The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-08-14
GoDBoLD AND DIVER SCRAP.
Dismissed by Police Commission for
UnbecOmfng Conduct.

terday between Cornelius NJ. MalphUs,
manager of the Philadelphia Loan Com
pany, and Albert Harrison, colored, who
lives at No 233 Duffy street lane, the ne
gro was badly bruised up, Malphus was
arrested for assault with intent TO muir
der. Frank Anderson, colored. was vio-
lently assaulted by Malphus and to wind
1t up, Policeman G. S. Godbold and Larry
Dwyer got into a dispute over the affair,
attempted to use their pistols while on
duty, and when tried by the Police Com
mission last night, were both dismissed
from the force.
1t was unfortunate that the officers be-
came involved in a dispute over the mat
ter. as they did things on the spur Of
the moment, which they regretted a mo-
ment later. They We're coming in from
their divisions in the southern section at
the time the fight between Malphus and
the negro Harrison took place. The diff
Guilty attracted a crowd and both the
officers, who were mounted. together with
Policemen Fleming and Atkinson, were
on the scene.
When the excitement was over the four
officers started away together. An ex-
change of words between Godbold and
Dwyer as to Malphus' character brought
on hot words and threatened an encoun-
ter with pistols. Godbo1d drew his pis-
tol first. and throwing it on Dryer said:
III You draw that pistol on me, Dwyer,
I'll shoot"
The fight between Malphus and the ne
gro Harrison started the trouble between
the policemen. Harrison and Anderson
lave in house in Duffy street lane, which
they rent from Malphus, and as he seems
to have had some trouble collecting his
rent, he went there early in the day TO
GUST the negroes. He ordered Harrison,
who claims to be a boarder with Ander-
son, to remove all furniture into the
street and clear the house as quickly as
possible. As there was no legal process
for this, the negro refused. Malphus is
said to have started the trouble by strik-
ing him in the face with brass knucks
What took place before Is not known, but
good portion of the household goods
were scattered in the lane, and the general
appearance of things gave evidence of a
sort of sweep The fight attracted Mount
ed Policemen Dwyer and Fleming and
Policeman Atkinson. Malphus had left
before they got there, however, and they
were discussing what to do when Police
man Godbold rode up
barracks when beckoned to by a negro.
who pointed in the lane and said there was
fight Galloping to the scene Cfodbold
found his services were not needed but
asked where Malphus went The officers
agreed he was responsible and after tell
ing the negro to obtain a warrant for him,
they rode in the direction of West Broad
street.
That fellow Malphus is a fighting crack
err" Godbold is reported TO have jovially
remarked.
HE is a bluff and coward to have
struck that negro with knucks, and like
the balance of you" Dwyer is reported as
saying.
Larry, he'll fight any man. He'll fight
you If you insult him, and if you amt a
good man, he'll lick you,' said Godbold.
You and him both can't lick one side
of me-" said Dwyer.
This parleying continued until Dwyer
said:
mo, sir; you ana that fellow, too. can't
whip me, and If you say so, you're a
liar"
This ended the talking part of the af-
fair. and reaching over to Dryer, who
rode alongside, Godbold punched
him in the face. Dwyer quickly reigned
down his horse, reached for his gun and
was unfastening the holster, when Cod
bold leveled his pistol at Dwyer and told
him to go no further AS Dwyer seemed
unable to get out his pistol, he stopped
at this stage of the affair, and left the
other officers, going toward the barracks
ahead of them.
In the forenoon Godbold went to Chief
McDermott and explained the affair He
was told that both he and Dwyer would
be placed on the docket. Chief McDer-
mott notified Commissioners Vetsburg and
| Gleason about the matter and a meeting
was set for 6 o'clock to try the officers,
! together with two others on the docket
| for infractions.
The commissioners investigated the diff
ficulty closely, but they soon came to the
conclusion both should be discharged.
Dwyer has been on the force about eigh-
| teen years and has been faithful in the
discharge of his duties, and enjoys the
| distinction of never having been docketed
before for any violation.
Godbold has also made an efficient off,
| GER He has been on the detective force,
| knows all the duties of an officer, and has
succeeded well in holding down crime in
his division. The commissioners realized
| the fight was the result of monetary
spassion, but are steadfast in their determ-
ination to maintain discipline among the
men, and did not therefore wish TO dis
| criminate.
THE fact the men were on duty had
much to do with their discharge" said
| Chief McDermott last night THE depart
ment cannot be run If the police fan out
and fight and the commissioners express
| ed their intention of acting summary in
cases of this kind. 1 regret to lose good
officers but it cannot be helped where
| they so far forget themselves as to get in
| this sort of thing"
The affair did not end with Malphus aft
er his fight to evict Harrison, however.
He returned to the house a short time
after the officers left, and had a difficulty
with his tenant Anderson, who is about
60 years of age. The old negro feared he
would be attacked by Malphus, and con-
suited an attorney, who advised him to OBJ
| tain a peace warrant He did not do this,
! but returned home. Malphus showed up
soon after, and ordered him to vacate the
house at once He Is said to have refused
unless there was legal process. as he had
paid his rent Maphus claimed the old
man attempted to strike him with club.
Whether there was provocation or not,
Malphus punched the negro also pounded
him in the head with hammer, until he
presented a bloody spectacle.
Anderson took out a warrant before JUS