Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1893-03-17
LOOKS BADFOR WEBB
PatoIman Spring Told Him Of
the Pre- Fight
RIGHT IN FRONT OF The HALL
While the Fight IL Relieved 20 Have
Bc~n In E.roxre~s--His Inexcusabie
Impudrncc and Negiect.


duty u Sergeant Webb. the police de-
rartment Of Grand Rapids has been
brought into public contempt and made
a target for ridicule In all the news
papers Of the country.
The disgraceful prize fight which took
place in this city Tuesday night Was IN
progress while Sergeant Webb stood
within fifty yards Of the building.
At 1o:l0 o'clock patrolman Spring.
who has been in the service two years
and v ho Was detailed 20 investigate the
rumor Of the fight. met Sergeant Webb
near the haymarket on canal street.
"Hclio. patrolmsn. what is ony' were
the words with which he greeted tho
pafrolman. The south windows OF tho
athletic club rooms were then visible,
through which faint light strcamed
out into the darkness.
a prize fight" responded the patrol
man. Lieutenant Hurley just told me
there was likely to be a fight in the hay
market and sent me down 10 investi-
gate"
20, p'shaw; there Is nothing in IL; it's
fake. They wouldn't dare tight right
under our noses;" and at that the SER
geant passed along.
At that very moment the prize fight
was in full blast, and had Sergeant
Webb visited the club, not fifty yards
away. as il was his duty to do. be would
have saved the police department from
the undeserved disgrace il now suffers.
But this is not the only evidence OF
his neglect.
The Report Received.
Early in the evening Patrolman How
ell rang up the police department and
informed Lieutenant Hurley he had just
received tip on a prize fight to be
fought in the haymarket. The force
was broken up in the regular detail, so
that men could be sent To patrol the
residence portion in which several bur
glaries have lately been committed.
Patrolman Spring. who had been de-
tailed to drive the little patrol wagon.
was the only man in the station. He is
trusted officer. well acquainted with
the city, and was Immediately sent out
to investigate. He met Sergeant Webb
at the haymarket, as above set
forth. On his return Ne met the detec-
tives on their way to the haymarket, TO
whom he impaired what Information he
had received. repeating his talk with
Webb. The detectives then repaired 10
the residence portion 10 assist in the e.
fort 10 detect the burglars whose depre-
dations had grown TO be so numerous
In the meantime Sergeant Webb re.
ported ut headquarters 1t was then
1910. lie inquired Of the lieutenant il
there was anything new. The lieuten.
ant replied there was moi. but FASTENED
to correct himself, saying: There is a
prize fight on
Yes. saw Patrolman Spring down al
the haymarket; but told him it was q
fake" Sergeant Webb replied.
why didn't you turn in and help look
it up." inquired Hurley.
Il am not looking up prize fights 10.
night" was his impudent reply.
Webb then left the station.
In few minutes the detectives re
ported in. one Of them saying he had
just passed the haymarkct and all was
dark around there. At that the rumoI
was treated as IA fake" and no further
investigation was deemed necessary.
Webb Hears Of the Fight.
Later Sergeant Webb returned 10 the
station and reported of duty lie left
for home at | o'clock On his way homo
il III reported that he learned the partic
ulars III the fight. and. in company with
another person. started for the home Of
the injured boy. Broom. This was be
fore o'clock He had ample time il
which 10 notify police headquarters o.
his discovery. but he did not DO SO. HAD
such notification been given. Taylor and
the majority OF the persons present al
the fight would have been arrested and
put in iail before daylight.
Instead Of notifying headquarters anc
bringing the two men whom he arrested
10 the station AZ once as he ought q
have done. he neglected to report until 4
o'clock. nearly three hours afterward.
Sergeant Webbs motives in neglect
ing his duty arc best known 10 himself
The result has been most humlliating q
every member az the force. and TO the
officers. and to the citizens 81 this city
He has brought down on them fercs
storm Of ridicule, 10 which they musi
submit until the police commission in
yestigates and takes such action "a i
may deem wise.
THE HERALn publishes the foregoing
facts to exculpate the department from
blame. II is advised ~ other facts il
connection with Scrgean. Webb,
doings. which are reserved for the pres
ent and until tho police commission act
on the present case. II hall said ~ hin
can be proved 10 he true. he ought To h
eafhiered without moments delay.