The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-10-25
OFFICERS ON THE RACK
Frank Stlth, Backed by Counsel, Presses His
Charges Against Two Officers.
BOTH OF THE OFFICERS SUSPENDED.
commissioner vcrdicr and Mr.. james
Knapp Fined for Leaving His
Bcnt-Many Witnesses Appear and
Testify I'm nehnIforSergt.Rob


The Board of Police Commissioners
met yesterday afternoon at 1880 o'clock,
all members being present, Mayor Petit
presiding.
The first business taken up by the
board was the investigation of the
charges preferred at the last meeting
against Officers Sherman and A. o. Wood
house. Attorney james f. Heath, Jr.,
appeared to represent Frank Stith, the
complainant. MIR. Heath stated in be-
half of his client that he proposed to
prove that his client OH October 4th
gave an entertainment at his house,
which was as orderly and quiet as that
conducted at any respectable house IN
this city; that while the entertainment
was going on officer Sherman, without
cause or reason at all, came to the house
and peeped through the blinds: that his
clients son demonstrated with him for
invading their private affairs. whereupon
the officer cursed and abused him, and
later went off and got another officer,
Mr.. A. O. Woodhouse, and returned TO
Stith'S house and abused Stith, ST., and
That Woodhouse attempted to come into
his house and drew pistol on him, and
then went TO the police station and
swore out warrant charging his client
with keeping disorderly house; returns
cd with warrant and placed Stith, ST.,
under arrest; Officer WOodhouse unlaw-
lully and without sufficient provoca-
ton drew his pistol upon Stith, ST., be-
cause Stith objected to their entering
his house before he read the warrant
Frank Sttth. Jr, was sworn and tes-
tilted: On the evening of October 4th
| went home at about IL o'clock. On
reaching home heard some talking in
the house and on going in found that
my sister was holding n little social en-
tertainment III honor of n young lady
friend who was visiting her. l took Il
seat In the back parlor with view or
the front window. shortly saw the
blinds turned and saw some one peeping
through the blinds and asked who it
was. l found out that it was this Off
Ger (Shermam. ] asked him what lie
was looking through our blinds for.
He replied that 1t was none OF my bust
ness. l told him that | did not think
that lie had any authority to peep
through our blinds. He replied that he
knew his business and would fix me.
cursing me MS he left. y short time nf-
terMrd he returned with another
officer Ga. o. Woodhouse) and raped
loudly at my door | opened the door
and told me that they had n warrant
for my father. They then arrested my
father and took him in the patrol
wagon to the station house.
Frank Stith. ST., testified substantial
ly the same as his son, stating that
when he objected to the officers enter
Ing his house before he saw the war
rant. Officer Woodhouse drew pis-
tol on him: that his daughter tainted
from frieht; that he had never before
been arrested in his life. although he
was tifty-four years of age.
William Reid testified and corrobo-
rated the Stiths, stating that he was
present on the night of October 9Th at
the entertainment given at Stith's house
and that there waS no disorder there;
that Officer Woodhouse drew his pis-
tol on Suth, ST., without provocation.
Two other witnesses, neighbors of
the Stith's, testified To the fact that
the house was quiet and orderly on the
night in question, and that there was
no need for the action taken by the
officers.
officer Sherman testified that on the
night of October 4th while patroling
his beat about midnight he heard
noises coming from the house where
as the blinds were turned he looked in
to see what the racket was about.
While he was looking I'm two or three
of the girls spoke 10 him. asking wEc-
ther he was going TO pull their house or
not The officer denied cursing Stith.
Jr. and stated that he could prove that
he was not n man given to using onths.
He claimed that he simply acted rs lie
thought to he his duty in investigating
the cause of the disturbance. and loud
noise at that hour of the night; that
he went off and got officer Woodhouse
to verify the noises; that they went
to Stith'S house together, and although
they approached him respectfully,
Stith. Sir, was very abusive to both of
them; that they both then Went and
got n warrant. and arrested the pro-
prietor
officer A. q. Woodhousc testified and
corrObornted Officer Sherman in every
particular. with the additional state
ment that when he went to Stith's
house by request of officer Sherman
he found il very noisy and disorderly:
that it was nearly / o'clock at night;
that he demonstrated with Stith. ST..
for allowing SO much noise in his house
al that time of the night, whercupon
Stith, ST.. became very abusive. order
ed him from in front of the house. and
nj the same time Stith put his hand
behind him; that he thought Stith in
tended to shoot him and he, therefore.
pulled his pistol and held it in his
hands.
The officer denied that he went to
Stith, ST., before the trial before the
Police Court, and told him that he
that he did not know that it was Stith,
and that he would make II as light rs
possible for him.
Stith, ST., his son, and William Reid
were all recalled and stated that Officer
Woodhouse had stated facts that were
untrue. and that when he said he did
not approach Stith, ST.. and tell him
that he would make II as light as posi-
bic for him before the Police Court, he
lied.
After the close of the evidence, while
Mr. Vcrdier was making Il statement
about the manner in which some pco-