The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-08-28
MANY WITNESSES SUMMONED.
MAYOR MYERS INVESTIGATES THE
YORK-COUNIHAN ROW.

missed, But the Decision NJ TO
York and scuIIy Reserved-Eaeh
side Brings Up a score of Wit
neSses-The Hearing Private, Bat
the witnesses Talked Outside-The
story of the Row as 1t Was Told TO
the MayOr-SheriR Romans Prompt
Action Prevented Serious Trouble.
Mayor Myers made lengthy investiga-
ton yesterday afternoon Of the row which
occurred between Policeman York and ex-
Policeman Counihan on Broughton street
Saturday night. There seemed to be about
forty witnesses on hand The point at is
sue was really the question of who was at
fault in the matter, and each man appear
ed to have summoned all the friends he
could get there.
Nearly three hours was spent by the
mayor in taking testimony. The mayor
was evidently determined to probe to the
bottom of the affair. and that this pur-
pose might be better served he had all the
testimony taken in short hand by MS
stenographer. The Investigation, when
was held in the office of the assistant
chief of police was private. A Morning
News reporter who intruded, was kindly
excused by Mayor Myers. There was no
star chamber air about the investigation,
however, the chief and assistant cnle1, the
clerk of council, the chief detective ana
the principals to the affair being present
throughout. and the doors and windows
being left open.
There was evidently considerable con-
tradiction in the testimony of the numer-
Gus witnesses as to how the affair orlSl-
mated and who was responsible for the
row. the friends of each man endeaVorlng
of course, to put the blame on his oppo-
nent. Several of the witnesses stated that
both men were intoxicated and that THIS
was the real cause of the row. As near as
could be gathered from the witnesses the
trouble was about as follows: York while
speaking with Deputy Sheriff Charles Coll
man and others in front of Collmans cl-
gar store on Broughton street Saturday
afternoon, made some criticisms on the
Ryals-Counihan affair with the remark
that if he had been in Ryals' place ne
would have arrested Counihan dead or
alive. There were some of Counihan
friends in the crowd and they took care 70
convey the remark to his ears
Probably Counihan was not feeling the
kindest in the world just then to some
members of the police force, and when
he and York met in front of Collman
place Saturday night it did not take much
how the row started. Anyway Counihan
pulled off his coat and said that he could
lick York. The latter was not on duty
then, but was doing his Saturday night
marketing and had a package in his hand.
He replied to Counihan that he would
place him under arrest and laying down
the package started towards him. The two
men clinched and York, Selling Counihan
around the body, planted his teeth in his
shoulder.
There are usually several detectives and
policemen in this neighborhood on Satur-
day nights, and some or the crowd had
sense enough to know that there was
danger of desperate work and to run
for an officer Detective Scully was
found nearby and came at once. When
he arrived, however, the men had already
been parted by Sheriff John T. Roman.
To Sheriff Roman belong the credit OF
preventing a serious outcome of the af-
fair. He was standing close by, and the
moment the two men clnched he seized
hold of them and ordered them to cease.
Counihan must have been surprised at
Yorlrs method of attack. Although
York is a fine specimen physically, Count
han is considered the better man of the
two. He had just drawn back to strike
his opponent when Sheriff Roman seized
hold of him and ordered him not to DO
so, taking Counihan to one SIDE When
Detective Scully came up York called
upon him to arrest Counihan. Scully re-
piled that he had no reason to arrest
Counihan, but that if York would I'M
dertake to arrest him and needed as
sistance he would assist him, as Is the
custom on the police force. This is De-
tective Scully'S statement to Morning
News reporter as to how Policeman York
came to place him on the docket Tor re-
fusing to assist him in making an arrest
This is the first time a charge has been
made against Scully during his six years
service on the force, and he naturally
feels deeply hurt over it.
Whether the American Protective Asso-
citation cut any figure in the investigation
could not be learned, but 1t is not thought
that it did. After concluding the hearing
Mayor Myers announced that he would
dismiss the charges against Counihan
and would reserve his decision as to the
charges against York and Scully. The dis
missal of the charge against Counihan
would appear to leave York in the hole,
so to speak. Several of the witnesses tes-
tilted strongly that York was drinking at
the time, and this is probably the point
which the mayor is considering. When
seen by a Morning News reporter imme-
diately after the close of the investiga-
ton. Mayor Myers declined to give any
intiunation as to what his decisions will
be and also declined to discuss the testi-
mony given by. the witnesses.
1T has been the custom to hold these
Investigations privately" explained Mr..
Myers, land I think 1t best that they
should be private. It does not benefit
the force any to have these difficulties
discussed for the benefit of the public,
and regret that so much has appeared in
print about them. 1t is my intention TO
preserve discipline in the force at all haz-
ards, no matter who suffers"
While Mayor Myers is undoubtedly right
in his views, the recent difficulties among
the police have been the subject of general
discussion on account of the belief that
the unpleasantness originates N the Amer
lean Protective Association issue.
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