The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-10-04
Sensational Evidence Against New York
Policemen Who We're in League with
Thieves and Robbed the Helpless.
MRS. URCHITTEL'S SAD STORY
ScOurged from Pillar to Post by
Officers and a Politician.
Her Children Taken Away Because She
Couldn't Pay Blood MOney-Dra-
matte Scene i'm the LexOw Court.


for the Parkhurst Society, opened to-day's
proceedings before tie Lexow investigating
committee by placing In evidence chattel
mortgage given by David Kroman to David
Kroman. The first David has already testi-
fed before the committee that he gave the
mortgage to raise money to pay the police
for protection.
Policeman Ambrose W. Hussey, formerly
a ward detective, was the first witness of
any interest Mrs. Urchittel. who some
time ago appeared before the committee,
had testified that an officer had walked her
around the streets all one night and then
took down her stockings to search for
money. The prosecution tried to show that
Hussey was the officer. Hussey testified
that a stool pigeon named Black had told
him that a policeman named Charles A.
Place was the man who took the money.
An affidavit from Black was read saying
he was present when Place demanded
money in the woman's store. The witness
said he had visited Place recently at his
station house and that he had denied TAX
ing the money. There had evidently been
some difficulty between the two officers.
officer Place took the stand and swore he
never saw the woman or took money from
her. His account of the recent interview
with Hussey differed materially. He said
he denied to Hussey that he knew the
woman and that Hussey then asked him
to help him out by swearing that the wom-
an was disreputable.
The woman then took the stand An in
terpreter translated her testimony First
was read lengthy affidavit by her stating
that what she had testified before the
committee, in September, was true. Her
story was a shameful one Her children
were torn from her by the policeman and
placed in an asylum She was scourged
from pillar to post by the police and by
Max Hochstein, an East-side politician,
who Is at present under Indictment for as
saulting a reporter. Hochstein, at first, un-
der the guse of friend, advised her to
pay the police and later insulted and
bounded her. AS the, woman. who bore a
respectable appearance told her story she
sobbed hystericany and, lifting her hand
to heaven, cried: my children, my chill
dren." using her own language Her chill
dren are now in an orphan asylum.
HUSSEY IDENTIFIED.
Senator Bradley was SO moved by the
story of apparent injustice that he instruct
ed Mr. Moss to secure the release of the
children. The woman had been looking
around the court room. Her eyes lighted
upon Hussey. She recognized the author of
her troubles in a moment and became in
tensely agitated. She pointed dramatically
at the officer. and half starting from the
witness chair, cried in English, of which
she speaks but little.
That's him! That's him.
For moment it seemed as if she would
before she became quiet, and she was con-
Quoted to a seat, from which she alter
nately sobbed and glared at Hussey.
Elias Mandel testified that in 1893 he kept
restaurant at No. 191 Delaney street.
Hussey came to him and demanded 800 for
protection for gambling. He was arrested
was subjected to much persecution.
officer Hussey was at this point called
upon to tell the committee If he had not
threatened to blow out the brains of Mar
berth Peffer detective employed by the
committee.
did you threaten to blow this mans
brains out?" Mr.. Goff asked. pointing to
Il did not only said he was not fit to
will you positively swear that you did
not threaten to put a bullet through him
as you were sitting in this court?"
THAT will do for the present" said Mr..
Goff, and the policeman stepped down.
had been m e sitting next to Stb the poiceman @ snd
PETER swore he heard Hussey say 'Tn
kill you and others gave similar evidence.
incurred the enmity of Hussey. Hussey ac
cused him in court to-day of being the
foul name, the policeman threatened to
blow his brains out. Hussey was again
called to the bar.
threatened to kill Pefferg' was asked.
II do" and then he added: Il was ex-
I'VE viii look further into this" said Mr.
THIEVES WITH A PULL"
Morris Masch, cloak manufacturer. tes-
titled that clothing was stolen from his
J store about Christmas last year. officers
Hussey and Shevey assisted in finding the
thief, but although they made arrests and
had strong case when 1t came up in the
Essex Market Court. Masch was not al
lowed to call his witnesses and the thieves
were discharged. Their pull had saved
| them from being sent to jail.
Mrs Annie Treyursch told significant
story. The woman supports her family by
selling newspapers at stand on the cor
| ner OF East Broadway and Rutgers street
| She has the permission of the owner Of
| the premises in front of which the stand
| is located. This morning policeman Lynch
asked the woman if she paid rent She an
an aad n ts so nst pay nen me 'se M
| arrest you. The woman not having the
| money declined to pay. Officer Lynch then
arrested her and she was arraigned to-
| day in the Essex Market Court and dis
| charged Policeman Lynch was present
and identified the officer who to-
| day demanded S from her.
This is remarkable case because 1t
| shows the police are still demanding blood
money" commented Mr.. Goff
JacoC Drummer testified that he paid
| ward detective Jacob Drummer, of the
| East Eighty-eighth-street station S. a
| month when he owned a saloon at No.
| 1913 Avenue b. The last payment was
! made May 10 last. He also paid Excise In
| spector Mat Murphy SO when the latter
| demanded IL.
| Adolph Forster told a tale which threw
some light the peculiar power welded
by the notorious Max Hochstein. Besides
| being brute and an intimidator of women
4 he appears in the role of collector OF
| tribute for the police. Forster testified
| that he paid $40 to him for protection for
| coffee house. The business was legiti-
| mate but Hochstein said he must pay up
or he would be in trouble.
/ Many other poor East-side merchants fol-
| lowed and told how the ward men had
! called and sent them TO Hochstein. who,
| under threats of persecution. collected the
last cent they had. He told one poor fel-
( low To "put his wife in hock' to raise
money Just what putting a wife In pawn