Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-05
M0RE1CHARGES MADE.
Braun Says He Was Attacked by an
Allegheny Officer.
AFRAID THAT HE WILL BE KILLED.
Chairman Renricks Claims That He Has
More Information.
A WELL-KN0WN CITIZEN TO TESTIFY

Charges Of fraud and crookedness in
Allegheny affairs are made with
daily regularity, IT published in
book form they would take up about
as much space and be as sensational
as whole library of yellow-backed litera-
ture. The latest allegation made is that a
city officer attacked Detective Braun and
knocked three of his front teeth out in
order to intimidate him. Braun further
claims that he is afraid to 60 within Allie
gheny's city line for fear he will be arrested
on false charge, or worse still, be made a
fit subject for coffin.
Mr.. Braun lives on Webster avenue,
Pittsburg. He was formerly detective in
Allegheny, and has made affidavits charg-
ing Mayor Wyman and Chief Murphy with
accepting bribes. He claims to have more
information of a startling nature, to which
he will testify if the people back of the in
vestigatlon promise to protect him.
When asked about Braun's allegations
yesterday, Chairman Henricks, of the sub
Auditing Committee, said he knew nothing
about them except what Mr.. Braun had told
him. 81 heard of fight between Braun
and city fireman." continued Mr.. Hen
ricks, "but 1 would not charge that the
present investigation had anything to do
with it. Braun claims he is afraid to go to
Allegheny, but do not think he will hold
back any information on that account.
Arrested without Cause.
ttHe was arrested recently and says there
was no cause for it, but would not be will
ling to make positive statement On my
own account as to whether the officers were
or were not acting with malice Braun will
be a very important witness He says
threats have been made against him and
seems to think they may be carried out. I
want it understood, however, that I am
am not responsible for its truthfulness.
'What will be the nature of the develop
ments next Friday?" MIR. Henricks was
asked.
'It would not be good policy to speak
about it until the time comes" was the
answer. 81 can promise you, however, that
it will be startling. 1t will not only prove
the charges that have already been made
against Wyman and Murphy, but will show
that graver crimes have been committed.
In one case we have discovered by the
docket that a man was arrested
for robbery and was afterward released on
straw bail. He was arrested early in Oc-
tober, 1886, and his case was continued for a
month and when it was finally brought
before the Mayor the man was discharged
on 81 900 bail, which, of course, was never
forfeited to the city. There are plenty of
similar cases that will make it pretty hot
for Wyman and Murphy.
Rose Lacey's Story.
''Do you know whether it is true, as re-
ported, that Chief Murphy has an affidavit
from Rose Lacey, stating that she did not
make tie affidavit which charges Murphy
with asking her for 500 to get bail for her?''
81 do not think it is true" replied Mr..
Henricks. 'I know Rose Lacey's signature,
and the one that is made on the affidavit
that has been published is hers. 1 have
also good evidence that the charge she made
is correct. Before she was arrested she
purchased piano from me, and day or so
after she was released one of the payments
became due and she came to
me and asked for more time.
She said she had been compelled to give
Murphy S1OO, and that she hadn't any
money. She would have no object in max
ing false charge at that time, so 1 think it
was correct.
'eWith regard to the claim of Wyman and
Murphy that we are producing evidence
only from persons whose characters do not
give the affidavits any weight, 1 have to say
that we are after the truth and would have
no object in getting false statements.
When the evidence is given in such a way,
however, that it has the appearance of
truth fulness on the face of it, our duty is to
report it to the Auditing Committee.
Better Proof in Store.
sWith regard to the charge that Wyman
and Murphy received money to allow
wheel of fortune to be run, we have besides
the affidavit of the man who paid the bribe,
the promise of another who is one of the
best known citizens of Allegheny, that he
will testify in court to having seen the
money paid. The man does not want his
name to appear in the papers with an
affidavit, but he is willing to appear as
Witness"
"Then Wyman and Murphy will be tried
in court?"
''They certainly will," responded Mr.
Henricks. Councils, think, has only the
power to impeach, and criminal proceedings
will probably be brought by the Reform As
ISOLATION"
When asked about the statement of Braun,
that he is afraid to go to Allegheny, both
Mayor Wyman and Chief Murphy denied |
that they had ever thought of doing harm
TO any person who had'made charges against |
hem They reiterated the statement that |
Braun's affidavit was false, but said the |
testimony of such man was not of enough |
Importance to receive consideration.
The Officer Landed Him.