The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-04-12
'hANY OFFICERS DROPPED.
Chief Rebman and Two Detectives
Decapitated.
PATR0LMEN ALSO. VICTIMS.
The Old Turnkey Forced to Bid His
Fellow Officers Good Bye. A Five
Hours Whirring of the Big
Buzz-Saw. The Force
Slightly Disfgured.

capitated the Chief, two detectives,
two pstrolmen and the Oldest man GU
tue force. in point of service, Turnkey
VIM. Crosby, who has stood the storms
and tempests of many administrations.
In ali of the business transacted Com
missioners Nerdier and Bolton voted
together, but in the dismissal OF the
Chief they did not have the vote of the
Mayor. who, however, as the clerk
afterwards told the reporters, informed
the Commissioners that he believed
they acted coDscientiouSly in voting
for Chief Rebmans dismissal.
1t was a little nfter 4:30 o'clock when
the Mayor arrived and entered the
private room, where he found the other
two Commissioners, aud then began
the secret session, even the clerk being
barred out.
The first person to enter the room
was the recently appointed Detective
Richardson, who remained few min
utes, came ont into the ante room,
pulled from his pocket book about
n foot long, lotted down something
and retired.
Then Commissioner Bolton cnme ont
and told The ViRG,NlAN reporter that
there would probably be nothing to
give out to the press. but to return at
G:30 o'clock and the clerk might be
able to give him the business trans
acted.
81 think" said the Commissioner,
"that the future meetings will be open
to the press. | want to see everything
wide open" Then the Commissioner
re.entered the private room.
Officer Curles, who always stands ut
the inner door to keep out the med
ding reporters, seeing that TIE YlR.
GILMAN man did not accept the modest
1nvitatio< to retire, busted himself in
kindling fire and then settled himself
IN a convenient chair and awaited de.
velopments.
A moment later Officer Hoover was
sent for and was closeted with the
Board few minutes.
While the Board was discussing
communication which appeared in IL
morning paper n few days ago con.
corning the power of the Mayor, there
came u heavy rap on the outer door
and when Officer Curles opened it
Chief Rebmau handed III letter with
the remark: Here's an important
letter for the Mayor"
The officer took 1t, carried it to the
secret room and q moment later re.
turned to the ante room.
Then the board resumed its confer
ence, the clerk AT this time having been
called in. The talking at times, as
heard through the heavy door. seemed
to be animated. 1t was evident that
the case of Chief kebman was under
discussion. Comm issloner Bottoms
voice was seldom heard, the bulk of the
conversation being between Commits
sloner Ferdler and the Mayor, the
clerk also being heard at intervals.
Again the door opened and the clerl,
emerged. his time he went over to
his desk in the ante room, and securing
. copy of the charges against Chief
Rebman. returned to the meeting room
From then to the hour of adjournment
the discussion was conducted III voices
much louder than previously, and it
was $3.50 o'clock before the door was
opened and The VIRGINIAN man told he
could enter. The board had then nd
1ourned, Dut this is a summary of the
business given out for publication:
The charges by MIR. w. n. Waller
against Capt. King and Substitute
Officer A. A. Woodhouse were dis
missed, the board disrating officer
Woodhouse. who was the first sub
stitute in line for promotion.
The charges against Chief Rebman
were taken up, aud he was found
guilty, the Mayor voting no. He was
then dismissed from the force.
The kulfe, in Its next iall, caught
nnder II the head of Detective John
u. James, and the detectives official
life went out.
Detective Snowden was the next
victim, but succumbed to the blow,
and his head also dropped in the
basket.
Turnkey Wm. Crosby, known as
'the old turnkey" was also dropped
from the force.
Officer T.. L. Williams was the last of
the old mel to suffer decapitation, and
as the knife still held its Keen edge OF.
hcer Hoover's neck was placed under
the blade. 1t was charged that Officer
Hoover had made false representation
10 the Board concerning bis height,
and his head dropped.
q. l.. Hancock, Thomas Brown, NJ
M. Freeman and James Guy were made
regular officers, the last three being
detailed for duty in Atlantic City
Ward
The following assignments were then
made: Capt. King. acting chief; Capt.
Laid, acting first assistant chief; Ser.
Reant Cuthriell, acting second assistant
chief; Second Sergeant Robinson. act.
ing first sergeant; Third Sergeant
hirchmier. acting second sergeant; Of
hcer Lafayette Taylor, acting third
sergeant; Officer Griffin, acting turn.
Key, vice Crosby, dismissed.