Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-09-21

Ing DOdTI VI NOiD
bold a special meeting Friday for
the purpose of ascertainipg whether
any member of the police force had
been derelict in his duty in connection
= with the apprehension Of Edward Hin
son, colored, better known az Winder,
charged with the larceny of set Of
harness, the property of Francis Il.
Vincent of No. II West Twenty third
street.
The harness was stolen on August
31st and recovered on September Sth,
about week afterward. and on Sep
TENDER 18th, last Tuesday, Hinson was
arrested by Patrolman John F. WEIGH,
who had been detailed on tine case that
day.
President Pyle of tho board presided
and conducted the major portion of the
OK animation Of witnesses. Mr.. Vim
cont, owner of tho harness, the first
witness called, detailed the facts con-
corning the larceny and recovery of tho
harness, SO far as he could. He dis
covered his loss on August 3lst and on
the following Saturday, September I'd,
at 2 O'Clock. p. M. he reported his loss
to Capt. Kane, giving description of
the harness. He had no idea who had
taken the harness. He and his sons
worked up clues. On Sunday morn
ing, September Sd, Officer Sheehy went
to his house to obtain information.
The officer was told that Mrs. James
Logue and Ler son had seen a young
negro go past their house with harness
and that the harness had been taken
away from a sand pit at Concord ave-
nue. and Washington street by man
on a cart. On the same day Mr.. Vim
cents son drove to Sixth and Union
streets, after seeing the officer, and saw
man supposed to know something
about the harness. Capt. Kane was
Immediately acquainted with the facts
and during the afternoon Officer j.
Harry Massey, detailed by Capt. Kane,
accompanied young Vincent to the
western part Of the city, but the thief
was not located. On September 9Th
young Vincent learned that team
owner named Woodland had the harness
and Vincent had been informed that he
had purchased the harness. Francis
Vincent went to the stable of a man
named Woodland. in the rear of No.
1881 West Fourth street, where he saw
his harness. Learning Woodland
name he reported to Capt. Kane, who
detailed Officer j.. Harry Massey on the
case and the officer went to the stable
and saw the harness. Subsequently a
warrant was obtained and on Friday,
September Sth, the harness was OBJ.
tanned Mr.. Vincent was informed OF
September Sd that a negro known a;
Winder was suspected of the theft anc
his son SO informed Capt Kane on tina
day, about o'clock Sunday afternoon
Early on that day Vincent heard Win
der tell another colored man that b,
obtained the harness at Tyres quarry
The complaint made out by CAPT
Kane set forth that the harness wa
missed between August 18th and 2sth
while Mr.. Vincent said it was no
missed until August 3lst. Mr.. Vincen
made out he noticed the dates wer
Goth and 2Sth, but although he though
the dates were not right signed tn
complaint.
Capt. Kane said on September 2
Mr.. Vincent complained to him abou
losing the harness and he made out th
complaint. The complaint was mad
at 4. Is o'clock and was read out to tn
third section men at 5 O'Clock. Th
captain did not remember that he CAV
the complaint to any man that evenin
or read it out the next morning to tn
first section men. The complaint wa
on file and was kept there to be rea
out to the men on all sections. He di
UUt E6tu6luDtT WltJubT IL was Ttdu VI
on Sunday to the men on any OF I'll
sections. In the afternoon Mr. Vincei
was at the station and said he unde
stood the harness had been taken by
colored man whose name he did n,
know hut who, he thought, lived in ii
vicinity of Sixth and Lincoln street
At about 3 o'clock Officer j. Hair
Massey accompanied Mr.. Vincent's 81
to the western part of the city, but W
unable to find the man. The capita
did not think Mr.. Vincent had me
toned the name of the suspect, b
Mr.. Vineent's son said he suspected
man named Winder living about N
COB Lincoln street. Concerning I
dates in the complaint. August 26
and 28th. the captain said he record
the complaint as he received it.
said Officer j, Harry Massey had be
sent out as he thought he knew Wi
der and Winder's name had been give
On Sunday afternoon he gave the CO
plant to third section officer and Il
him to see Mr.. Vincent about 1t.
did not see the complaint again un
September 9Th, when Mr.. Vincent
appeared at the police station and 50
he believed his harness was at I
stable in the rear of No. 1881 W
Fourth street, and Officer j. Hal
Massey was detailed again and saw
harness there.
Mr.. Pyle asked whether it was Ct
tomary to allow complaints in LARGE
cases to remain out for FIVE days,
which the captain replied that
matter was governed by circumstan
and he knew the men were looking
Winder and had not found him. VII
the complaint was out the captain /
told officers to keep an eye on the pay
shops and secondhand stores. Al
the harness had been located it '
taken to the police station by Ca
Kane's order. The captain said
complaint was not on file during
five days. 1t was in the hands of
district officers. He said it was
returned to him during that period
any officer. After the harness was
covered, Woodland, the team own
having said he purchased the harr
from Winder, Capt, Kane advised
Vincent to swear out o warrant
Winder. which was done. On three
four occasions the captain told
officers under him that Winder was S
pebted and told them to bring hin
il they could find him. Officer
Harry Massey spent two hours the
following the recovery of the hart
looking for Winder.
Capt. Kane said he believed he
talked over the matter to Capt. CHI
hers on the night of September Sd
told him Winder was suspected of
theft and he never lost sight of