The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-07-27
OFFICER TOOK 4 DRINK
Charges PreferredAgainst Lough-
ran by Robert Osmond.
WAS SAID TO BE DRUNK
An Investigation by the Police Com
mittee - He Ordered Drinks and
Wouldn't Pay for Them.
Didn't Know the Rules.

Ihere was anOtner investigation by
the police committee last evening, Of
icer Dave I~.oughran, another Of the
new men, being on the carpet. Robert
OsInond of No. 1919 East First street
preferred a charge against him OF
drunkenness and conduct unbecoming
an officer. Only the mayor n Alder
men Ferns and Britt were present. and
before the investigation started Alder
man Ferns suggested that the inves-
tigation be adjourned inasmuch as a
quorum was not present. He did not
think those present should assume all
the responsibility.
THE fact that the others are not
here said the mayor. shows their
willingness to throw the responsibility
on us. The witnesses have been called
here, and / think we SHOULD go ahead
and take the testimony. and. If we
choose, let the council decide the mat
ter"
So ii was decided to take the testi-
mony and report to the council. Mr..
Osmond then told his story. as follows:
About 3 o'clock on the morning OF
July a going home with two
friends. As we went down Arizona
street we saw officer Loughran stand
ing behind some of the evergreen trees.
He Joined us and asked us into the Cop
per State saloon to rave a drink. /
said / had enough, but he insisted, and
so we went in with him i took a
cigar. Mr.. ~Shackleton also took a cigar
and said to the policeman, Well, here's
to YOU The policeman said. You are
not drinking on me-
we all insisted that he had asked
us, but he said he did not, and began
to abuse US. / said rather than have
trouble / would pay for the drinks. and
did so. Mr.. Peterson. who had been in
the saloon when we went in, said the
officer certainly asked him to have a
drink, and I've thought he ought TO pay
for them. Then he arrested Peterson
and the rest Of us. He went to the door
and blew his whistle. Peterson said
il was not necessary to blow his whis-
tie, that all would go with him peace
ably. We ~tarted up the street, and
got up a block or two. when the officer
stopped and asked, How did this play
come up. anyway. Peterson said that
was what hc was trying to find out.
The officer then let us go. We asked
him his name. but he would not tell
us. Then we asked his number. and
he said II was SO. l knew there was no
sue numbei, and / tried to see his
badge. He tried to cover it up. but I
saw that the number was 20. After the
officer let T.. go, we went back to the
Copper State saloon and had another
drink. The officer threw down a 500 bill
M said ju~t to show he vas no bloke
he would buy a drink for himself"
was the officer drunk? ?"
HE was either drunk or crazy. He
staggered around. but did not fall. I
had drank 4 beer or two, but was never
drunk i'm my life. 1 only saw the Of
ficer drink une glass of beer"
What were you up so late for?"
W had heard that the Spanish feet
was DESTROYED and were watching the
bulletin board"
Peter Peterson said: IT was in the
Copper State saloon with Gus Finch
drinking a glass of beer on our way
home. The officer and three others
came in. We started to go out and got
to the door when the officer TOOK me
by the arm end said. Come back and
AVE a drink with us We had a drink
n then an argument as to who was
To pay for l. Osmond said IL made no
difference who ordered the drinks. HI
would pay T. I them. The officer denied
that he had ordered the drinks. | said
he had certainly invited me then
started to go home, and he grabbed me
n told me / was under arrest. 7
asked him what for. and he said !
would find cut. Some one told him he
had better go out on his beat and at
tend to business. and then he said he
would take the whole gang to jail. He
blew his whistle. I thought IL was al
a farce and started home. He grabbed
me n said ] must go to Jail. We
walked with him a block or two and
then he STOPPED. We told him to come
on II he vas arrestine us and let us
get our bonds. He asked how the play
came up, anyway l told him to come
en- n find out. He refused to take us
any further We went back to the Cop
per State and had another drink. l do
not remember seeing him in the second
time.
Didn't you say you would stand in
together and cinch the Irish?" asked
the accused officer.
N such remark was made" said
Peterson. after you released us one
of the party-I don't remember who
remarked that charges ought to be
| preferred against the officer"
WAS / drunk?'
Il considered you So"
Weren't you drunk?"
II had had not to exceed four drinks
all night"
ALI Finch c~orroborated the testimony
of the other witnesses. He was with
Peterson in the saloon when the Off
Ger and the other three came in. The
officer asked them all to drink There
vas a dispute and Osmond paid for The
drinks. Then all were arrested except
Finch, but he wen along, 90. for the
purpose of going on Peterson's bonds
The story of this witness was the same
1 Il