The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-06-05
COPPERS WERE WEAK
SUSCEPTIBILITY TO FEMININE
CHARMS LED TO THEIR DISMISSAL.
PatroImen DiIts and RAIDER Dismissed
from the Police Force for Com
duet with Two Women.

Patrolmen George w. Dilts and John ID.
RAIDER were both dismissed from the police
force by the Board of Public Safety last
night for unbecoming conduct. Dilts pleaded
guilty to indiscreet conduct toward a
woman, but said that it occurred six months
ago and had entirely ceased. His wife
''ketched' him, he said, he came away
from the home of the woman's sister and
he quit going to the house Mrs. Dilts
handed the board a letter which she had
intercepted. 1t was from the woman, but
was not signed. MY own sweet George"
it was headed, and in it she called him pet
and spoke in the most endearing terms.
Before she met him her affections wan
dered, but she had at last found one whom
she could love- The sentimentality of the
letter was too much for the dignity of the
board, and it was with difficulty that Pres-
dent Mcguire and Commissioner Morse re-
strained their risibilities Commissioner
Mack was absent. In announcing it's deci-
sion the board said that it had taken into
consideration Patrolman Diltss frank con-
fession, but felt that the dignity and disci-
pline of the force demanded his dismissal.
There was silence for several seconds. Pa
trolman RAIDER had nothing to say.
It's pretty tough" remarked Mr.. Dilts
as he and his wife left the room.
Patrolman RAIDER contested the charge
against him. A long time was taken in
hearing the score or more of witnesses.
He was also charged with indiscretion in
visiting sister of the woman on whom
Patrolman Dilts admitted calling. Neigh
bors observed RAIDER making frequent visits
and began gossiping. Several women who
lived close by told how they had seen
RAIDER scrubbing the floor and lacking down
carpets when the women moved into the
house Patrolmen Leppert and Maddox the
latter new man on the force, testified that
While they were running the Ninth dis
trlct the two women had often met them
and had held conversations with the ac-
cused. Maddox told about seeing them in
the back room of saloon on Fort Wayne
conduct by his presence, telling him that
trouble was sure to come of it. Maddox
was reluctant to testify and President Ma
guire gave him to understand the board
thought he was keeping back something.
He was cross-eXamined by Raiders attor-
ney, who insisted on knowing. if there was
anything immoral done in his presence.
Maddox was a little eVasive.
President Mcguire reminded him that he
was under oath and that he would be pro-
tected no matter what his testimony might
"Of course, we appreciate that you want
10 protect a brother officer but you had
letter speak out"
The attorney renewed his questioning.
Maddox admitted that the woman was sit
ting on RAIDERS knees. Pressed further he
said there was lovemal1ing and kissing.
This was afterward denied by RAIDER and
the woman. Both of them testified that the
officer did not do any scrubbing or carpet
lacking, and that there had never been
anything improper. He had never called
on her except when others were present.
The meetings on the beat had been acciden-
tai. 1t developed that year ago another
of the WOmanS sisters had complained to
the superintendent about RAIDER stopping
and looking into the house. Sergeant Crane
testified that he had been sent to investi-
gate the case and that the woman appealed
to him for protection. AT that time he
talked to RAIDER and upon promises the lat
ter made, assured the woman there would
of a very direct character in the evidence
to show there had been good ground for
the gossiping. but the circumstances had
q doubtful appearance The fact that both
officers have wives and that one of the
women is married had considerable weight
with the board Both the officer and the
woman had very plausible reasons for
everything that occurred, but the prepon-
derance of the circumStantial evidence was
Judged by the board to be against them.
RAIDER said that when his sister was sick
he took groceries to the other woman to
cook for her At other times he called at
her house to get her to do sewing for his
wife and children. All of his visits excepting
that made on the day she was moving
were made necessary by business matters
they had to discuss in connection with
affairs of lodge to which they belonged
Both he and the woman denied that there
Patrolman Maddox with reference to the
occurrence in the Fort Wayne-avenue sa-
loon, though both admitted that they were
in the saloon.