Morning journal and courier., 1893-06-28
INVESTIGATING cHARsKs.

The Police Commissioners WrestIs
With the Charges Against ID. III.
.LindsIey and Stewart-BeIlman Fra.
cas-The Latter Case Heard Behind
Closed Doors-Decfsion Reserved I'm
All Cases.
The meeting of the police commissioner
last evening was more than usually inter
esting a. the board had TO deal with charges
against oHicer Lindsley of station and
against Oficsrs Stewart and Bellman Of
station 8. The additional testimony In the
case of oficer Lindsley was heard In open
session, but the investigation into the
charges agsinst Stewart and Bellman was
made behind closed doors even the press,
contrary to the usual established custom,
being excluded
When the matter of the Stewart BellmAn
fracas came before the board 1t was ascer-
tanned that Stewart although present In
person was also represented by counsel,
Mr.. Webb of the firm of Alling & Webb.
The latter had secured 9 stenogrspher TO
take short notes of the testimony offered.
The presence of the stenographer and
counsel for one of the accused was imme.
diately objected to and the board voted to
exclude all persons not directly interested.
Commissioner Andrews said, In objeoting
to this mode of procedure, that he did not
think representatives of the press should
be excluded from the hearing as the public
were vitality interested in the matter at is
sue and the representatives of the press
should be admitted to the hearing.
Notwithstanding Commissioner Andrews
protest the board voted to 60 into execu-
tive session by q vote of to 2, and the
hearing proceeded. The frst Witnesses
were Officers Bellman and Stewart, who
testified substantially 90 has been already
reported. ofieer Stewart claims that no
blow was struck inside of the precinct
DR.. Gsynor testified a. to the extent of
Bellnan's injuries and testimony as to the
noise made by the fracas between the two
officers was given by II. z. Lawrence, I.
b. johnson and ]. b. Pardee, who were
aroused from sleep In consequence thereof
Sergeant Bergin testified substantially
that he heard the sounds of blows after
both officers had entered the precinct and
that he heard one officer call out to the
effect, Come help me, Sergeant, or shall
be killed"
Mrs. Bedell of Howard avenue testified
that she was awakened from sleep by the
frecas and upon going to the window saw
one man clubbing another TO such an IN
merciful extent that she called out, stStop
clubbing that man or you will kill him.
or words to that effect.
1t Was brought out by q witness named
Schelley that he had seen Stewart on his
beat at $40 O. m and heard tine sound of q
policeman's club on the pavement. He
turned around and saw Bellmsn poke ut
Stewart with his club.
The board finally at 12.05 q. m decided
to adjourn and postpone all further con-
sideration of the trouble until next Tues
day evening.
The case of Mrs Augustin Msrkle against
Officer Daniel 81. Lindsley Was the Hrst to
engross the attention of the board. Wit.
nessss were called to establish the slibi get
up by Officer Lindsey at the last meeting.
The first witness was Mr.. Hayward, q car
riage manufacturer on Fran kiln street. He
In support of the alibi set mp by Ohoer
Lindelsy, testified that the ofscer was at
HE place of business, &c claimed, on the
afternoon Of May "a.
A little nine year-old girl, q sister of
Mr.. Markle, testified substantially that
when she returned from school on May
"a, about 4 O'Clock. abe ssw Officer Linds
ley In Mrs. Msrkle's house. His coat was
on the bsd and he sat on the side of the
bed.
Patrick ]. Ward of 2ll Hamilton street
testified that he had seen Officer Lindsley
at Haywsrd's shop on the afternoon of
May "a.
Mrs. EmmA Lane, one Of the witnesses
for the prosecution, upon bsing recalled,
gave the startling information as proof
that she was sure IL was Officer Lindsley
that IL the commissioners would ask the
officer to bare his right forearm they would
find an anchor and oross on It In India ink.
She also denied that Mrs. Markle ever lived
with her at the corner of Orchard and
COTE street, but ssid 1t was her, Mrs.
Lanes, twia sister. She did not know
Mrs. Msrkle until the night CT her we'd
ding. This testimony WAS introduced to
refute that given by several Witnesses at
the last meeting of the board
Mrs. Markle, the complainant. on being
recalled, said che could Identify Linsley by
means of knife which he carried and
with which he had cut the carpet on the
afternoon of the Gath of May. She also
esid that there was on his arm In India ink
the initial d. z. L.
After hearing this testimony the board
voted to defer decision on the matter until
the next meeting.