The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-09-28
COLBERT WAS NOT TRIED
SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE HANDS
IN HIS RESIGNATION.
A Letter from His Physician Accom-
panies It-His Successor Not
Yet Appointed.

terday afternoon. It was promptly accepted.
The board announced that Captain James
f. Quigley would continue as acting super
intendent and that no further changes
would be made for the present. AS soon as
it was known that Colbert had resigned
and that no investigation Of the charges
against him had been made, it was
serted that this meant that he would be
reappointed after the election" President
Mcguire authorized the statement that no
such action was contemplated and that the
board would appoint Colbert's successor.
There was considerable surprise at the
turn the matter took. 1t was generally be-
lieved until noon yesterday that Colbert
would go through the trial, as the opinion
was expressed that there was an under
standing that the board would exonerate
him with the previous understanding that
his resignation would at once be
rendered. Yesterday Colbert decided TO ten
der his resignation. He was with friends
during the morning who urged this course.
The resignation was written out and placed
in Colberts pocket. Even until the last mo-
ment his friends were afraid that he would
fight the charges and some of them were
there to urge him to hand in his resigna-
ton. Before the board met, it was known
that there was to be no trial. Quite
number of witnesses were present, but some
of the most important were absent. Ex-
Judge Stubs sent word that he could not
be present. He was injured in a street.
car accident last week. Joseph B. Healing,
who saw Colbert the night of the Yellow
Bridge occurrence, was not there 1t was
claimed that service could not be had on
him, as he was out of town. But two or
three of the witnesses who said that they
saw Colbert intoxicated appeared to testify
against him. After his resignation was ac-
cepted Secretary Herrick informed them
that they would be excused.
The proceedings were brief. Mayor rag
CART was in the office of the board with
Commissioners Mcguire. Mack and Morse
promptly at o'clock. Several councilmen,
City Attorney Curtis and a number of
spectators waited for the superintendent to
appear Within five minutes of the hour set
for trial he came in. The mayor and MEM
bers of the board bowed to him as he took
a seat facing the board. Secretary Herrick
called the board to order. He had a bundle
of official documents before him, with a
copy of last Tuesdays Journal on top. Mr..
Herrick stated that the board had met to
consider charges made against Superin-
tendent Colbert "by the public press" Su-
perintendent Colbert appeared little ner-
vous, but otherwise he was more self-pos-
seSSed than any one else concerned in the
proceedings. He arose hastily after the
tossed an envelope on the table, saying,
Il have this to submit, Mr.. President
The envelope contained a letter addressed
to the board by Dr. E. F. Hodges as to
his physical condition and the superin-
tendents resignation. DR.. Hodges said in
MS communication to the board:
"Gentlemen-I am acquainted with the
circumstances Of the accident which oc-
CURED to Mr. Thomas F. Colbert in the lat
ter part of May last. He was severely in
Jured at the time and was under my care
for the three weeks following. / advised
him to apply for long leave of absence,
but he did not do so, returning to his du-
ties contrary to my advice. l advised him.
also, while trying to hasten his recovery,
TO take glass of wine daily. This did
because for many years l had known him
as his physician and knew that he was
given to the u9e of liquor. indeed, l had
recently examined him for insurance in the
New England Life Insurance Company,
ard passed him, with very favorable notice.
Notwithstanding he had practically fully
manded of him during fair week told upon
his strength. He did not eat at proper
times, nor would he digest his food when
taken. Doubtless, he was induced to use
better. Moreover, while perfectly sound in
mind and Intellectually entirely competent
for his duties. it is probable that his physi-
cal injury (for it was never mentaD rem
dered him unduly susceptible to the influ-
ence of a small quantity of liquor. Under
these conditions Mr.. Colbert tells me that
he drank what would have been by no
means enough to effect him if he had eaten
his ordinary food. but which was neverthe-
less sufficient to be noticeable upon him at
the time of the meeting at Michigan street
and Indiana avenue.
Il strongly advise Mr.. Colbert to refrain
from his work for a brief season, and fully
believe that he will be in all ways compe-
tent and capable for the performance of his
duties after he has taken much-needed
rest"
After reading DR.. Hodges's letter, Secre-
tary HerTick proceeded to read the super
intendent's resignation, which bore date of
yesterday and was addressed to the board
1t was short. 1t was as follows:
"Gentlemen-Owing to my present physi-
cal condition, as stated in a note from my
orable board. which l herewith inclose, 1
do not desire to further continue as your
superintendent of police. / therefore most
respectfully tender you my resignation, to
take effect at once.
Thanking your honorable board and
Mayor Thomas Taggart for hearty support
and kind treatment during our official rela-
tions, 1 am" etc.
THE BOARD ACTS
Superintendent Colbert sat with crossed
legs while the two documents that meant
so much to him were being read. Once or
twice he passed his hands hastily across
his eyes Anyone could see that it was a
trying ordeal for him. He exhibited a good
deal of nerve under the unpleasant strain.
There was a moments pause after the let
ters were read. Mr.. Morse moved that the
resignation be accepted. Mr.. Mack Sec
onded the motion President Mcguire pre-
scented the question. Secretary Herrick
called the roll. The three commissioners
voted aye. President Mcguire declared the
resignation accepted. Then there was an
other uncomfortable pause. After a second
or two the deposed chief saw that no re-
marks were TO be made, that nothing was
TO be said about the long service he had
rendered and he arose and passed to the
rear of the room. There a whispered
converse ton between the mayor and board.
The announcement that Captain Quigley
would continue as acting superintendent
was made and then the board took up rou-
tine matters, bought some hay. appointed
four special policemen and as an after con-
sideration ordered the following entry made
on the minutes:
I'm accepting the resignation of Thomas
f. Colbert as superintendent of police the
department has lost a courageous and
painstaking officer. whose individual ef-
forts for many years have contributed in
a great measure to the present high stand
ing and efficiency of the police force
Superintendent Colbert handed his badge
of office to Secretary Herrick and left the
room before this entry was made part of
the record.
When asked what his plans for the future
were MIR Colbert said that he would rest
five or six weeks, as his physician advised
faTw4 49, \