The morning times., 1896-06-18
OFFICER HALL SUSPENDED
Relieved From Duty Sixty Days for
Shooting Will Bright.
Mrs. Dina Phskett, an Old Lady Of
Alexandria. Killed by Falling
Down Stairs.

A meeting az the board OF police COM
missioners was held last night, IN the
mayors office, behind closed doors. There
were present Commissioners Lindsey,
Strauss, Bryant ana Tackett, and Mayor
Thompson, exoffcia member of the board
The special object OF the meeting was
the investigatsnn pnd trial of Policeman
James T. Hall. for the shooting of the boy
Will Bright. 1t VIII be Remembered by tine
readers OF The Times that on the 9th of
May last, OFFICER Hall attempted To ar
rest Bright, whom he suspected OF theft,
near Reeds wharf.
Bright ran and the officer drew his
pistol, and, as he claims. attempted to
shoot in the air to scare the fugitive. The
pistol was discharged and the ball entered
Bright's right Side, inrlicting wound
which came near proving fatal. Bright
was taken to police headquarters. and
subsequently to the Alexandria Inrirmary,
since which time he has been under medical
care, though it is expected that he will
be able 20 be out in a few days.
A number of eye witnesses to the shoot
ing, and aiso Chief Webster and several
brother officers, Were examined.
After considering the evidence, the COM
mssioners decided TO suspend Officer Hall
from the force for sixty days. Policeman
Hall is considered one of the best officers
on the force, and while it is conceded
that he made serious mistake in firing
his pistol at the time referred to- the action
of the commissioners will meet the ap-
proval OF majority of the citizens OF
Alexandria.
The commissioners decided to give each
member of the police force one weeks
holiday during the summer. This will
be carried out by allowing the first two
men off during the week beginning July /.
An accident occurred at the residence Of
Mr.. Paul Pullman, on South Washington
street yesterday, resulting in the death
of Mrs. Dina Plaskett, mother in-law Of Mr.
Pullman.
Mrs. Plaskett arose early and started to
descend the stairs, when she slipped and
fell to the bottom, striking the back of her
head against the steps. She returned to
her room, where she was found severalhours
later. Dr. Purvis was Immediately sum-
moned, and found that life was extinct.
The old lady had a severe cut on her
head, and both arms were badly bruised.
She was seventy-seven years Old.
In the corporation court yesterday Cor
nelius Smith, colOred, was sentenced to
one year in the peniteutiary. Smith was
tried under an indictment for felOnousiy
cutting Alice Rogers, also colOred. A
motion for q new trial will be argued be-
fore Judge Norton at 10 O'Clock this morn
ing.
The case of Ruth Carroll, colored, IN
dicted for the murder OF her infant child,
was continued in the corporation court yes
terday until July 2.
DIR. Drake, surgeon in chief of the South
ern Railway, whose headquarters are in
Atlanta, was in the city yesterday the guest
Of DR.. II. W. O'Brien.
Capt. W. H. Fowie, United States collec-
tor of internal revenue for this district,
was IN the city yesterday on business.
AIessrs. J. J.. Shipman of Washington and
r. Walton Moore of Fairfax were in the
city yesterday.
At the quarterly conference OF the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church, held in Trinity
Church on Tuesday night, Mr.. W. N.
Berkiey, who for fOrty-six years has filled
the position Of recording steward, ten
dered his resignation, and Nj, John 8.
Fowler was elected to fill tue vacancy.
Nessrs. ]. T.LDevaughn and w. II.
Fugett of Washington were yesterday paid
the $50 reward offered by the governor
for the capture Qfi Michael Thomas, *he
broke jail IN tbs Mty while awaiting trial
for a murderoYe 9psanlt on his wife, and
gentlemen naHleds,o .,s
Thirty-seven, inq1es weFe added to the
membership Of frt6e iYoun1 Mems Sodality
plications for fnehbership were received.
Henry Jobn3cp, Golofed,. while engaged
in digght ! wHl1D the yard Of Nr. oriIly,
on North ColuHbuS sfge5t, yestertay, vas
quite painfully njlRed BY the earth caving