The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-12-27
Powers Story to the PO-
lice Authorities.
AN INVESTIGATION MADE
Revealed the Fact That Powers Was
in a Barroom Row.
POLICE MADE TWO ARRESTS.

When James j. Powers showed up at
his home, l59 Julian street, Olneyville' on
Christina, morning he was a sight. His
wife was all but frightened TO death, be-
cause her husband looked as though he
had been associated with the business end
of,a cyclone. His face was covered with
blood which flowed from his mouth and
two wounds on his face.
He said be Rad been drugged and rob-
bed in saloon on Atwells avenue apu
that his condition was due TO the beating
which had beer inflicted by the robbers.
Mrs. Powers dressed the wounds ana put
her husband TO bed. she said that she
was awful mad at the way her husband
had been treated. She did not care so
much for the money thot had been stolen
as she did for the terrible "1cklng her
husband had received.
Powers reported the harsh treatment be
had received TO Captain Marston at the
knight street police station Sunday
morning andDetective Merrill Is now en-
gagged In finding out the facts In the case
Powers was with the police officials for "A
long time this morning at the Knight
street station and there is sone doubt as
10 whether the affair happened exactly as
Powers thinks IL did or not
Powers Is smployec as night watchman
in the stable OF the Roston Store on
Fountain street. His hours are from u
o'clock In the evening until $3.50 O'Clock
in the morning. Friday night he re-
ceived his week pay at I'D O'Clock.
The next morning being Christmas he
thought he would sip that which cheers
aud the same time tips. The police are
OF the opinion that he slipped In more
than one place. but Power, states that he
went into Frederick Burr's saloon, 33i
Atwelis avenue, and called for glass OF
beer A few moments after he had alb
sorbed the liquid he began 10 feel queer
His head began TO swim ana then 10
dawned upon him that he had been drug
ged. His recollection OF what happened
thereafter is confused, but be knows that
he fal a $40 bill and that two men as
snulted him and that the bartender OF the
place assisted in throwing him out of
the saloon.
When he regained his senses he could
not find any of his money and then he
knew he had been robbed during the
scuflle in the barroom. When he went In
TO the place ne had SILL. so Just before he
left the stable he had Sl2. but no paid the
foreman of the stable 20 certs that he
owed him. After be had been thrown out
OF the saloon he was penniless and In
that condition he went tn his home 10
greet his wife and two small children on
Christmas morning.
Mrs Powers said that her husband was
In a sort OF stupor and appeared to be un-
able to help himself. she said that she
knew he had been drugged for her bus
band was not a drinking man. He was
IN company with boy who She thought
lived on Sutton street, but she was so
provoked at the condition her husband
was in that she was not civil to the
young man that had helped her husband
home.
The facts as cleaned by Detective Mer-
rill differed in essentials to the story told
by Powers. There was enough truth 10
the story of assault. however. to warrant
the detention of the two men suspected of
having "a hand in the difficulty. They
are now at the Knight street station. One
OF them was merely spectator. so it ia
alleged. but John Murphy, the other man
detained. Is supposed TO be the one with
whom Powers had the row.
According to what the detective was
sble 20 lind out Powers had the money he
claims 20 have been robbed OF. He was
under the influence of liquor when he
entered the saloon and rendered $40 in
payment for what he drank. the bar
tender said he could not change such a
large bill so early in the morning IL was
then aoout 1880 O'Clock. Powers then
gave him dollar bill and the score was
settled.
Meanwhile Powers and Murphy wore
talking about.tho merits OF certain horses
and the argument grew animated. 10
finally eliminated by Powers being
knocked down. He is small man and
the effort to knock him over would not
be n very vigorous one. The two men
sprawled on tine floor and the bartender
separated them. Murphy was put in
chair and Powers was led TO the door
and helped into the street.
So far as the police know there was
no other assault in the saloon and no
evidence that robbery had teen commit
ted. They are OF the opinion that Powers
lost his money. He dropped IL some
where and the finder pocketed IL and
now IL is beyond the jurisdiction OF law
aud order. One thing is sure, Powers