The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-10-31
Who STRUCK Mr.. PATTERSON f?
Mayor Evans and the Police Com
missioners Settle That.

tIIISStOtt6IS ! 1dls
Full Report OF the Hearing in the Mayors
Court--The Mayor Suspcnds Browning,
Vest ana hshworth for Thirty Days and
Police commissioners Increase the Sus-
pension of Vest and Ashwortl, to Ninety
Lays.
The ease of the city versus Policemen
browning, Vest and Ashworth for as
sault OH Mr.. Samuel Patterson. came up
in the mayors court yesterday morning.
The court was crowded with an interest
cd audience.
j. y. Dupuy represented tho prosecu-
ton and r. L. Derr and Il. Lacy lIogo the
defense When the case was called. Of
iiccr Browning asked for time to confer
with his counsel, which was readily
granted. After short conference they
announced themselves ready for trial,
and the examination was begun.
The first witness called was Mr..
Samuel Patterson, the citizen against
whom the assault was made.
lIc stated that about 10 o'clock,
Wednesday morning, he went to tho
mayors Office with no special object in
view. He stepped into the door and was
ordered to stand back. He did az di-
rccted, when the officer repeated tho
order. lie cndcavored to do as directed,
but came against men behind him.
Il then said would go down the
steps, said Mr.. Patterson, ''when the
officer said he was running this thing,
and he wanted me to understand that.
lie caught hold of me, choked me and
three or four got on me. Officer Brown
ing choked me. tried to attract the
mayors attention, but could not do SO.
as they were choking me. They ierkcd
me into room and locked me up and
Chief of Police Morris released me at
once. tried TO get loose
Cross II did not attempt to
resist the officer when he ordered me
back. did not tell him l was not go
ing any whore. | said | was going to go
out of the room. When he said he was
running the thing here, | stopped to
listen and hc took hold of me-
Mr. Merryman was the EcXt witness
sworn and said: Il was in the courtroom
and heard Officer Browning tell him to
get back several times, and then noticed
several af them carrying him back. lie
obcyed when told to get back. saw
some one choke him, and one struck
him. think about four policemen had
hold of him. When he was truck they
had him off the ground lie was back
against the crowd when Mr. NcsC struck
! him.
Cross examined: 81 saw Mr.. Patter-
son when he came into the room Mr..
browning seemed to be keeping the
crowd hack. | was very near the
parties. Did not see Mr.. Patterson
strike or attempt To strike the officers.
They showed him back against the
crowd"
Mr. u. II. Parrish, sworn. said: 81
was there as witness, and standing
about six feet from the door saw Mr..
Patterson enter. Mr.. browning said
stand back. and Mr. Patterson backed
against the crowd behind him. He or
dercd him back again, when Mr.. Pat
.tcrson said Il am back as far as | can
get The policeman ordered him AGAR
and took hold Of him, and Mr.. Pattcr-
son asked them not To choke him. and
he would go out on the street. Brown
ing collarcd him, and several others
took hold and rushed him Enck. | s;Lw
some one striking at him. identity
Vest as the man. Mr. Patterson was;
hit with IL fist, and one hit him with a
billy. think. saw Mr. Patterson IL,
mcdiatcly afterwards with blood on l. is
face. He has always beer known as q.
quiet. pcaccablc man.
Mr.. Patterson. on being recalled.
said: Il don't think WAS hit with Il
billy"
Mr.. Parrish, cross-examincd, said:
The people were crowded together be-
hind us. browning spoke.at first in a
quiet way Mr. Patterson did not resist.
He said he was against the crowd and
could get no further. and wOuld go on
the street. browning did not give him
the chance to get out, but threw his
hand to his collar | saw several striking
at Mr.. Patterson; it seemed to me like
"A pack of wolves. Mr.. Patterson was
held too tight to strike"
The case rested here for the prosacu-
ton. The witnesses for the defensc
were then examined as follows:
Chief of Police NJ. G. Morris said !:
''.As soon as i saw the disturbance |
went as RAPIDLY as possible to THE
pantics. Officer Vest was loaking Mr..
Parrish in a cell and ordered him to
be released atonce. thought he could
answer any charge. know kim
Queer browsing testified: II took
my place at the door to keep tho crowd
from blocking the way between the
doors, as ordered. | don't know Mr..
fattenson. try to be courteous to
every one. spoke to Mr.. Patterson III
the door asked him to keep baek and
he did so the first time. / told Elm to
40 so again and he stood still. made
the request the third time and he said
he would go nowhere. | put my hand
against his breast aud showed him. lie
drew his fist and | threw nv weight