The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-03-01
WINGETT AND KING GO.
Police Board Dismiss Two PatroIm en-
Saturday Night


The Topeka police board Saturday in
regular session, discharged two patrol
men whom they had appointed less than
a month ago. In their stead they ap-
pointed two men of the POpulist faith,
one a white man, the other colored.
PatrOlman Wingett was relieved from
duty, it is supposed, on account of an
arrest he made last week and failed to
take his man to jail. 1t was Robert
Jordon, who "bluffed" him out and es-
capped.
Wingett was a silver Republican, and
while considered a good, square man.,
those who were in a position to judge OF
him, expressed doubts as to his adapta-
bility as policeman. This ought, per-
haps, be a matter of Self-congratulat ton
on Mr. Wingett's part
The other patrolman dismissed was
Charles P. King, also one of the newly
appointed men. 1t is supposed that 9TH
er applicants for places made such
strong objections to King that this act
ion was taken to quiet them
King is a Populist, but during the
campaign he Joined no political club,
and kept still. He served two weeks on
the special police during the Fall Fes-
tiVal, and when he was appointed by
the present board as regular patrol
man, cry from the other applicants
went up. King was one of the best Of
ficers on the force. He has had exper-
fence in this line of work and his recon-
mendations to the police board contain
ed the names of such men as A. J. Arm
old, Sheriff Kepley. Chief Gardiner
went personally before the board and
recommended him as man who would
make an excellent officer.
Since Kings appointment there have
been no causes for reprimand on &C
count of his work Both he and Win
gett were objected to by Chief Steele,
who asked the board Saturday to dis
miss the men.
President Billiard of the board said to-
day to a State Journal reporter:
There were no charges against the
two men. We let them out because we
thought we could find better men
to fill their places"
t'What reason was there for remOv-
ing Patrolman King?"
Il would rather not make that public.
We thought we could get a man who
was better adapted to- the work.
Wilson Keith a member of the police
board, said:
1.-The men didn't fill the needs of the
department. Wingett is a fine man. I
know him to be. But he did not seem to
be what was wanted there"
Wingett was one of Mr.. Keith's ap-
pOintments.
King, who was dismissed from duty,
said to a reporter:
These fellows have been fighting me
ever since 1 was appointed. You see I
didn't belong TO any political clubs, and
didn't pay up my dollar Steele never
treated me well. could see that he
was against me. have been extra care
full in my work on that account. over
my beat there have been but five ar
rests, and I made four of them. They
were all right, too"
The two new patro1men appointed
were Joseph Campbell and Geo. Rucker
Campbell was on the Populist force
be~%re and was considered an inteIli-
gent officer. He Is q brother-fn-law of
Ex-Governor LewelIing. Since the old
Populist force went out he has been
bIacksmithing.
Rucl1er is a colored man who lives in
South Topeka He is a we'll known man
among his race. Both he and Campbell
are PopuliSts. They begin their duties
tonight, Campbell going to Parkdale,
and Rucker to South Topeka.