The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-10-25
PATROLMAN in TROUBLE
WI. TOMPkINS, COLORED, CHARGED
WITH AssAULTING A WHITE GIRL.
Ellen Cutter, the POliceman's Accuser
Her Story as Related to the PO-
lice Superintendent.

William F. Tompkins, colored policeman,
twenty-five years old, living at No. 51S
Minerva street, was arrested last night by
the order of Superintendent Quigley on the
charge of assaulting Mary Ellen Cutter,
a white girl. twenty years old and a serv-
ant in the family of Samuel X. Hammerly,
of No. 1927 North Illinois street. The as
sault is said TO have taken place last Sat-
urday, but the first intimation the police
department received of it came Monday
morning in the shape of an anonymous
letter sent to the superintendent by one Of
the neighbors, who reported that the ac-
tons OF a colored policeman on North Hi
nois street above Fall creek ought to be
investigated.
The story. as related by Miss Cutter. is
that Mrs. Hammerly was called out of the
city last Thursday and before going asked
Tompkins to watch the house with more
care than usual, as the servant was all
alone during the daytime and it was
lonely neighborhood. During the same aft
crnoon Tompkins made his first visit to the
house and remarked to the girl that Mrs
Hammerly had asked him TO watch the
house, and that if he did good job Of
watching he could have the girl" The girl
says she repelled the slight advances he
made, and after asking for a glass of water
he left, only to return on Friday afternoon,
when Miss Cutter alleges that he kissed
her and finally asked her to marry him.
She threatened to have him arrested If he
did not leave her alone, but he told her
that if she made any trouble he would NIX
her, and she, being ,unsophisticated.
thought she had no relief at hand: ON Sat
urday afternoon, she says, Tompkins came
again. and after making a complimentary
remark on her appearance dragged her into
an adjoining room and assaulted ner. she
did not tell any one about the affair. On
Sunday Tompkins did not come as usual,
but on Monday afternoon he returned
but the girl says she locked the door and
drew the curtains so he would think the
house was deserted. She says ne went
away after several attempts TO gain ad-
mittance.
ceived at the police station superintendent
Quigley ordered Captain Dawson to call
Tompkins into the office and explain the
matter. Tompkins denied having. entered
the house at all and said he mad simply
watched the house according to the re-
quest Of Mrs. Hammerly. In making his
report Captain Dawson expressed the BELIEF
said the matter warranted a closer investi-
CATION, as "Tompkins had sweat blood
while being questioned. Superintenaent
to talk to Miss Cutter, who admitted that
Tompkns had made himself obnoxious to
her. but did not say that he had assaulted
her The report pei h nrdered tbe girl
brought to the station, where, on being
questioned, she told the story as reiated
above. The girls parents live at NO. ZSlo
Rowland avenue and have not been in
formed of the affair as yet Tompkins Is
single and has enjoyed good reputation.
He was formerly porter In Lamberts drug
admits much of the charge, but denies hay-
ing assaulted Miss Cutter.