The times., 1897-08-15

The new way of trying the cases of
policemen brought up for charges is
vast Improvement over the Star Chamber
methods formerly in vogue. The trial
court, with Judge Pugh presiding, held
its second session yesterday. But two
cases were on the docket, that OF Police
man Shipley, of the Ninth precinct, charged
with conduct unbeconIing an officer, and
Officers Ellis and Traynor, against whom
Night Inspector Pierson preferred charges
of neglect of duty.
The Shipley case, although the last, was
The mora important Of the two. Shipley,
who is practically Il new man on the force
while off duty on the afternoon of the
9th instant asS:i ufted Rachel Brown and
Mary Lyles. For this lie was arr ested,
ana the case was to have been tried in the
police court, but district Attorney Davis
nolle pressed il. Commissioner Wight then
directed that he be tried for conduct Inbe
coming an officer.
The first witness TO testify was Lieut.
Heffner, Shipley's superior officer. He
testified that on the day charged Rachel
Brown came TO tie station house and
claimed that there was man at her house
once sent two officers 70 her home, near
Eighth and f streets northeast, TO take the
man. whoever he was, into custody. He
had no Idea that it was the defendant, who
was not On duty at the time.
.ShiIley when brought to the station was
found to be in an intoxicated condition, and
was at once suspended. Lieut.. Heffner
Furthermore stated that this was the first
time he knew the prisoner TO be Intoxicated,
and that during the month he vas under his
charge Shpley had shown himself TO be d
capable and competent policeman.
Policeman Gee, brother officer of The
accused, stated that he saw the disturbance
while on his way home, and arrested the
man and brought him to the station
Rachel Brown, one OF the complainants in
the case. next hobbled TO the witness chair
She claims 20 be eighty years old, and can
hardly walk.
IBIS Mr.. Policeman" she said. come
to my house an acted so funny dat
thought he was outen his min. He went
In my house, an then come out to de
yahd whar | was.
"Den he say, 'Goin de house. / thought
he was foolin', and didn't go at fust, so
he pushed me ober. Amt dun struck ne
none-jes' pushed me utser. had to crawl
70 dc porch, cause he wouldn't let me
git or hold OF the palm. He had thing
in his han, an kep' strikiu' at ray finger
when I'd try an git hol'.''
what was it, Auntie, a black iacss?''
interposed Judge Pugh.
'Yasser, OATS tier blackjack Den
he went upstairs, whar my daughter was.
an don't 'zackIy know what he dun
there
Shipley's attorney, who had entered a
plea OF guilty from the first, here inter
posed. His client acknowledged that ne
was intoxicated, and he pleaded that the
testimony be stopped at that point.
Judge Pugh, however, ordered the next
witness to be called She was Mary Lyles,
Aunty Browns granddaughter. Mary is
about sixteen years old and very black.
Shipley, she said, knocked her
down the steps and threw q black
jack after her He then followed
her into the back yard and struck her on
the shoulder with that weapon. Her
grandmother asked him what he wanted,
20 which he replied that ''he had a right
to 60 anywhere" He Furthermore threat
ened TO kill her If he got hold of her.
+. Nj DAVIS grocer, or NO. 700 street
northeast, testified that Shipley came into
his place on tie 9Th and bought cigar
he attempted to interfere with witness
horse, claiming that it had no right in tha
street
A number OF witness appeared in the de
fendant's behalf. Their testimony showed
that Shipley had always been gentleman
and never to their knowledge a drinking
man.
ID. II Keller. an employe OF the Weather
Bureau, living at No 41S A street south
east, formerly was the accused officers
roommate, but never knew Of him to
drink or act in any way other than q
gentleman should.
Thomas E. Smithson, of No. 26 Eleventh