Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-10-15
DETECTIVES DOG HIS STEPS.
The Rev. DR.. Potter Complains Oh
ALLEGED Persecution.
New York HeraldO

iNcW 7 DIN tlttHiAf
The Rev. DR.. Daniel e. Potter. Of the
Baptist tabernacle Tenth street ana DC
cond avenue, appeared in Essex Market
Police Court as complainant in the case
of John Traynor, a private detective io'
whom Magistrate Cornell has issued
summons.
DR.. Potter charged that Traynor was
one of several sleuths who have folio"eu
him increasingly for the last five months
and who hired room opposite the taue'-
nacle in order TO spy upon ms move
ments and ascertain the names anu
standing OF mis- visitors.
Traynor did not appear lie was rep,v
scented by j. ID. Semple. his lawyer, WHO
asked for particulars OF Irayhor d.,
legged offensive conduct. DR.. Potter SAID
he had not entered a restaurant in months
without being followed by Traynor or
his side Partner" Joseph klrton. VINO
not only watched him but took care 70
ascertain what he ate and particularly
what he drank.
MAGISTRATE Cornell said there had appa-
rently been no breach OF the peace.
Am / to wait until | have been knock
ed into the gutter" the clergyman asked.
Il have every reason 10 believe there
may be a serious breach Of the peace at
any moment
You can see that Mr. Semple is a
reputable attorney" said the Magistrate.
Il cannot see it," Or. Potter replied.
"You have issued a summons for Nilkin-
son. as well as TraynOr and klrton. VII
kinsOn Is the head Of the detective agen-y.
] went to his Office this morning, and
could not serve him, although l am Ger
tain he was in. Traynor | served in bed
at o'clock this morning
The Magistrate declined 10 issue a var
rant for Traynor, and the proceedings
came to an end.
DR.. Potter, it vii! be remembered,
caused the arrest Of George Bender, in the
Baptist tabernacle in March last. for at
tempted burglary. charging that he was
trying 10 secure papers Of value in suit
for $1,000 which DR.. Potter began In the
Supreme Court In December last against
| a millionaire. Bender was held In bail
of $500. which he forfeited after he was
indicted by the grand jury. last June.
Or. Potter said that the detectives whose
arrest he had been trying for weeks 10
effect were employed he believed, to fol
low him. in the hope Of securing evidence
which would dscTedit HIM. lie added
that his friends fear that his life IS in
danger, and that he has secured a permit
to carry a pistol, and has carried IT fire.
quently at night.
IF | must be logged continually" Or.
Potter said. Il wish they would employ
easonably-good-l looking csZens. 1t wOr-
rles me to be followed continually By a
man with glass eye. and u hatchet-faced
shadow
Il know all about these men. They were
paid 81 a day, and IL has cost some one
nearly 5000 to learn what | have been
doing for the last five months. The
agency through which they were employed
has a branch just opposite the residence
OF a prominent member OF my church,
and Just beside the Irving-Pldce house.
in which Burglar Bender lived before We
arrested him.
This long bounding is evidence Of a
determined attempt to do me lasting
damage in reputation, and. b. lieve that,
falling 10 do this. bodily injury is con-
templated | have at least shown that
my eyes are open. and that / cannot be
logged with impunity."
or the nature OF his suit for $4,000, Or.
Potter would not speak. He says II Is on
the Supreme Court calendar and VIII be
reached In two or three months.