The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-04-20
The Complaint Made Against Film Was
That Of Exposure Of Person.
GIRL FAILED TO IDENTIFY HIM.
He Was Then Released From CUSTODY and Suisse
QusniIy Began Sui-Tesiimony introduced
During Trial TodaJ-konsuIi Denied.

The trial OF Pierre D'Hincourt's suit
10 recover $4,000 damages from Chief
Of Police John Bigbee OF Cranston for
alleged malicious prosecution was be-
gun before a jury in Judge Wilbur's
court this morning. The plaintiff
claims he was arrested by the town
sergeant on a charge OF exposure OF
person and that the charge was with
out any foundation whatsoever. He
was refused food though locked up for
many hours, he claims. and though sick
he was refused a blanket
Mr. DHincourt testified he was a
| teacher i'm a school Of languages where
noon of Saturday. September End. 1898,
Detective Cannon came TO the school
and told him ne was wanted at the city
hall for some funny business" At the
city hall witness met Detective Parker.
who told witness that Chief of Police
Bigbee wanted him. Bigbee asked If
he. witness. was German and music
teacher, rode bicycle and wore BIZ
cycle suit. Witness gave negative
answer TO all these questions, claiming
that he was a French man, never
taught music nor did he possess a BIZ
cycle suit.
Mr.. D'HincoArt was told by Chief
Bigbee ne would have TO go to Grams
ton and though Mr.. D'Hincourt sug-
gested a number OF parties for the po-
lice TO telephone to- one being a Mr..
Aldrich of the East side. who would
give him such a character that il
would be impossible for him to be cons
sidered as guilty OF such a charge.
When the Cranston lookup was reached
the plaintiff said he informed the chief
that he was sick and wanted glass OF
water, but this was refused and also
blanket. Witness had yellow jaundicc
and had shortly before his arrest been
under the care of two doctors. About
noon the following day, Sunday, the
chief took him TO the house of the
Kerr girl on Elmwood avenue where
the girl said he was not the man. on
the way TO the girls home the chief ac-
cording TO witness, said, II know where
you got your sickness" and implied ba I
moral character. When the plaintiff
was on his way to the lookup in Grams
ton he wanted to have an investigation
and Mr.. Bigbee said he guessed he
knew what he had To do.
After the girl refused to identify the
plaintiff Mr.. Bigbee said he was sorry:
twenty years and asked witness into
his house for breakfast.
DR.. Moore testified that about Sep
tember TO- 1898 he treated the plaintiff
for jaundice. The plaintiff here rested.
4 motion for a non-suit on the
ground that the plaintiff had not shown
a warrant had been issued was denied.
Chief of Police Bigbee testified that
he came to the city hall on the evening
of Sept. 10. 1898, having earlier i'm the
day left a warrant with Detective
Swan. Witness did not recall any con-
versation at city hail with plaintiff,
but thought that Detective Swan said:
The man says he is not guilty" Mr..
Bigbee denied refusing Mr. D'Hincourt
food, water or blanket The informa-
tiOn that led to the swearing out of the
warrant came from the cnild's father,
who had reported the case. The name
brought by The father WAS tnHr or rrC
plaintiff and witness thought he had n
sure case. Plaintiff after his arrest
wrote the name of man who might
CONTINUED on Page Two.)