The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-06-01
PLACED DEWEY UNDER ARREST.
Deputy Sheriff Plaisted, OF York NE,
Tells OF the Incident

NEW YORK. May 29.-To George r.
Plaisted, an old and highly respected re-
sident 81 York, Me. belongs the UNIQUE
distinction Of being the only man WHO
ever placed Rear Admiral George Dew
ey under arrest. An absurdly inaccuIa,e
and misleading statement as to now TINS
came about has been going the ROUNDS Oh
the press, but the facts are set forth teI-
sely and Interestingly in a letter wn ich
Mr.. Plaisted has addressed to the Chi-
cago Times Herald and which Is as lol-
lows:
YORK, Me, May 27.-To the Editor
OF The Herald: The story OF my inning
Lieutenant Dewey for assault some mir
~ years ago, which has appeared IN many
newspapers Of late, was not authorized
by me. and Is incorrect IN Its essenual
parts In the published story 1t was sald
that Lieutenant Dewey thrashed a Unit
ed Staes marine, at the Kittery navy
yard. and that Jusice Plaisted heard lhe
complaint and fined Dewey go Inc
fine. so ran the story, was promptly paiu
the Lieutenant remarking with a chuchle
as he paid over the money that II was
worth SIS to have had the pleasure OF
trashing such a disgrace to the uhi'ed
States navy.
Now. the law Of Maine gives trial
Justice Jurisdiction only 10 the extent OF
a $40 fine. in the next place, II Leuteh-
ant Dewey had assaulted a United states
marine he would have been court-mar-
tailed II tried at all. and no civil auth
GRITTY would have had jurisdiction. IhiIo-
ly. [ never was a trial justice.
The facts. however, ere these: l was
al that time q deputy sheriff In and for
the county Of York and as such arrested
Lieutenant, now Rear Admiral George
Dewey FOR an alleged assault. lie OBJ
jected 70 my making the arrest, as no
was a United States officer and claimed
that | had no authority in the premises.
did arrest him, however, and, as you
will sec by the photograph Of my sheriff $
docket. he was fined s. and costs OF
court. the costs amounting 10 $3.50 total
fine Of $3.50.
Lieutenant Dewey was then a young
man and felt quite grand with his stripes.
He has doubtless learned great deal
since then.
lie looked upon me with dlsdain and
thought a county deputy sheriff wasn't
anybody. lie was not satisfied that l
could legally arrest him, so at his sug-
gestion we repaired 20 the commodore's
office TO have that point settled.
The commodore listened while Lieuten-
ant Dewey stated his side Of the case.
he then asked me if ] was an officer,
and II so what kind. ! told him. He
asked for the warrant. ! showed 1t 10
him. Then. after prodding me with
few more questions, the commodore
turned TO Lieutenant Dewey and said:
Lieutenant, the young man Is right ana
you had better prepare for trial
That rather took the wind out OF Dew
ev's sails and I'm due time he was tired
with the result shown on the docket
Garland the complainant, was private
citizen. and Lieutenant Dewey had hit
him a lively crack on the head with a
speaking trumpet.
Thirty years have elapsed since I be-
came acquainted with Lieutenant Dewey
and but for his unparalleled victory over
the Spanish fleet at Manila 1 probably
would never have been reminded Of the
episode Of so long ago which led up TO
that acquaintance.
GEORGE r. PLAIsTED.
Money could not buy the old docket,
which shows that fits owner once placed
the great admin n under arrest and made
him step into court and toe the mark.
II is likely that the valued relic Will De
kent I'm the Plaisted family and be hand
ed down from generation 20 generation.
There Is but one other possible DISPOSE
ton OF IL. The former sheriff may pre-
sent IL TO Rear Admiral Dewey when, az
the first opportunity, he calls upon him
TO renew the acquaintance Of thirty years
ago. AS a reminder Of tho days when
he was smart feeling young Lieutenant
and shifted the salty air OF the Plscata-
ouis meadows the teltale sheriff's dock
ct would doubtless please the rear ad-
miral mightily.-Chicago Times-Herald.