Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-04-26
THETURNER INQUIRY
SEVERAL MORE WITNESSES EXAM
lNeo BY THE SUBCOMMITTEE.
Testimony Of Nfessrs. Atkinson and Fsrri-
ter Damaging to tho Park
Keeper-Sbnrp words.


Committee on Grounds and Buildings
making an investigation OF the conduct OF
Dir. Daniel J. Turner. Keeper of Candles
Hill Park. resumed It's work in the ONCE
of the City Engineer at o'clock yesterday
afternoon. As soon as the committee was
called TO order Mr.. II. A. Atkinson, Jr.,
presented the Following communication:
IL dosire, IN the first place. 10 correct the iul-
preston made by The report OF the proceedings
published IN tho DISPATCH this morning, nom
which II might bc inferred that was The fRrty
engaged IN the affair at che Church OF the sa-
cred Heart. | know nothing OF the matter. did
not witness it. and know nothing OF the anonY-
nous communication.
"For reasons known 70 tho committee, per-
sonal 10 myself, 10 would be Improper for me 70
appear "a a witness. except 10 say tnat on tho
night 10 question Turner was not drunk.
At this iuucture Mr. Turpin stated on
behalf of the commitree that there was no
communication before 10. anonymous or
otherwise.
YOUNG ATKINSON rRsrIFIEs.
Mr.. w. ID. Atkinson. the young man who
had the unpleasantuess with Mr.. Turner
at the Sacred Heart church, was the iirst
witness to testify. lie stated that he had
seen rock. k.battles occur on the park aud
had observed the park-keepef cut and eat
watermelOns on the park benches and
leave the rinds there over night. He said
he had seen bows throwing rocks at the
trains passing there. Inc witness re-
marked that he had never seen any hug
ging on the PARK.
Continuing his evidence. Mr.. Atkinson
stated that on the evening that the Gov
ern0rs took q drive around Gamble's-lilll
Park he took young lady TO Sacred Heart
church. While passing through Monroe
Park he saw Mr.. Turner and gentleman,
whose name he did not care To mention,
gong toward the church. Arriving az the
house Of worship, he finally succeeded IN
securing a seat for his lady friend,
and was standing IN the vestibuie when
Mr. Turner and his companion came up.
The witness met them at the first step aud
spoke to the friend with Mr.. Turner. Mr..
Turner interrupted and the witness told
the accused that he had nothing 10 say 10
hun. The Park-keeper walked away, but
returned and SAID that he wanted TO take
his friend home. SIr. Atkinson told
Mr.. Turner that he wished 10 have
nothing TO say 10 him, and Mr.
Turner replied. You need not put on so
many airs about it," and moved 10 the
other side Of the yestibule. The witness
and his friend went up % the entrance TO
the church, the Park Keeper followed
them and SAID something 10 Mr.. Atkinson.
10 which no attention was pad. Mr..
Turner then slapped the witness on tho
shoulder and called his name. Mr.. AtkIn-
son told the accused that he did not care
for him 10 be- SO familiar. The witness
then moved over 10 the left. t.hand side
door. Alr. Turner followed and, curslng,
SAID that he could not be TOO familiar with
witness.
STRUCK HIM WITH his PARAsoI.
Continuing, Mr.. Atkinson said he told
t. - ba m tha sfrapf
his park, or anywhere but in that church,
he would do his best to make him unsay
those words. Tho Park-keeper replied
that he would say them anywhere-in the
church. also. The witness struck HIM
with his parasol. and the park-keeper
struck him with his fist. Mr.. Turner was
then taken out of the church. He after
ward beard that the accused was III tho
hands OK the police and Implorlng 10 get
of. Concluding his testimony. hlr. Atkln-
son stated that If ever he had seen an In
| ,Oxicated man MI. Turner was one upon
! that occasion.
TURNER GETS ANGRY.
Mr.. Morris Ferrter was again placed
upon the stand and stated that after the
| difficulty at the church he heard some
| one say something about having police
man present and that he remarked that
one was not necessary, as 1t was not eX-
! pected that such cattle as Mr.. Turner
would attend church. He said that he
/ did not hear an officer tell him not 20
use such language as he had used,
and he denied that he ever apollo
gized 10 Mr.. Turner for anything that
be Ferritter) had SAID 10 him about the
affair lie testified that the park-keeper
| found ont that ho was gong To get war
/ rant ont for him. and asked him not to do
/ 50. stating that IL would cause him 20 lose
/ his position. The witness SAID that MIR.
! Turner argued that he had large family
| and did not want to go into court IN con-
nection with the affair, saying tnat he
would get down on his knees TO HIM or 10
any member of his congregation 1t tho
warrant were not sworn out.
Park, or no park, / pronounce that
| d--n lie, cried Mr.. Turner. arising from
his chair
This caused some excitement, but order
/ was soon restored.
Mr. Turner afterwards apologized 10 the
committee and appeared to be satisfied
! with Mr. Fcrrlter's addenda.
Mr. Ferr.ter then sad that Mr.. Turner
made a proylsO that he would get on his
I knees. &C., If he had done anything
/ wrong.
! Several other witnesses were placed on
/ the stand and the proceedings throughout
( We're quite spicy.
The sub.committee adjourned without
/ taking acton. Another meeting will DO
/ held III day or two, when II Is probable
| that other testimony Will be heard.