-room, when Gossage and Jackson start
ed to come through the window; We ran
into the parlor and started out at the front
door, and were met by Officer Fifer. He
prevented our going out until Gossage and
Jackson came through. Gossage took hold
of Inc, pushed me against the door, and
L.. 70. o,xI bod
for the warrant. Jackson answered, "here
it is" but Gossage did not wait any longer
and jerked me out of the room and through
the gate to the street. | called for my hus-
band, but Gossage said L should not see my
husband. then asked for a bonnet, and
he said, 'you shan't have a bonnet" He
then grabbed me by the muscles of both
arms and started down street on a run,
jerking and kicking me. When We got
near the corner of Lamine and Main streets
he put the nippers on me and dragged me
with him. When he got me to the Gala
boose he showed me i'm cell like brute.
He cursed me and said he would knock
every tooth down my throat.
CROss-ExAMINED.
On cross-examination, Mrs. Clair said !:
"When the officers came to arrest me, l
was perfectly calm, and not all excited.
and did not resist arrest Gossage gave
me no time to resist; did not say he could
not take me; did not abuse him nor use pre-
fame language; he kicked me in the back
with his knee kicked me more than half
a dozen times; he run all the way and he
just dragged me along; | had no use OF
my feet; he put the nippers on my right
waist; this was about fifteen or twenty
minutes after chased Sam Lewis with a
cowhide"
MRS. THoMPsoN's EVIDENCE.
Mrs. james Thompson testified II and
Mrs. Clair were in her dining room and
heard persons walking around and through
the house. We looked through the win
dow and saw Policemen Gossage, jackson,
and Fifer and two reporters. We re-