New-York tribune., 1899-07-07
POLICEMAN O'BRIEN HELD.
HIS COUNSEL CHARACTERIZEs THE
CHARGE OF RoBBING CAPTAIN
RHoADs's BODY AS A GI-
GANTIC CONSPIRACY.


Of the West one-hundred- and-twenty-hfth-s
station. was held IN SIS. 600 bail for examination
at the Harlem Court by Magistrate Pool yes
terday There seemed to be abundant PROOF
that O'Brien stole a gold watch. with chain ana
locket and sum OF money from the BODY OF
Captain George 3. Rhoads on June 10 aiter
Captain Rhoads had been run over and Killed
by an electric car at Elghth-ave. and One-hun-
dred-and thirty -thrd-st. OBrien was in uni
form and on police duty at the time
Many people Of the city were shocked yester-
day by the report Of the case. which was re-
earded as a striking revelation of the extent OF
police Generalization and reckessness. Wnen
policemen began TO rob the bodies or dead per-
sons left in their care, 1t was said the people
Of the city could have no faith in the ability OF
the force 10 protect the living from violence and
plunder. The only protection that could be eX-
pected OF the police. it was declared. was that
protection which violators of the law paid for,
and that sort of protection meant blackmail and
extortion
OFFICIAL CARELESSNESS.
There seems TO have been gross official care
lessness on the part Of superior officers IN
O'Brien's case. He was not arrested until nearly
q month after the watch and money had been
stolen from Captain Rhoads's body, and the ar
brother Of Captain Rhoads had not given infor-
nation Of OBriens guilt.
O'Brien was called from his home 10 the police
station at 6:45 p. m. on Wednesday. There was
an examination in the captains room Captain
steinkamp Inspector Kane and Roundsman
Dunn being present and Chief Devery at the
other end Of a telephone at Police Headquarters
hearing the conversation. Then OBrien was
suspended and placed under arrest. his shield,
fire keys, revolver and club being taken from
him. When he was searched he tried to throw
away a pawn ticket which showed that he had
pawned a watch at Drucheimer's shop, NO 2lUo
Third-ave. on June "a, for $50.
When OBrien was deprived Of his badge and
keys he turned to Captain Steinkamp and said
what are you going to do? Are you trying to
run me out OF the force?"
Yes" Captain stenkamp Is said to have re-
piled, I'VE will , just that II you are guilty OF
this thing
O'Brien was loc ed up on the charge of being
A Suspicious SON At o'clock yesterday
morning he was taken from his cell and bundled
into a patrol wagon with the other prisoners and
taken to the Harlem Court. where he was placed
in the prison pen without any discrimination.
He asked IL his mother or brother were In court
They were not. His brother is said to be a
prominent physician of Harlem, DR. NJ. c.
OBrien. and his mother a wealthy woman.
A PosTPoNEMENT GRANTED
Emanuel NJ Friend appeared for OBren
when ne was arraigned and asked for post
ponement OF the examination until next Mon
day, for the purpose OF getting evidence Mag
istrate Pool granted this request but said that,
on account Of the seriousness OF the charge
against a sworn public officer. he would be
compelled to place the bail at $1,000 Mr.. Friend
tried 10 get this reduced, but the Magistrate
was obdurate. After the arraignment OBrlen
was taken back TO his cell. Mr. Friend said to
the reporters: This is gigantic police con-
spiracy. hope 10 be able to establish oeyono
doubt that O'Brien is not only innocent or this
charge but that he is deserving of commenda-
ton"
Captain Steinkamp said that the case was
great shock TO him. MY attention was first
called 10 the case through article In one
of the newspapers about the theft OF Captain
Rhoadss watch. I began an investigation. ana
the suspicion soon rested on O'Brien. who, with
Policeman Muller was present at the une OF
the accident. OBrien, we founo "ent 10 70 'ie
hospital with the ambulance. l was positive OF
O'Hrien's guilt. and was only waiting TO ma
Captain Rhoadss brother, so as 70 nave com
plainant. Several calls were made al ms oIilce, ,
but we were unable to find him. In the mean
time, Mr. Rhoads went to Police Headquarters
and saw Inspector Kane who put Roundsman
Dunn on the case. ..
that O'Brien made at his examination In the
captains room. which would come out later
He said that OBren had been sood ofiicer. 1,,'n.
OBren is about thirty years old and nves
with his wife and child. at No. 2oof seventh
ave. His father was policeman LOT tWeHty
eight years. O'Brien went on the force Oh No-
vember 13. 1895.
Il am fearless in this prosecution the cap
tain continued, and would Keep right on IL ne
were my own SON. An Investigation we maoe
resulted in our finding that that watch was
originally pawned on June 10 under the name
of Reynolds but on June "a O'Brien went 10
the shop and said he had lost the ticket On a naS
disclosing his real identity. ne signed an aii-
davit and received new ticket
oBRIEN CALLS ON Mr.. RHoADs.
Benjamin T. Rhoads jr.. Of No. l56 Broad
uav brother Of the Captain. appeared as COM
nlainant in court In bis aff1davit he says that
about two weeks ago O'Brien brought to him
the watch chain and two lockets, and said ne
,ook them from Captain Rhoads in the amou-
lance but was sorry for what ne had zone, anu
wanted TO give the things back he t0io . aooue
nsu,n,ne the watch, and said ne would return
that as soon as he got his monthly pay, anu
could redeem IT, Mr.. Rhoads said that ne ao.
vised him to keep his mouth smut Du' oiuh
nrornise that he wouldn't prosecute
Thn watch was produced in court at the ar
raienment and shown TO Mr.. Rhoads. but while
he declared he was morally certain II ,1S ma VI. ur
on. that belonged TO his brother, he could not
ou,ear 70 il because he had never examined II
minutely. Mr.. Miller Of No. loo Broaowa!,
who was Captain Rhoadss clerk was asked 10
identify the watch but he gave the sai,e an
ever as Mr.. Rhoads had given. II was oecldeo
10 cali the man who sold the watch TO captain
Rhoads at the hearing next Monday. -
Ar3dayits from Thomas j. Malone, clerk IN
,ha navnhroker's establishment. who was also
present in court; Inspector Kane Roundsman an
Dunn Charles Goeckle. barber, VINO say h ne
80, the watch on Captain RhOadss person oe-
fore the accident. and from Policeman Muller
,.ho testified aboGt the accident. were submit
ted - 81. nr,s,rer
annesred before Magistrate Pool In the after-
noon and offered bail. She presented the deeds
Of three pieces Of property two IN Manha,tan-
ave and one in West One-hundred ana twenty
e,xthst. all valued at $4,000. The deeds
rrorsS n he IN the name OF her husband. She
explained that the property had neen ieit 70 ies
ri Afnsri iotr %