Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-08-12
A / NJ o ST A RIOT
Great Excitement Created on the Steamer
City Of Richmond.
Object to a Mans Inn
prisOnment and Release Him-A
Lawyer Held for Trial.

er City of Richmond last night while she
was making her way in the direction Of
this city. That there was not a serious riot
is not the fault of those who participated in
the trouble The difficulty originated in the
bar room, and started between the colored
man behind the bar and a customer named
Taylor. Like every other story, there are
two sides to this one, and both sides will
be fully heard if the case ever comes to
trial in court Of competent jurisdiction.
The man Taylor was put in the hold, but
he remained there only few minutes, for
a crowd, alleged to have been led by James
A. Taliaferro, the lawyer and real estate
man at SOB E street, were with the prisoner.
and at their earnest solicitation Taylor
kicked panel from door, so it is claimed.
and then he was rescued. AS already
stated, the affair started in the bar room.
when Taylor went in and bought beer.
There was some question about paying for
the beer raised by the bartender, and 1t Is
alleged that the colored man used insulting
language. This Taylor resented by using
force, and the bartender retorted by using
heavy beer mallet. Then the fight was on
and the deck hands and others assisted N
dropping Taylor out of sight, and it was
claimed that he fell through into the hold
with such force that he was severely Shak-
en- up
Others Join in the Fray.
Lawyer Taliaferro was there and wit
messed the affair, which in no manner
met with his approval. There were others
there and all seemed of the same opinion,
for there were cries of Hang him" and
Kill him" when Special Officer McCauley
was getting Taylor in the hold.
A speech was made by the young lawyer,
in which he called upon the passengers to
liberate Taylor. He denounced the action
of the steamboat men. and his hearers
sanctioned every word he said. While he
was thus engaged the prisoner was liber-
ated and even after that Taliaferro con-
tinued his speech.
When the boat reached Alexandria. which
is port of entry, no one was turned over
reached here, Taliaferro and Francis Page
We're placed under arrest and taken to the
fourth precinct station, on charge Of in
citing riot on the high seas
This morning Lawyer Taliaferro was
taken before United States Commissioner
c. s. Bundy and arraigned a warrant
charging in a general way the alleged Of
Tense mentioned. The warrant charged the
violation of no particular statute and when
the case was called the defendant asked
for continuance until he could prepare his
defense, but this application was denied.
the commissioner thinking he had no such
power in the matter.
Under the circumstances the defendant
was forced to have the case disposed Of in
some way or go to Jail. and SO he decided
TO waive an examination.
The Boat Captains story.
Capt. Posey and Special Waterman Nc
Cauley were present, and they told the
commissioner of the case as they under
stood it. When the trouble started Capt.
Posey was at dinner, and he went out to
quell the disturbance. Taliaferro, he said
made threats that he would Shoot and put
his hand behind him, as If he intended to
draw a pistol.
McCauley followed the captain, telling
briefly Of what happened.
Taliaferro then told his story, but not
under oath. When he saw McCauley and
others throw Taylor down the hold his in
dtgnation was excited, and he concluded
that the man had been unjustly treated
He admitted that he INDUCED in speech
making and told of the rescue of Taylor.
Commissioner Bundy held him in $500 Sc
curity for the action of the grand jury, and
John A. Butler became his surety.
After the case had been thus disposed of
Commissioner Bundy had some doubts about
his jurisdiction in the matter and made
a search of the statutes for a law to cover
the alleged offense but had not found any
when a Star reporter called on him, about
noon. He said that he sent word to the
district attorneys office for a representa-
tive of the government to be present at
the hearing, but no one responded, and SO
the hearing had to proceed without the
presence of prosecuting attorney. The
commissioner said that if he failed to find
law he would not send the papers to
court but would destroy them.
MIR. Colegrove's Statement.
I'VE have carried over 10000 people on
our steamer this season." said Mr.. Russell
Colegrove today, land have had occasion to
make only five arrests. This man made IN
unnecessary and unprovoked scene on the
boat. The person he was proposing to de-
Tend needed no defense; he was an employee
of the company, and as he was Gnruly We
put him in the coal hole to take care of
him. He makes no complaint of his treat
ment, and is at work today. 1 would like
to add that order will be maintained on
our steamer at all cost and ladies and
children will be fully protected"