The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-08-06

Tho board OF police comm issioners
met yesterday afternoon to investigate
the charges preferred by Martha Taylor
against regular officer. The full
board was present and almost the entire
police force, which was represented by
Mossrs. Wright Il Hoge and Mr.. Lockett.
MIR. w. A. Glasgo" was also present,
representing the citizens, stating that
his position in the case was merely for
Investigate
Tho proceedings were somewhat
novel. There were no charges perfer-
red, and Chief Morris stated that tho
stigma rested on the force, and it was
Tor the police commissioners to find out
who was guilty of the crime charged.
Martha was brought out and testified
that an oifense had been committed by
an officer, as already related in THE
TIMES. In this she was very pcs tive
and str1ight forward. She desert bed
the man who had committed the crime
as tall and large with moustacho but
no beard and high forehead.
The officers retired and came in
slngly to give the woman a chance to
identify the man. They were searched
and their arms removed as they came
out OF the door to show the woman that
She need fear no danger. First camo
Officer Schancks. Not him, she said
Then Officers Tally. Austin, Rigncy and
Merrlman. Neither OF these were
guilty. Then came Officer Wolfe. "That
is the man." She said. Officer Wolfe
locked directly at the woman and did
not chDnun nntnr Fol
other officers, and each in turn were
vindicated
The woman was sharply questioned
She was positive Mr.. Wolfe was the man.
MT. Hoge, as an attorney for Mr..
Wolfe, referred -. Mayor Evans state
ment before the board and asked that it
be admitted.
MIR. Turner stated that Mayor Evans
had taken MIR. Wolfe before the woman
and she said he was not the officer who
came to her cell that night That state.
mcnt was accepted as evidence.
Martha admitted that She had failed
to recognize Wolfe as the man but had
not seem him with his hat off and not
heard his voice. She was positive after
seeing the officer without his hat on and
nearing him speak that no was the man.
William DAVIS, prisoner ewho occu-
pea cell in Az al Joining ROOM saw an
officer come in and look around, and
afterwards go INFO the room on the on
posite side Of tue hall. lie heard some
proposals made, and saw the light
turned out. lie thought he could identify
the man. lie was told to look around.
but he looked in vain. Officer Wolfe sat
at his elbow The witness did not look
at him till President Turner asked all
the officers to stand up when Wolfe arose
Immediately in front OF him. He said
that the man was not in the room, but
described him as largo man with dark
mouStache. He had heard the man an
swer to the name of Flick at roll call
Cornelius George, another prisoner
was brought out. He heard and seen
about the same as William Davis. He
too, thought he could identify the man.
The officers were again marched in one
at a time and George picked out Officer
Early. That officer easily established
the fact that he was not present. He
described the man as tall and large with
light moustache with 4 weeks growth
OF beard. Early has a dark moustache.
MIR. Martin, the station house keeper,
SAID he was on duty It the station the
night in question. When the officers
drove up the COWS he assisted them in
the place of Officer Wolfe, who was
feeling unwell. He was gone about
thrce.quartcrs OF an hour and had his
keys with him. He left Officer Wolfe
in charge, and he thought he had kew.
lWolfe admitted that he had kew
When he returned the Office was seated
in the adjoining room smoking cigar.
Witness went to the cells between that
time and daylight, but no complaint
was made 10 him. Officer Martin also
stated that Henry Coleman, who first
reported he case said it was not Wolfe
Coleman was not summoned as his word
Is considered Of no value as evidence.
Officer Wolfe gave strict account of
himself up to the time he was left in
charge 10y Officer Martin. He denied
going into the room when the woman
was locked in her cell, and declared that
the charge was false.
Mr.. Glasgow explained that as he was
there to get at the facts in the case, he
merely wished TO express an opinion
He was sure that foul act had been
committed by some one but did not
think there WAS enough evidence to
saddle it on to Officer Wolfe.
Messrs. Hoge, Lockett and Wright
defended the officer, after which the
commissioners took the case and decided
without retiring.
President Turner, OF the board,
thought Otfic 'rWolfe was INDICATED be-
You'd a shadow of doubt, his associates
concurfing.
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