The evening times., 1896-09-11
MARKED GEORGE's STATUE
Colored Boy Causes Excite
ment at the Capitol.
POLICEMAN USED VIOLENCE
While Taking the Offender to the
Guard Room He Was Criticised by
Charles Thomas-Capt. Garden
Started Out TO Hunt the Latter.
Almost Came to Blows.


A small colored boy with q piece of
| white chalk managed to raise more ex-
element at the Capitol yesterday than
the building has known since Congress ad-
journed. The incident occurred late in the
afternoon, and there, were three separate
| ana distinct acts IN the drama.
Act first tooa place near George Wash
ington's statue at the east front OF the
Capitol; act second In, the guardroom of the
Capitol, and act third ~ the office OF the
disbursing clerk OF the HOUSE of Representa-
tives.
The small boy, 1T seems, In the course of
his days travels happened to find a piece
OF chalk. He seized upon 1t and made his
way along East Capitol street. bent upon
decorating anything and everything in sight
within the Capitol grounds.
AS he went along he left the marks OF his
skill upon the street in big white charac-
ters and ON the stone copings and lamp
posts, until he reached the majestic statue
OF the immortal Washington. Little know
ing whatswas in store for Him, the artist
commenced to execute very naughty
coupiet on the pedestal in letters large
enough for a blind man to see. AS lie la
bored he became so engrossed in his work
that he forgot to keep his weather eye open
for the ever-vigilant Capitol police.
Officer Brown. who is said 10 pride him.
self ON having the handsoInest and bushiest
head OF hair of any man OH thes force ).
pounced upon the boy just as he had flu
ished his work, and started TO take him to
the guardroom OF the Capitol. The boy
resisted vigorously.
CRITICISED THE OFFICER.
The officer grabbed him by the wrist.
and commenced dragging him across The
open space toward the building. The boy
commenced yelling like an Apache. and
number of persons, attracted by his cries.
were soon gathered about The officer aud
his prisoner.
There were criticisms that the officer WAS
treating his youthful prisoner roughly.
Among those who said SO was Charles n.
Thomas who holds responsible position
in the disbursing office of the. House OF
Representatives Mr.. ThcInas attempted
TO demonstrate with Officer Brown
You are hurting the boy said Mr..
Thomas Instead OF frightening him to
death, why don't you try to induce him TO
walk along with youc''
Mr. Thomas says this only brought an ini-
pertinent remark from the officer, and
warning FOR him not TO interfere. Another
well-dressed man in the crowd Joined Mr..
Thomas in mis- suggestion that the boy
could certainly be gotten TO the guardroom
without dragging him along in what he
characterized as a '-disgraceful manner"
As Officer Brown started TO pull the 10y
up the steps into the building Mr.. Thomas
took hold o his other arm and helped pull
him to his feet. assuring him that no one
was going to hurt him. Still crying loudly
the boy was led into the guardroom and the
door closed.
CAPT GARDEN INDIGNANT.
The captaip'of the force a. T. Garden,
heard the charge agnnst the boy and de
cided 10 send him to the statioi-housc-
When this decision was rea ched Capt. Gar
den was told OF the part Mr.. ThGipas had
taken while Officer Brown was bringing
the prisoner In. ,i -
As lie listened the captain grew wrathy-
He started out TO fibd Mr.. Thomas. He
pushed lis way through the crowd that had
been attracted to the scene and staretd FOR
the office of the disbursing clerk He had
learned that that was where he could find
Mr.. Thomas. AS he neared Mr.. Thomas OF