The daily gazette., 1883-02-06
AN OFFICER ON TRIAL.
M,cULLoUGHis
HURRY TO ARREST.
GEORGE W. QUINEs EXPERIENCE.
Testimony Concerning a Row at the Little
Election Polls in the Second Wsrd--A
Mass of Contradictory Testimony.

the tipstaves lolled about in easy chairs,
Tommy fell asleep leaning on his cane, the
spectators yawned, and the Honorable
Judges patiently awaited developments.
At last, at 4.30, the grand jury reported
to the court that they had found three true
bills, all for larceny, and they were then
dismissed until 10 o'clock to-day.
w. Bacon, Esq, counsel for John F. Nc
Cullough, police officer, charged with
assault and battery, requested that the case
be postponed, owing to the absence of i'm
portant witnesses for the defense. The
Attorney General objected ON the ground
that the case had been postponed from the
last term of court by request of the de-
fendant. Mr.. Bacon said he had only taken
the case in the morning at II o'clock from
Levi Bird, Esq, and hadn't time to hunt up
witnesses. The court decided to go on with
the hearing and jury was drawn.
John X. Bradford, Esq, presented the
case for the Commonwealth. The indict-
ment charged the defeD 'ent with exceed
ing his authority and making a violent and
unjustifable arrest"
George M. Quinn, the plaintiff, was called
TO the stand and sworn.
He stated that on the afternoon of the
Little Election, Oct 3, 1882, he was taken in
a carriage to the Second ward polls in the
city of Wilmington. When he was going
to vote disturbance had just been finished.
AS he stepped over the curbstone he re-
marked, to some one obstructing the way,
"Let those vote who can vote" Just as he
said that he was knocked down by someone
grabbing him, and as went to get up officer
Mccullough said, "You are my prisoner"
He did not know who knocked him down.
He was taken to the Hall, on his way there
the officer accusing him Of uttering an oath.
He hadn't done anything at all. Was locked
in the Hall, but was bailed out soon.
Robert II. Taylor, sworn know George
w. Quinn was at the polls October 8, In
Second ward saw disturbance about 4
o'clock there was dispute about black
mans vote an imperfect line was formed
across pavement, about seven feet wide q
talk occurred at the window Quinn was In
line going to window he remarked "Why
don't they settle the matter and let those
vote who have right to2'' Mccullough at
once seized Quinn, throwing him to the
cobble-stones, hurting his head; officer
Heal said "den't abuse the man !" Quinn
was taken to the Hall and bailed by Mr.
Plunkett; he was tried next day before the
Mayor and the case dismissed.
John Plunkett, sworn was outside
crown when row occurred, but saw McCul-
Tough grab Quinn and throw him down
violently; latter was dragged away and
taken to the hall officer Mccullough did
not fall with Quinn.
Frank Stanton, sworn know Mr.. Quinn
recollect occurrence at Second ward polls
went in q carriage after Quinn to vote
Quinn got out of carriage and started for
polls, one hand in bis vest pocket, and .
ballot in his other hand; crowd stood in
the way and Quinn said "0pen the way and
let them 90 up to vote who kin vote p
Mccullough then seized Quinn and threw
him down, taking him to the hall; Quinn
did not push or crowd his way.
James j. Monahan, sworn: Remember
when Quinn arrived in Stanton's carriage;
when Quinn stepped up to the polls there
was crowd on the pavement; in q few
minutes saw Mccullough grabb Quinn and
take him toward the Hall; did not hear
Quinn say anything.
Lewis Hanson, sworn Know George M.
Quinn; about 4 O'Clock p. M, Oct. 8 last,
when Igot to the polls there was a slight
disturbance; saw Quinn when he got from
his carriage and heard him remark some
thing about not letting him vote; saw Nc
Cullough grab for the man, who fell, thought
the officer fell with Quinn; he did not crowd
or push his way into line.
State rested when Mr.. Bacon made
brief address, claiming that Quinn had re-
marked: "Throw the black
out and let white man vote" at the polls.
Joseph X. Vickers, policeman, sworn
Was at Second ward polls Little Election,
saw disturbance there about O'clock
inspector Crowford beckoned for officers
and told witness to quiet the crowd; while
l was talking to Crawford, heard some one
say "throw the black - - out'S
and then heard Mccullough say, 'I'll tend
to you;" Quinn was about three feet be-
hind witness; Quinn fell and Mccullough
stumbled ON his knees; heard the exelamR-
ton made in loud voice; but cannot tell
who used 1t; was busy at the time talking in
the poll window to Crawford; there was
much talk by several parties; never saw
Quinn before that day.
George E. Cannon, policeman, sworns
Followed Vickers when he went to quiet the
crowd; heard Mr.. Quinn say "Pull the
OUT" am positive that he
said it; Mccullough then grabbed Quinn,
who fell over the curb, and was taken to the
Hall afterwards.
Witness refused at first to answer the
question put by Mr.. Bradford whether he
had testified before the Mayor that Quinn
had used the expression quoted. The court,
however, commanded him to reply, and
after some equivocaton, he said he had
heard Quinn speak and use the profane eX-
preston. Witness became much nettled at
the pointed questions of Mr.. Bradford, and
when asked ii he was standing behind Quinn
ISluctA W dho oulAShig gave SNaoAfC
answers to subsequent questions.
Mayor Wales was then called for the de-
fence. Mr.. Bradford objected to the wit
ness upon the ground that he was not
present at the time the assault was said to
have been committed. Mr.. Bacon said he
wished to prove that owing to a conflict In
the testimony the case against Quinn had
| been dismissed when he was heard in the
police court. The court decided to let the
witness answer that question, when the
Mayor said Quinn had been discharged
partly because of the conflicting testimony.
The jurors then, at 5.45, were discharged
! until this morning,
George Burton, black, was arraigned and
pleaded not guilty to the charge of stealing
two turkeys from Barney Reybold in Red
Lion hundred. Burton also, with Nathaniel
Fisher, pleaded not guilty to stealing II
chickens, valued at as cents each, from
John Biddle, of New Castle hundred.
Harrison Rothwell, pleaded not guilty to
breaking into and entering the office of
| VIM. K. Cause, in Wilmington, and stealing
two keys. He declared himself ready for
trial and the court appointed W. 7. Lyman
as counsel,
VERDICT.
At this mornings session OF court the
a. &c