The record-union., 1897-09-25
MERRILL LOST HIS HEAD.
MAY LOSE IT AGAIN WHEN THE
COMMISSIONERS MEET.
The Tattoo That He Beat on Young
Carl Rack1iRe's Head on
Thursday Night.

NJ. H. Merrill is a special policeman
of the Capitol grounds, but the indica-
tions are that his official life IN that
capacity is about finished. NJ. II. Mer-
rill happens to be the father-in-law OF
Governor Budd, but such a combination
will. it is said, cut no ice in his case.
His special policeman days seem to
be near the grand wind-up, and the
edict viii go forth in few days, and
he, his cane, and his revolver Will be
seen no more.
II appears that on Wednesday even
ing a number Of young hoOdlums in
vaded the Capitol grounds, and when
ordered 10 move on by Special Police
man Merrill hooted at him, and IN
other ways showed their contempt, but
carefully kept out of the way Of his
ready cane.
But their actions seemed to rankle
in the officers breast and Thursday
night he set to work TO play even.
1t so happened that Master Carl
Rackliffe, the 15-year-old son Of State
Treasurer Levi Rackliffe in company
with a companion had ridden their
wheels into the country, and on their
return pedaled into the Eleventh-street
entrance on L street, with the inten
ton Of resting on the north steps of the
Capitol building.
Young Rackliffe dismounted from his
wheel and was in the act of taking
seat on the steps when Special Police
man Merrill appeared on the scene. He
evidently recollected the event of the
night before and ordered the boy out
of the grounds.
I've got a right here" said the son
of the State Treasurer, but he had no
time to say more, for the special police
man fished up a revolver and with that
weapon in one hand and his heavy
cane in the other began tattoo on the
boys head and back, which only ended
when the latter had reached L street.
The beating was simply terrible, and
when it was over great knobs stood out
on the boys head where the cane and
revolver had landed, and black and
blue bruises covered his back, shoul
ders and arms.
State Treasurer Rackiffe also hap
pens to be one OF the three Capitol
Commissioners, the other members be-
ing Secretary of State Brown and Gov
ernor Budd. and it also happens that
the Capitol Commissioners have the ap-
pointing of special Capitol policemen.
State Treasurer Rackliffe was seen
by a Record Union, reporter yester-
day, and said the story of the assault
upon HIS son as given heretofore, was
true in every particular.
1T was simply an outrage said
the State Treasurer" and whether it
was my son or somebody else's. makes
no difference. Merrill, the same as
other Capitol policemen, has orders 10
arrest anybody who breaks the rules
laid down by the Capitol Commission
ers, but he has no authority to abuse
or beat them"
Mr. Rackliffe further said that he did
not care 20 suspend Merrill before
regular meeting of the board could be
had, but when such meeting should be
held he would certainly take steps for
his removal. Merrill. he said, was
probably a good man, but lost his head
too easily to ever become a success as
a policeman.
The same evening several young men
came to the office of the Chief of Po-
lice, complaining that, as they We're
riding on the driveway in front of the
Capitol, Merrill ordered them out of
the park. without giving any reason,
and when they declined to go beat one
of them named Wells over the head
with his cane. drawing his pistol with
his other hand.
Last evening a similar event oc-
CURED, the victims this time being a
couple of members of the Wheelmen's s
Club named Frank Peterson and r.
Armstrong.
The young men stated that they had
been at the club and We're going home.
Peterson had no wheel and Armstrong
was walking beside him. trundling his
wheel. Suddenly Merrill appeared be-
fore them on the driveway between L
street and the Capitol, and ordered
them out of the park. They explained
that they were on their way home. and
asked why he ordered them out, when
he told them they could go no further,
and tried to kick the spokes out of
Armstrong; wheel He then drew his
pistol in one hand and thrust in under
Armstrong; nose, while he struck Fet-
terson over the shoulder and head with
his cane. and also struck Armstrong
on the nose and broke his pipe, which
was in his mouth. While this was go
ing on, the young men state, E. j.
Devlin came up and asked the occasion
of the row, when Merrill ordered him off
the driveway and refused to receive
his card. The young men, thinking
discretion the better part Of valOr, re-
treated to the clubroom, where they
told their story.
They say that they did not at any
time use any disrespectful or dis
courteous language to him. and that
they intend to-day to swear out war
rants for battery and for assault with
a deadly weapon against him.