Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1892-08-04
A POLlCEMAN'S ERROR.

He Arrests II Man i'm a Woman's Wrap
per on General Principles.
A comedy of errors, in which Police
Officer Smith, of the Twenty eighth dis
trict, and an unknown man clad IN a
woman's wrapper took the leading
parts, afforded much amusement for
those who happened to be in the
vicinity of Twelfth and Norris streets
shortly before noon on Wednesday, says
the Philadelphia Record.
The trouble grew out of the stealing
of bicycle valued at $3.50 from K. ii.
Smith, of 1888 North Fifteenth
Street, on Saturday last. Mr.. Smith
had left his wheel standing on Broad
Street near Columbia Avenue. When
he returned it was gone.
He notified the police. On Monday
the stolen bicycle was traced to board
ing house at Twelfth and Norris
streets, where it was found and ide nti-
fed by the owner, although it had been
recently painted over. The theft could
not be fixed upon any of the boarders
of the house, but MIR. Smith swore out
warrant for the man who had painted
the wheel, although his identity was
unknown to him, and armed with that
document Special Sam.er kept Il close
watch over the suspected house.
There are three exits from the house,
and on Wednesday Samler called to his
assistance two brother officers, one Of
whom was Policeman Thomas Smith.
Shortly before noon the latter, while
standing on the back porch of the
boarding house, was hailed by one of
his companions, who shouted that q
man was trying to escape from the
back window to the corresponding win
dow OF the adjoining house.
Smith Immediately climbed up a
grape arbor, entered the open window,
and seeing no one there crossed over to
2OO3 North Twelfth Street, and easily
gained admission to the house.
Proceeding down the stairs he was
startled to find man on the floor be-
low dressed in a WOman's house wrap
per, apparently busily engaged in put
ting down carpets. The officer, natur-
ally supposing that the man was the one
he was after, and that he had donned
the dress rs disguise, laid his hand
upon his arm and said: 81 want you !"
His prisoner offered no resistance at
first, believing that his friends in the
house were playing joke. When he
was hustled unceremoniously into the
street the truth began to dawn upon
him and he strenuously resisted. In
his hasty flight through the hall he
managed to secure 8 black derby hat
from the hat-rack.
The sight of man in woman's
clothes, capped off with q very mascu-
line form of headgear, occasloned
much mirth among people on the
street. The prisoner endeavored to
explain matters to his captor, but the
latter was firmly convinced that he had
found the right man. The patrol
wagon was called, and the prisoner was
hurried along through the streets to the
station at Twentieth and Berk streets
followed by mirthful crowd.
He was Gvld with rage when he ar
rived at the station and Indignantly de-
manded his release of the house SER
geant. To the latter he said that he
had called at the house 2003 North
call upon his friend, Miss Alkaline Phil
lips. Miss Phillips asked him to assist
her in putting down carpets. He stat
ed that he would be glad to do so, but
was afraid of running his clothing,
whereupon she offered to give him a
wrapper to wear. He accepted, donned
the wrapper and was busilv engaged
when the officer made his inopportune
appearance. The house sergeant i'm
mediately dispatched al officer for Miss
Phillips and the prisoners clothes.
When the lady of the house appeared
she, too. was very indignant and zorro b.
grated the statement made by the pris-
oner. The latter, who refused to give
his name, was promptly discharged by
Lieut.. Hallawell. He will now sue
the officer for false arrest. Lieut..
Hallowell said Yesterday: 81 am not at
,l,x,,,lvo ha IF tho m
of the earnest but misguided officer
until the matter comes up in court,
which it certainly will. l can assure
you, the officers in the case will be duly
punished" Meanwhile, the real thief
has not been caught.
The Rights of Children.