The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-03-12
THE OLD FORCE In CHARGE
Bigham's Police Commissioners Fail
to Obtain What They Demanded.
Captain Colbert, as the Superintendent They
Elected, Is Such Only in Name-So Is
Webster, Selected as the Fire Chief

Yesterday was about the most exciting
one that the Police Station has experienced
since the time the present Metropolitan sys-
tenn went into force in 1888. 1t was rumored
on Sunday night that the new police board
had decided to rent building in which to
establish temporary headquarters, and to
elect force at once, but it was strongly
denied by Sterling Holt, who declared that
no definite steps had at this time been de-
cided upon. The fact that the county
officials at Evansville had refused to allow
the new board for that city to qualify
caused some little curiosity as to what
would result in this city yesterday, but it
was all set aside when County Clerk Will
son administered the oath early in the
morning. John j. Cooper signed az Hollis
surety, Frank NJ. Dell for Mr.. Sufll-
van, and George s. CattersOn for his
father, and to be sure of their steps, the
newly-qualifed board secured Duncan a.
Ketcham to act as their attorneys. 1t was
evident, early in the day, that there was to
be scramble for control at the police
headquarters. and although the City COun-
Gil has been very distinct in its instructions
O the present officials, there was some
question as to whether force would be en-
ployed by the newly-appOinted patrolmen.
Mayor Denny remains firm in the position
he has taken heretofore in regard to the
matter. II have been asked whether l
would try cases in my court" he said, sin
which the arrests had been made by the
new patrOlmen. In answer | will say that
by virtue of my position am bound to try
any man, agaist whom sufficiently legal af-
tidavithas been filed to warrant the charges
ANY citizen can prefer charges against q
man, and if the affidavit is valid l cannot
refuse to try him. Bnt if see that lot of
cases are being brought before me simply
as test cases, and if they result from dual
police force that is sustainedf for any length
of time, shall then take legal advice as to
what my course of action shall be. Our
proposition is to carry it to the courts for
best thing they can do is to accept it. ALI
| they will have to do is to apply to Superin-
tendent Travis for the control of the police
| station, and at his refusal, which is in ac-
| cOrdance with the instructions given him,
| let the matter rest until the courts decide
| it,"
Although there. was no very great fear
| at the statiOn-house, yesterday that
farcs a% ns to m take IT by a1
| Travis decided to be ready in case of an
| emergency. and he detailed special force
of fifteen patrolmen as local guard: The
| doors were heavily barred on the inside,
and no one was admitted but members of
| the old force, city officers and reporters.
There isnO telling what they may do"
| SAID Travis. but thought IwOuId be fixed
for them. and am ready to meet force with
| force. Right or wrong. have been in
structed to defend the place, and shall do
| it to my utmost Nothing was done by
the new board however, until late in the
evening. AT half past Messrs. Holt. Cat
terson and Sullivan called at the st. station,
lowing paper to superintendent Travis:
To Albert Travis Superintendent of the Metropoli-
| tan Police Force. City of Indianapolis
| Sir-Thc undersigned commissioners of the
| Board of Metropolitan Police and Fire Depart
| ments of the City of Indianapolis respectfully
| inform you that they have received the GER
| tificates OF their election AS such, hsve given
| bond and taken the oath of office as required by
| law, and now demand of you admission to the
station house and the room occupied by the
Board of the Metropolitan Police force of the city
| of indianapolis for the purpose of organizing the
| board as required by law. 49, $500
STERLING r. HOLT,
Robert Il. CATTERsON,
| March IL, 1889. WM. a. SULLIVAN.
In a very few words superintendent
| Travis informed the commissioners that he
could not, in accordance with his orders
recognise their Official relations, and that
he could not do otherwise than re.
fuse their request There was some
considerable surprise Occasioned by the
recognition of Travis's position, on the part
of the new board in addressing him as the
superintendent of the present force, but
while 1T was in truth concession, it was
only attributed to the ignorance of the
trainers of the notice. 1t was evident that
this attempt would be followed up with
another, and as Captain Colbert is Super
intendent 1ravis's subordinate in handling
the night force there was some doubt Us to
what his course would be at rOll-call last
night. Should he consent to his recOgni
ton as captain on the old force it would
clash with his plan to get the superintend
ency out of the new regime, and, on the
other hand, a refusal to assist Travis in thu
rOll-call would destroy his present rank
AS the -patrolmen filed into theil
accustomed places, Colbert took his seat OF
the platform by the side of Travis ani
the roll call proceeded as usual. At its con
| clusion another cali was received from thu
newly-elected board, who brought second
written notice to superintendent Travis
with some modification in his title 1t raj
as follows:
ITO Albert Travis Superintendent of the Late Metre
politan Police Force of the City of indianapolis:
Sir-The undersigned, commissioners of tn,
| Board of Metropolitan Police and Fire Depart
ments of the city OF indianapolis, respectful.
| inform you that they have organized as the Boart
of the Metropolitan Police and Fire Department.
of the city of Indianapolis by electing Sterling
Holt president and Sansuel v. Perrott secre
tary, and they have selected Thomas Colbert su
| per1ntenQenJ OF the metropolitan ponce
| force of the city of IndianapO
lis, and as such board they do nov
| demand of you that you surrender to them, al
| such board, the custody and control of the pub
| lie property belonging to the city of Indianap
oils, including the StatiOn-hOuse, the city prison
| patrOl-wagOn, books, records and equipment
belonging to the police department of said city
| STERLING X. HOLT.
| ROBERT F. CATTERsON,
March IL, 1889. WILLIAM A. SULLIVAN.
| In addition to this document, Mr.. Perrot
read the names of the newly elected officer
on the new force, with a full list of tn
| patrolmen, all of whom were requested t.
be at Room 36, in the courthouse, thi
morning, at 10 o'clock. where they will b.
sworn In for duty. Thomas Colbert wa
named as superintendent; James +. Quigle,
and Timothy Splann, captains, and Andrew
Sauers and John Lowe, sergeants. The fol
lowing is the list of patrOlmen, fifty-nin
in all:
| JAS F. Wilson, Ed Buscher,
| Frank Schwab, n. Feiben,
! Frank Giblin, V. McMullen,
| AdOlph Asch, Martin Hyland,
| Nathan Ward, (colOred) Us. BEEN.
| John Long, Jas. X. Shea,
| ]. Kinney, j. Spears,
John Manning, +. Harris.
| John Kaehn, Carter Temple,
p Davis, David Richards,
q VIM HOefgan, Henry Pope,
Green Hagerman, John HOstetler,
Pat DOugherty, Henry Slate,
V...<4 ntsxlrl