Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-05-22
New York Coffop
A POLICEMAN's Glib.
ofhcer Hasan Charged With Assault.
ing jackson Mt the Coxey Parade

ing jackson ut the Coxey par,d.
The case of Policeman Michael HaRan of
the mounted squad of the fftb precInc,
cf arged with having used his club ON the
head Of a colored man named Armstead
jackson at the Capitol during the Coxey
excitement as heretofore published in The
Star, was called for trial IN the Police
Court this morning
Congressman Springer. who has taken SO
ruch interest in the case was present an
court and he was permitted to remain IN
court when the other witnesses were ex-
cluded.
Lawyer Sillers represented the defendant
and plead not guilty. Mr.. Mullowny prose
cuted the case.
The prosecuting witness. with a scar on
his head was first called to the stand. He
said he was at the Capitol 20 see the Coxey
crowd, when the policemen on horseback
came along. and Hsgan's horse knocked
him down.
The officer" said jackson. came along
and shouted, Get back here. you black
-"
he pleaded with the officer not to XIII him.
But" added witness, ''he appeared like he
was going to kill me anyhow" Witness
said that the cut in his head was sewed up
by doctor
On cross-examination witness said he was
not a drinking man. He had been arrested
once for carrying a pistol and once for
fighting. Witness said he keeps a COOK
shop in South Washington. and is mar
ried
How many times did this officer strike
your asked the court.
He struck me twice"
Witness denied that he attempted 20 pull
an officer from his horse.
MIR. knights Evidence.
Mr. Knight testified that he saw an officer
strike the colored man. He could not iden-
tify the officer because the latter had his
back toward witness. The affair happened
on the east side OF the roadway leading 10
the east OF the Capitol from street
south, near the coping. Witness said there
was a large crowd there at the time and
several mounted officers were near the scene
Of the alleged assault.
Witness said the crowd was endeavoring
TO press toward the Capitol building al IN,
time. He did not see jackson put his hand
on an officers horse.
What Congressman Springer Saw.
Congressman Springer was next called
He went out on the portico on the day in
question TO view the crowd Of Coxeyites and
curious spectators. The army he said. had
reached street and the mounted police had
formed line in the grounds. The crowd
seemed determined 10 pass the line and the
police tried TO keep them back. Witness
said he saw colored man who seemed de-
man hit him. He could not identify the off,
Ger. When questioned by the court witness
said there seemed TO be pretty lively con-
test there between the officers and the per-
sons who were attempting to cross the line
On cross-examination. witness said that
he heard some noise there and he thought
the officers were trying to keep back the
crowd and prevent trouble.
Rev. DIR. Payne's Story.
Rev. DR.. Payne. colored, told OF the af-
fair as he saw II. and described the move
ments OF the officer as a terrible charge.
and said he saw the club used
Ibid you see this officer strike him 80 Ask
ed the court.
Yes, SIR responded the reverend wit
ness, "and he seemed to be gritting his
teeth every time his club came down"
Witness admitted that he was trying 70
get 10 the Capitol steps at the time Of the
trouble. one OF the officers horses struck
against witness. He heard no order from
the police TO step back. but he had 10
run on the grass for protection.
A. H. Sulser also gave evidence. He could
not Identity the defendant and said that
Jackson had pointed out an officer other
than the defendant as the man who struck
him.
Witnesses for the Defense
After recess counsel for the defendant
called several witnesses, who told of the
large crowd Of persons at the Capitol. ana
the crowd was disorderly the witnesses said
that there was a great amount Of running
backward and forward.
Ex-Policeman Howell was one Of these
witnesses. He did not see the alleged as
sault committed. He said that so far as he
could tell the crowd seemed willing and
anxious TO cheer the Coxey crowd and CON
denim the police.
Policeman Kenny described the trouble
the police had keeping back the crowd ana
ND
CONey sympat hizers.
Policeman Auldridge testified that he saw
the colored man jackson struck. He did
not pay much attention to the affair but
he was certain the defendant did not in
fict the blow Witness took hold of Jones
about that time, and started in the direc-
ton OF where Hagan was standing
DO you say positively that Hagsn d,d
not strike the man. Mr.. Mullowr,y asked
Il am positive Hagan did not strike him
How far was HaEan from jackson when
you saw the blow inficted?' -e''
jrdge."
Policeman Mari gave evidence concerning
Jackson. The latter. he said, caught hold
OF witness horses reins. and witness told
him to step back. Jackson's reply was
oh; h; I've got as much right here as
Witness had to strike at HIM TO make
him let go the reins He did not see ON
Ger Hagan strike Jackson
The Defendants Statement.
Policeman Hagan, who has been a MEM
Der Of the force twelve years. denied thar
he struck Jackson. At the time Jack,on
was assaulted, he said. he was pursuing a
man who was arrested that day
Did you strike anyone that day?' asked
counsel.
mo. sir" he replied II didn't even strike
the man I arrested"
Defendant said he had considerable trou
bic that day with the crowd. He was ria.
ing a gray horse that day.
Complainant Jackson was recalled and
questioned by the court
Judge Miller commented on the evidence
In the case and spoke OF the difficulty IN
Identifying a person during such an ex
element. The evidence certainly makes I,
extremely doubtful as to who struck the
blow.
And suppose he did hit him." said the
judge, what of ft?''
The judge then told Of the duty of the
police to preserve order and prevent trouble
at the Capitol, and refIred to the evidence
of Congressman Springer. who said lack
son was trying 70 break through tho lines
Had the policemen permitted the crowd 70
take possession and a riot had followed
they would have been censured.
Ii was the highest duty of the officers the
court said to separate the crowd on sucb an
occasion and II an officer hit man IN The
performance of this fufV aud had ~, -