St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-12-03
HE BEGGED OFF.
A Scamp Insulted Lady. and an
Officer Refused to Act.

A Scamp Insulted a Lady, and an
Officer Refused to Act.
Can it be possible that the reform
administration encourages policemen in
insulting women on the streets. Mrs.
DR.. Lechere, of Minneapolis, fell vic
tim to Officer Smiths insults night be-
fore last. 1t is an unusual story. The
doctor is known to carry considerable
money at times, and in Minneapolis she
was recently robbed of several hundred
dollars and an amulet that she claims
had potent influence over people, and to
which she ascribeS her career of success
in her profession.
AS related she was grossly inSulted by
police officer in the presence of a
large crowd of people that had been at
tracted by the episode that led to the
vulgar assault by the officer. The doctor
was stopping at the Merchants hotel.
At 8 O'Clock she started from WaDaSha
street to return to the hotel. She turned
down Seventh street. but had not gone
far before she became aware that she
was pursued by two men. She
Immediately crossed over to Yerxa's
corner and the men came
up to her. She let them
pass and she crossed the street again.
Once more they crossed over and came
close to her, and she hurried across to
the corner occupied by Nicol at the cor
ner of Robert street. Here she deter
mined to learn what the men wanted.
On the opposite corner were several
men waiting to board a street car, and
she felt tOlerably safe from attack. One
of the men came up TO her and accosted
her i'll an lnSoient way, and she struck
him hard enough to send him off the
walk. He then applied vile epithets
until she called for assistance. Some
gentleman got Policeman Smith, and
the doctor asked to have the scOundrel
arrested, but instead the policeman
insulted the woman by intimating
that the vile names she had been called
by the ruffian were appropriate and
proper. She protested that she sought
the officer for protection, and the officer
threatened to arrest her. Finally the
gentlemen who mad been witness to the
outrage took the doctor to another 0ffl-
Ger and the ruffian was placed under
arrest. The latter policeman was gem
tlemanly and courteous, and he did not
hesitate to take the scamp i'll charge.
The latter at once began to cry and do
the pathetic act. He said he had wife
and children, and that he had meant no
harm, and the doctor relented, and, at
her request. the officer permitted the
man to go.
DR.. Lechere. however, could not for
give Officer Smith, and she did perfectly
right in filing complaint with Mayor
Wright yesterday. The only error she
committed was ln.letting the man that
had logged her steps down Seventh
Street.eScape just punishment.
But what did the mayor do?
"Fil have to hear the officers story,
madam" he said in his iciest tones. II
think there is some mistake about the
matter"
"Then calf officer and I'll con-
front him." replied DR.. Lechere.
No, madam: can't call him until
tomorrow. Good day." and the inter
view was at all end. Mrs. Lechere re-
turned to Minneapolis yesterday, but
she promises to return to the city to
prosecute the police officer unless he is
summary discharged from the force.