Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-05-16
MUST BE CLEARED.
VERDICT OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS
REGARDING SEVENTH AND BROAD.
Board-Tbe Charges Dismissed
Good Record as nm Oficcr.

Officer W. G. Wilkinson was before the
Board of Police Commissioners yesterday
afternoon on the complaint Of Mr.. Joseph
i. Rohleder charging him with conduct
unbecoming policeman.
The specification was that while he (Roh-
leder) was standing on the corner OF
Seventh and Broad streets waiting for q
street-car Officer Wilkinson ordered him
of the sidewalk and used loud. abusive
language 20 him.
Mr.. Rohleder was the first witness ex-
amned, and his testimony was substantial;
ly that in his statement which appeared
in the DISPATCH Of Thursday, with the ad-
dition that ha said that Officer Wilkinson
remarked, No, one is allowed on That
corner, where ladies are insulted by idlerss
and lOafers, and he didn't think he wanted
to be classed with these men: also, that
the next time" he (WilkinsOn) would ar
rest witness without speaking. Mr.. Rob
leder emphasized his assertion that Mr.
Wilkinson said TO him and his friend that
he thought they were gentlemen, but found
he was mistaken.
QUESTIONED BIZ TIE OFFICER.
Mr.. Wilkinson asked the witness II he
wilkinson had ever seen HIM before the
evening in question, and witness replied he
had.
Mr.. wilkinson: Were you ever arrested
for disorderly conduct.
Witness: Yes.
Mr.. Wilkinson then asked the witness if
he had ever been arrested for fighting IN
the street. The witness replied that he
had and that he had been fined $3.50.
he SLAPPED MAN IN THE FACE.
The witness here explained that the
officer who arrested him said the next day
that he had been badly treated and it de-
veloped that ne was under the impression
that on one of the occasions of his arrest
Mr.. w. G. Wilkinson had made the arrest.
Mr.. Wilkinson soto UOce: " knew that
brother of pIIne would get me into trou-
BILE" then aloud: II never saw you in my
life before Tuesday evening to my know
ledge"
MR. wILKINsoN's TESTIMONY.
Mr.. Wilkinson testified that ne had or
ders TO keep the corner clear, and the men
were told If they did not they would be
put on a beat near the almshouse for pun
ishment. On tho occasion referred TO he
asked Mr.. Rohleder and Mr.. Jacob &c
move on, and explained to them that II
was necessary to speak 10 gentlemen also
in order TO get at the loafers and idlers;;
He asked them TO move q second time, and
Mr.. Rohleder said there had been too much
unnecessary talk about the corner. He
wilkinson said: II spoke TO you IS a
gentleman" Rohleder said he would see
him later, and he replied that he would not
be hard TO find.
Mr.. Jacobs recollection was that Officer
Wilkinson said he had spoken 90 them fol
| gentlemen, but found he was mistaken
He was incensed at the time at Mr. vii
kinson's language, but after he left thought
no more about II.
VERY POSITIVE.
At this iuncture q letter was read from
| Chief-of- Police Poe instructing Captain
Angle to enforce the order to keep the cor
| ners clear and put men there who had nc
| fear Of injuring their popularity.
! Captain Angle testified that Officer vii
| knson had been with him for about five
/ years and that he could always be depend
! ed upon 10 do his duty. II an order wa.
! given 10 Mr.. Wilkinson he could depend
/ on it that it would be executed. He hac
never before had complaint of his using
| insulting language to any one.
Mr.. Wilkinson asked: Wouldyou hest
/ tate to send me to execute an order where
! the most refined lady was involved Z"
Captain Angle :" ! would not"
Sergeant Cosby was equally emphatic il
| speaking OF Officer Wilkinson's flint
| record. Mr.. Wilkinson. he said, had {
positive manner that was natural Will
! him. and that might have been misunder
| stood.
NOT SUSTAINED.
! The board dismissed the charges as no
| sustained. and while expressing the opin
| ion that the order regarding Seventh anC
L. I'll l.