The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-06-10
FIGHT NOW
The Midgely-Gonzer Row
Takes on a New and
Odd Aspect.
sALooNKEEPER VERSUS POLICE
Charge of Petty BlacpGxsil and
Petty Vengeance McKaig Says
s'Nho's Afraid?"

The case of John Midgley of No. 515
Communipaw avenue. who was arrested
for an alleged assault upon Patrolman
Gonzer and Fred Hornig, was to have
come up for trial before Justice Nevin
this morning, but it was again post
poned. Unless further delay occurs a
hearing will be had in the Second Grim
inal Court tomorrow morning. For some
unexplained reason the warrant for the
arrest of Anthony Lembeck was not
served. He was served with a summons
this morning, however, and he will sp
pear tomorrow as a witness. It is said
that he will then be arrested and chaig-
ed with interfering with Patrolman
Conner in the discharge of his duty.
There seems to be more behind the
affair than the mere rumpus in Midsse-
ly's stable, and 1t is openly limited that
before the case is ended there will be
a complete expose of certain alleged ir-
regularities that have existed for some
time in the Fourth precinct. 1t is alleged
that system of petty blackmail has
been practiced for long while upon
Anthony Lembeck, who keeps a beer
garden at Arlington and Communipslw
avenues, and that when he refused to
stand 1t any longer ne and the police
became bad friends. It is also alleged
by Mr.. Lembeck that the breach be-
tween him and the police officials was
widened by his refusing to permit GER
tain notorious women to enter his place
alone or in the company of male com
panions.
Mr.. Lembeck has had several confer
xr,if1 cfn Do
trolman Conner first threatened to pros
ecute him for interfering with an >s-r-
rest. He was closeted with MIN at Po-
lice Headquarters this morning after he
received the summons to appear tomer-
row morning, and it is said that his visit
BODIES i'll for somebody.
Mr.. Lembeck was seen last night by a
News" reporter at his place of business.
II in no way interfered with the Off
cer,' he said. THE police have taken
this as long looked for chance to injure
me and cause me annoyance. There has
been bad blood between us ever since I
shut down on standing for an unlimit ed
amount of drinks for the crowd. They
used to come into my place in squads
every night when they went on post and
again when they went off duty, and drink
at my expense I could not afford to fur
nish them all with free beer, so I put a
stop to that practice The man on post
can have all he wants in my place, but
cannot supply the whole precinct
Getting down to the present trouble Mr..
Lembeck said:-"I do not believe they
viii serve the warrant on me, as it would
go hard with George if I should appear
in court I did not interfere with him
or assault him. I was only trying to act
as a peacemaker. Midgely was at the
Court House all day and came home with
another man. Both were pretty well
loaded. They went to Midgely's office A
coach driver came in and wanted to go
out with a coach. Midgely told him he
was too drunk to drive. His companion,
man named Merseles, said the same
thing, and they got into fight. Young
Hornig came along and interfered, strik-
ing Midgely over the head with his urn-
brella. Mr.. Midgely's son came to me
and asked me if I would not go in and
try to quiet his papa. I went into the
office, and stopping the fighting. held
Midgely by the arm.
Just as had him Quilted somewhat
Conner came rushing across the street
seized Midgely by the throat and knocked
his head against the walk I let go Of
Midgely so that he could defend himself.
as the officer was giving him terrible
beating. did not lay hands upon the
officer. After Midgely was locked up, I
was behind my bar when Conner opened
the door and said he had a great mind
to arrest me for interfering with him. I
asked him if he had warrant He said
no, but that he had a good mind to ar
rest me anyway. I did not want to get
into row with him, so / picked up the
evening paper and walked upstairs. 1
sent for Inspector Lange and he came UP
ness and he told me that Conner acted
wrong in threatening to arrest me-
Captain McKadg was seen today by a
reporter for The News" at the Fourth
precinct police station house this after
noon. The substance of what Mr.. Lem
beck said was repeated to him and he
was asked if he had any statement to
make.
IF my men drink in his place and eIo
not pay for it that is his lookout" said
the Captain. "As far as I am concerned
Lembeck. never enter his place and if
at any time I ever did enter it paid for
all got. 1t has come to my ears from
several sources that he has been spread
~
me presents: I never received any
thing from him. When the excise LAW
was being enforced he kept his place open
on Sunday and put a bar in front of the
door so that the police could not enter Ee
told John Anness and Fred Flack, who Is
a member OF the Grand jury, that he
was In the habit of occasionally sending
me UP a box of cigars. I went to him
yesterday in company with Inspector
Lange and confronted him with that
statement. He denied that he ever said
such thing. He said that he had never
said anything against me. told him that
I would rather take the word Of Mr..
Flack than believe what he said."
While Captain McKaig was talking 10
the reporter, Inspector Lange came into
the station house, and Captain McKaig
repeated Lembeck's s allegations to him.
The Inspector said that they were prat-
tically the same as had been made to
him, which he had investigated
'sThe men were in the habit at ore
outside of Lembeck's S and getting drinks,
but Captain McKaig ended that prac-
tice as soon as It came to his knowl-
II wish you would publish everything
that Lembeck said,' said Captain Nd
Kaig, sI am not afraid to face public
criticism. I defy anyone to place a finger
to stand for. If he has assailed my
character have money enough to SUE
him for damages and / will make him
prove all he says about me-"
Regarding the warrant which was is,-
sued for Mr. Lenlbeclx's arrest, Captain
McKaig said:-tsWe have the warrant
and we will serve It, He will be in
court tomorrow. morning, but we will
not show any feeling against him by
mt "a