Evening star., 1897-03-30
Conflicting Evidence Today in the
Madge Fisher Case.
POLICEMAN MELLEN NOT GUILTY
Doctors Testify as to the Condi-
ton of the Girl.
THE DIS SORDERLY CONDUCT

against foilceman Archibald Mellen of the
first precinct. who. it was claimed, brutally
assaulted Madge Fisher while arresting her
in house in the Division February last
The case has excited much interest, and
because of the absence of a district at
torney for several weeks, and for other
reasons, has. been postponed from time to
time. The stated action of the court was
taken because of great conflict of testi-
mony. The occurrence the court character
lied as a "low-down, contemplate, misera-
bic bawdy house brawl." He would not
convict an inmate of one of these houses on
complaint of the proprietress, the woman
who is creating and maintaining crime
Nevertheless, he was satisfied that there
was some disorder at that house on the
night in question, and the policemen had a
right to suppress the disorder The uues-
ton then resolved itself into the extent of
the violence used. From the testimony, the
court said he could not satisfy himself on
that point and therefore the only course
left open for him was to dismiss the
charge.
Madge Fisher is now held in Jail under
a charge of incorrigibility. awaiting a va
cancy in the girls reform school. AT the
conclusion of the trial today it was de-
cided to take her into court Friday, and if
a vacancy does not then exist to discharge
her from custody.
In anticipation of the trial the court
room was crowded TODAY and scores of
persons were unable to gain admittance.
Many women from the Division and a
large number of policemen and officials
were in the throng. The hearing began
shortly after IL o'clock and was NOT con-
cluded until few minutes before 3 O'Clock
During the proceedings not a few rather
spicy utterances We're made. At one point.
When Attorney Nauck remarked that there
seemed to be an assault case in progress
uh
representing the girl, replied that were it
not 1or the presence of the court a case of
assault between himself and Policeman
GARRISON would ensue then and there.
MadEe Fisher Tcstifies.
Madge Fisher, wearing a new spring hat.
trimmed with red flowers a plush cane and
a silk dress, with her left arm bandaged
first took the stand. In reply to a question
Irom Mr.. Mullowney, she said she first
came to Washington about three months
ago, and had been living in house of i'll
lame. She had been living with a woman
named Lucy Stewart, whose place was al
500 18th street She left there she said
tuesday, February =, because the Stewart
woman accused her of walking the streets
"hen IN reality she was in Baltimore She
vent back after her clothes between and
. O'Clock Thursday, February t. Lille
Chandler was with her. They rang the
cen, ana the Stewart woman opened the
1890
stay. They replied in the negative and
We're then invited to step into the parlor
They found Policemen Mellen and Carlson
seated IN the rear room. A conversation
eI sued, ana the girls said they intended tn
leave the house. Policeman Mellen then
spoke up and stated if they entered any
other house in the Division he would "yag',
them.
replied that / didn't know about that
continued Madge, land then Carlson grab
pea me, raised me from the sofa and hand
ed me over to Mellen. The latter twisted
my arm above my head, dragged me out
OF the mouse and did not let go of me until
behind" N
What did you do:' asked Mr.. Mu.low-
ney.
NO more than cry"
On cross-examination the girl stated tn..
her correct name was Maggie McGinn
She admitted very frankly that sne had
1Ved in house in Baltimore that was
ralaed, and she was sent to a reformatory.
She came to Washington and had lived in
several houses of i'll fame here.
Anc l suppose you drink whenever YOU
please and as much as you please?" asked
Attorney Nauck
Exactly was the reply
Whisky or beer?"
Beer"
Ever take wine?"
''Oh, yes"
Attorney Nauck then wanted to know if
the girl. after being taken to the station.
complained of her arm being broken and
she replied that she cried until some one
came to her in the room where she was
and wrapped wet towel about her arm
Later, after friends had been to see her
Policeman kilmartin took her to the Emer-
gency Hospital. AT the hospital Two little
young men looked at her arm and wrap
ped around it a piece of cloth with some
thing on it that smelled like vinegar.
Did you ever see Policeman Mellen and
Carlson In that house prior TO the 4th of
february! questioned Mr.. Mullowney.
"Oh, yes; often"
What would they do?''
Drink and watch the girls dance"
was IL true that one of the policemen
grew lncensed because Lille Chandler
would not submit to proposition ne mn5a
her?" nc iii"ee
'Yes, sir.''
Which one was it?
Carlson
In reply to a query. Madge stated that
she was nineteen years of age and could
prove II, and she denied that she ALLEGED
her arm was broken merely for defense ana
sympathy. ~
Other Testimony.
The next witness was Lille Chandler
Her testimony in general was in substan
tiation Of the story told by Madge Fisher.
She added, however, that Lucy Stewart
said In the presence of the policemen that
the chambermaid in the house had told
ner that Madge Fisher had said she in
tended TO have the buttons of the police
men taken off because they visited the
mouse. The witness was -omewhat mixed
IN her testimony, saying among other
thirss, that Carlson swung Madge around
bX her arm. Both policemen had been in
the house before, according to the Chan
dier girl. watching the inmates dance
Thcmas Van Zandt, the driver Of the
nrst precinct patrol wagon, testified that
he saw the girl at the first precinct sta
ton after she had been locked up She
cried and complained of pain in her arm,
but would ndE let him examine it.
Charles Anderson, colored, who helps the
1anttor at the first precinct station. ex-
planned to the court that In company with
another colored man, named Edward
Brummell. he carried a trunk belonging
to the girl to the house Of Lucy Stewart
shortly after o'clock in the evening, Feb
lIary 4. They put the. trunk in the hall
way. and the Stewart woman directed
them to step outside They looked
through window and saw Policemen Mel
len and Carlson and two girls in the back
parior. A few minutes later the party
en- erged from the house. Madge Fisher be-
ing under arrest
DR.. Sohon said ha was called to examine
the arm Of the girl February g He pnt
her under an anaesthetic ana found q dis
(Continued on Second Page.)