Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1896-06-12
Over the Lines of Mission
Street,
BANKER JOHN H. ALBERT
Fights Off a City Officer ard Five
Men.

The first round in the battle Owe
the lines OF Mission street was fought
between 10 and II o'clock this fore
| noon, between Banker John II. Alber
and Street Commissioner Culver.
MR.. cuLvERs STATEMENT.
Mr., Culver, as street commissioner
went out TO Mission street this morn
ing, with Elmer White, Geo. Clymer
Sam Miller, Robt. McRillOp and Dlcl
Mason, acting under instruction Of
the city council and Acting City At
torney Geo. G.. Bingham, to remove
the south line fence Of John H.Albert
from Mission street. They were get
ting along nicely, having torn down
about a half a block, when Mr.. Albert
arrived and told the men TO quit.
He pushed the men aside and then
Mr.. Culver says he stepped in to 20
ahead with the work himself. Albert
took hold OF him, tried to push him
of, at the same time striking at him
with his hands, hitting him twice.
Culver parried his blows and kept
him off. He advised Mr.. Albert TO
come off, as he was very much excited
and did not seem to act as rational as
usual. Albert stepped inside his
premises, picked up a stone and
threatened TO brain the first man
who touched the fence. Culver said
he was only acting as agent Of the
city and did not wish TO commit
violence or have his men do 50. lie
said he had right as road supervisor
10 go upon his premises in fulfill
ment OF his duties. Culver then
ordered his men to go on with the
work. Lawyer Bingham says the pro-
ceedings are all regular 50 far and
Culver will act under his instructions.
III never saw man so excited in
my llfe," says Mr., Culver. ~ have
no feelings against Mr. Albert IN this
matter and have only acted under in
structions."
MIR. ALBERT's STORY.
About II O'Clock John IL. Albert
was telephoned to come home, that
Street Commissioner Culver with a
force of men was tearing down his
fence on Mission street. He responded
Immediately aud arrived at the seat
Of hostillties on his bicycle. Culver
aud 1--WE men were tearing down the !
fence In question. They had pulled !
up the posts for a quarter OF "A block |
leaving the wires attached Just north
west OF Geo. G.;Bingham's residence. |
Mr.. Albert Immediately notified Mr.. !
Culver and his men that they were
lnlawfully breaking his enclosures,
md ordered them to Immediately
iesist. Commissioner Culver: go
ahead men and pull out that post"
hr. Alberta pushing them all back
rom his line.l This Is Il personal
aggression. Mr., Culver has no au-
'horlty to order you to touch this
ence." Culver here grappled Mr..
Albert and Albert struck him twice
'er the head with ruler he had in his
land' Ii was wrapped in n JOURNAL
II last night, which softened the
blow some, but the blows pro.
Iuced quite an effect, Albert
Iisengaged himself from the
commissioners bear hugs, and Jumped
ack upon the terrace inside, where
Ie was literally supplied with ammu-
itlon, In the shape of small boulders,
'lIh which he armed himself, and
threatened 10 knock out the first man
mo touched the fence or came inside
he enclosure.
This produced an armistice and
ostlllties were suspended until par
" was had.
AlOert' "Show me your authority
some warrant or legal authority, TO
reaR this enclosure. Stay outside
ne fence while you do it,"
Culyeri "My authority are the or.
,rs of the councll.n
Al6ert' Swapping his flngers.)l
Tue orders OF the council don't 20
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