The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-05-23
JOHNSON ACQUITTED.
The Council Justifies His Ac-
ton in the Trout Affair.


moval of Officer Alex Johnson, on the
ground of misconduct in office, in I'M
reasonably striking John Trout with
billy Wednesday night. w. NJ. Mont
gomery appeared for the prosecu tior,
VIM. Simpson appeared for johnson
The council chamber was crowded.
The first witness for the prosecution
was R. S. Stearnes. who testified prac-
tically the same as before Mayor
Younger the day before.
Cross-questioned, the witness said he
had been threatened once by Johnson
that if he did not drive slower on the
streets he (Johnson) would "pull him"
He said he had no malice against the
prisoner.
r. w. Oakley said he saw the arrest,
and johnson walking down tho street
with Trout. lie heard the officer say
1--WE told you three times to go homes"
at which the prisoner pulled back
little, when Johnson struck him on the
hands and arms with his billy.
j. w. Mcdonald also saw the affair.
He could not see the first tussel that
johnson and Trout had, but saw the
latter part of it, when johnson struck
some very heavy ticks over the prison
er's arms and one over his head. Thought
Trout had on his hat when struck on the
head. Trout was very drunk. He did
not see any resistance on the part of
Trout.
George Rudisill saw the officer and
the prisoner proceeding down the street.
When the officer made as if to cross the
street, then Trout pulled back, John
son hit him over the arm and he stag
gcrcd down to the ground.
Johnson gave him his hand and pulled
him up. They proceeded little fur
ther and the prisoner pulled back
again, at which johnson hit him over
the arms twice and also on the head one
blow which cracked like pistol, wh ere
upon Trout dropped like dish rag.
He did not hear johnson call for assis-
lance.
c. d. DENT and T. G.. Maury, A. b.
Collins, A. B. Beckwith. George Did
die. Frank Carper, AIR. Mendenhall, j.
r. Elliott and Samuel Parish testified
in behalf of Trout. The last witness
heard johnson say to Deputy Sheriff
Weber after Trout had fallen after the
blow on his head, "Put the twisters on
him and pull him up
he first witness for the defense was
Is. S. Barnett. He said he saw Johnson
and Trout going down the street. The
prisoner pulled back and johnson
struck him on the hands an d arms, when
the prisoner seemed to stumble and fall
he helped him TO get up and after going
little farther to the billiard & Per-
singer corner he (Barnett) heard blows
and when he turned to look Trout
seemed to be falling. He thought the
prisoners pulling back might be con-
strued rs resistance
Chief of Police Morris, of Roanoke,
was called. lie said Trout's reputation
was pretty bad
When asked his reputation for resist
ing officers, he said he had arrested him
number of times and he had never re-
sisted him. Trout had been twice tried
befor the mayor of Roanoke for resist
ing officers. In the first case he was
fined. In the second case he was fined
but the mayer aft,r REMIT ID the fine.
lie himself did not think Trout dan
gerous man. Some policemen thought
him dangerous and others did not. c.
l.. Maury did not know Trout's reputa-
ton as to resisting officers.
Officer Wolfe said he had arrested
Trout some half dozen times but had
never had any trouble.
Officer Schanck and Ex-policeman
Tillman, of Roanoke, both testified that
they ala not consider Trout danger
GUS man.
Officer johnson made the same state
ment as he made before the mayor
Deputy Sheriff Weber stated that no
knife was found on johnson on search
ing him after his incarceration. He.
however, exhibited a knife which he
said he had heard was taken the next
day. tho morning of the trial, from
Trout's vest pocket, which he had not
searched on Wednesday night.
A letter was read from Col Thomas
Lewis, of Roanoke in which he said that
he deemed it his duty to inform the
council that Trout is dangerous
character.
Upon objection by Mr.. Montgomery to
this on grounds of its being an impeach-
ment of the defense's own witnesses.
Mayor Younger said he had written to
Mayor Evans, reqesting him to send
down two OF three policemen to testify
concerning Trout's character, in Justice
both to the public and the accused.
1t was in evidence that Trout was
dangerous character. After argument
the council held secret session and in
ten minutes returned with unanimous
verdict of acquittal
Washington Investment Company.
A charter was filed in the clerks of.
fee yesterday Incorporating the Wash
ington Investment Company. The cap
ital stock is placed at $50, 900 with tho
privilege to increase the sane to $780,
600. The following is list of tho Of
f1cers and directors for the first wear:
John d. Langhorne, president, Wash
N