Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-09-13
SAYS He WAS FOOLED
Officer Shepherds Breezy
Experience at Phoebus.
IN A HOUSE OF BAD FAME
Ae Alleges Tint He Went to the Place at
the Request of Officer Eaci.o and
Thought That Arrest
Was to he Made.

officer William Shepherd. the oldest
member of the police force OF this coun-
W. is in trouble. the result. partly. OF
u somewhat sensational affair at Phoe-
bus. about ten days ago, in which he
figured. Mr. Shepherd is now on vac;l-
ton of thirty days, and the district.
in which he has had an extensive beat
tor several years, is dependent for pro
lection upon one regular policeman.
The story of the veterans woes as
related by himself. is intensely interest
ing. but. unfortunately, the events
with which it deals are Of character
which render details out of the ques-
ton. That portion of it herewith laid
before the readers of the Daily Press
is told in order that they may have
an intelligent understanding of certain
proceedings which, it is averred, are
likely to arise at an early day. Officer
Shepherd states that While in Phoebus.
ON the afternoon of the day following
the attack upon the constableS under
Sheriff Curtis at the town JAIL on which
occasion the attacking party is alleged
70 nave been made up of Maryland
volunteers, he was requested by officer
Eacho TO accompany him to a house near
the Chesapeake d Ohio railway tracks
Although he was very tired and ark
ious to go home. having done duty
nearly all the night before. Shepherd
cheerfully consented to go with Mr..
Gacho, believing that an arrest was to
be made ard that the services of two
men We're regarded as necessary TO ac-
conpliSh it. He was teetotally unaware
of the character of the place to which
the Phoebus officer was leading him.
he says. until he entered the house
Ar. Eacho preceded him, telling him
to remain at the door. ana, after an alb
sence of perhaps five minutes. returned
ana invited him to enter. He did so.
Mr.. Eacno leading the way into a
room in which Il colored woman was
waiting apparently for the purpose of
receiving them. The girl was attract
lively attired and. advancing toward the
cordial welcome to the establishment
and asked him to be seated. BY this
time, Notwithstanding his lack of mex
perience in the ways of worldly people
IN these latter days. Mr.. Shepherd be-
gan to grow suspicious. The thought
flashed through his mind that his
gTnttr roll ce6e lfoLlt l6Skasf7l elt me atfl
and essayed to embrace him, all doubt
as to Mr.. Eacho's purpose vanished
From that time until he left the house,
a period of about fifteen minutes Mr.
Shepherd says the circumstances by
which he was surrounded were ex-
trenely embarrassing AS soon as pos
sible he made his escape and came to
this city. He is now on the bricks, but
ms friends. of whom Commonwealth
Attorney Collier is one, at least SO far
as the matter alone described is con-
cerned. are advising him TO demand an
investigation at the hands of Judge
Lee. MI Collier said last evening that
II the story as told by Officer Shepherd
is true the matter should be thorou chly
sifted No officer who is guilty of
such conduct as Mr.. Shepherd says
was practiced upon him can faithfully
perform the duties of his position and
should be dismissed from the force"
said the commonweaith'S attorney
and every good citizen of the county
Will endorse his words