Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-09-15
OFFICER CONDRON'SCASE
THE TESTTMORY HEARD NY THE
POLICE COMMITTEE.

/
The Charges Trumped Up by n saioot
Keeper and Supported Only by His Pres
snt aud Former Bartenders and "PIivat,
observation-disclosures Reserved.
| From Morning Edtion.l
| The trial OF Thomas Condron, of the nigh
police force, who was suspended at the insti
CATION of William Clark, the saloonkeeper ot
West Main street, was held last night at the
mayors office, and the result, so far as the
evidence was concerned, showed up an at.
tempt at one Of the most fragrant outrages
that has ever been attempted against cour-
| ageous and efficient officer and against the
good OF the city OF Springfield.
Clark keeps a saloon on Main street just
west of Center. Besides the entrance on
Main street there Is u passage way In the rear
Of the building. Evidence was introduced
last night TO show that this side entrance is
| used after ten o'clock at night and on Sunday
by those who desire to get a drink. Two
colored men, one of whom is now employed
by Clark, and the other recent
employe, testified that they were hired
to clean up the saloon and also guard this
private entrance and give warning in case of
interference by the police. 1t is a notorious
fact that Clark has violated both the 10
o'clock and Sunday ordinances, and he has
pleaded guilty to the charges several times
and paid heavy fines. In each case Officer
Condron has been the srrestir 4 officer, and
Al
feeling toward him. On Sunday, Aug.
30, Officers Condron and Mills caught Clark
again violating the ordinance. He was
placed under arrest, and few days after
wards pleaded guilty in mayors court and
was fined $40 and costs.
The next day Sanitary Marshal Gelwicks
was down IN the west end of town, aud no.
ticing that Clarks gutter needed cleaning,
went in to notify MIN. The two walked out
to the pavement together, and meeting John
Funk, the three got into conver-
sation. In the course of this something
was said about Clark being "pulled.' This
was on Friday. Then and there Clark made
the boast that Condrou would not be on duty
on it. This was testified to by Marshal
Gelwicks last night.
1t was then learned that charges had been
preferred against Condron by Clark, charging
him with drinking, sleeping and riding
around town in buggy with woman, all
while be was on duty. To those who
knew OF Clark's arrest and conviction
it was easily seen that it was piece of petty
spite work OF Clark's against one OF the city's
best officers
The trial last night demonstrated this TACT
even more fully, and other evidence showed
that Clark had violated the ordinance great
many more times than he had been arrested
for. Clark had about fifteen witnesses but
not single one Of them testified to having
seen Condron drink on duty, except
two or three bartenders and one or two
colored porters, who are now, or have re-
Gently been in the employ OF Clark. One of
these testified to having seen him drink
whisky at the fair grounds during the G. A.
X. encampment while it is well-known
fact that no whisky was sold on the grounds
during that time. Michael O'Neill, Jr.,
well-known attorney, and counsel tor Officer
Condron, took the stand and testified
that two weeks ago yesterday he went
into Mart Clsrks saloon with VIM. Burns;
that Bill Clark was there, and that he heard
the latter say that he would have Condron of
the force and show him that he could not
treat him Clark in that manner, and that
he would make Condron suffer AS be had
made him suffer.
As to the other charges, not an iots of dam
aging evidence was introduced. City Solic-
itor Summers subnit,ed the case with
out argument, but Mr.. ONeill
made an able and convincing
argument for his client. Only two members
of the committee were present. Messrs. Prince
and Kidder. The committee will meet this
evening at six o'clock to go over the case and
prepare report to submit to council.