Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-11-24
A COLORED MAN SRsOT by A
POLICEMAN.
Trouble Growing Out of the Arrest Of
Two Women without a Warrant

MIS- h W. Srait, living al NO. 40 h street north
east reported to police headquarters last Tuesday,
that on the previous Tuesday she had given col
ored woman about f35 worth of clothing to wash
for her, and the woman had failed to return the
articles The colored woman. whose name was
given as Emma Stewart, was, said Mrs Grant, a
stranger to her; she (ArS t) mad called the woman
in from the street ami trusted her with the cloth-
ing The case was assigned To Detectives Cox and
Carter, who suspected several women, but all of
them, on investigation, turned out TO be innocent.
saturday afternoon Mr.. Grant met a colored woman
IN one OF the Columbia street GERS. whom he
thought was the guilty party. from the description
his wife had given of her. and he followed ner until
she arrived in a village called .Rag Town. near
Lincolnville. about two miles east of BennlLg' IS
bridge These facts were made known TO the
police, and Sergeant Siattery, with Oilicer Slack
and special Officer Anderson, started Tor Rag
Town" about nine O'Clock yesterday morning.
Onicer Stacks suspicion rested upon two middle
aged colored women named Susan Barnes and
Harriet 1SaacS. who were found In .sRag Town. -
and he placed them under arrest. They protested
their innocence but the officer informed them that
they would have 10 60 To the station house ami
they could prove their innocence at the proper
time.
STOUT RESISTANCE TO THE OFFICERS.
"Don't you go wild dat police. SUSAN" said John
Barnes. the husband OF one Of the prisoners
The woman was encouraged by the remarks OF
the Old man, and began to resist the officer In
less than FIVE minutes about 80 negroes had assem-
bled and made all attack on the officers, who were
overIOweTed and the prisoners taken from them
During the light. Susan, one OF the women cut at
sh john sas stres u e pq ss5s Sps ssuSag ors MS hs
head With cfub While his daughter Martha struck
him over the head with bottle, wrecking The
Officers hat John ISaacS. the husband OF the other
prisoner also TOOK part In the fight. whicn threat
ened serious disturbance tine whole crowd direct
Ing their efforts towards Officer Slack. VINO being
pressed very Close drew his revolver and
FIRED INTO THE CROWD,
the bullet passing through the calf OF the leg OF the
Old colonel man, John Barnes, who was removed To
his house, where the wound was dressed by Dr.
Sorrey. The crowd became unmanageable, and
Sergeant Slsttery sent Officer Anderson IN to the
car stables near Boundary street. TO tpIenhone for
assistance and Officer Slack soon followed him 10
Send for the patroi wagon. Word was sent to police
headquarters, and Maj. Dye ordered out the patrol
wagon, Detectives Cox and Carter. and TIE re-
serves from the second seventh and eighth pre-
cncts- Half an hour later the reserves arrived in
"Rag Town." but the colored people 'siid not scare
worth cent. said an officer who was there The
whole affair is said T. have started from the fact
that the officers had no warrant.
SUBSEQUENT ARRESTS
John Barnes, Mary Barnes and John Isaacs were
arrested on q charge OF assault and battery and
Harriet Isaacs was arrested on suspicion OF larceny
but was subsequently released by Sergeant Slat-
terry, there being no proof that it was she who had
stolen the clothing.
THE HEARING IN THE POLICE COURT TO-DAY.
In the Police Court to-day John Barnes. 1r Mary
Barnes. his sister, and John lsaacs were charged
with assaulting Officer Slack, who testified that
he had no warrant. and did not at any time put
anybody under arrest He wanted TO get the
woman to go to see Mr.. Grant for Identification,
Barnes struck him with stick before he shot him
IsaacS and JnO Barnes, JE, only caught hold OF
him and did not hit him.
did you have any warrant?" inquired the
Judge.
NO." answered the officer Witness said he was
Informed that the articles stolen were worth over
$40.
s'How do you know the value?n INQUIRED Mr..
Darlington, who appeared for the defense
The judge said that when an officer is informed
OF felony having been committed he has a right
TO arrest the person on information and belief and
even II the Information be wrong. In a case OF
misdemeanOr 1t Is different; an officer must see the
0nenSe committed or have A warrant.
Sergeant Siattery corrobOrated Officer Slacks
testimony as TO the assault
Special Officer Anderson testified that he saw
one OF the women strike the officer with Dor tie
when he pulled him out OF the house. and after the
omcer was struck he Shot old man Barnes who
was standing In his own house at the time.
Mr.. &: ". Grant, the man who lost the clothing,
the value at $40 TO $50 Did not order the OF
anybody.
The DEFENDANTS testified that Slack had nut
Susan Barnes under arrest, when her son spoke up
bottle which struck the officer fell from q shelf,
and that the oicer was not struck before the shot
was fred
REMARKS OF THE JUDGE
The Judge, in passing upon the case, warned the
Officers to be careful before arresting innocent
parties. Citizens, he said, had rights but before
resorting to the use OF clubs should know what
these rights are The TWO women were discharged
and the two men released on their personal bonds
to appear one week from to-day. Officer Slack
says he will charge the-njured man and his wife
with assault and battery.