Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1899-09-30
Officers Reinstated

| Officer Charles Pitzer again dons the
| police helmet and uniform and goes forth
vested with full authority 10 keep the
peace in the city of Martinsburg as a
trusted official. The council has re-in-
stated him on the police force after sus-
pension of several days.
The council met in session Tuesday
evening to hear the charges resting against
him OF not performing his duty as an
officer Of the corporation at the Queen
street crossing on last Wednesday even
ing. After examining a number of wit
nesses, Council voted to re-instate him on
the police force.
The meeting Of the Council was held in
the Firernan's Hall, the council chamber
not being of sufficient size to accumulate
the large number of witnesses and spec
tators. Mayor Henshaw called the meet
ing to order and Clerk Lambert called the
roll. The following councilmen answered
to the call, Wolfes, Brandenburg, Parks,
Eversole. Kline, Roberts, McQuilken,
Shoafstal and Rentch.
The proceedings were then begun by
the examination of the witnesses. Fiji
teen witnesses were examined. DR.. J. A.
Hoffhens was the first witness on the
stand. He stated he knew nothing what
ever in reference to the case and was per-
mitted to retire. He was followed in sue
cession by w. F. Hoffheins. Rob't.
North, Theo Buser, c Dutrow, Kilbourn,
Tim O'Connel. Leonard Linthicain, Geo
Gaver, James Hartley, Clearance McGin-
mis-, Yontz, A. f. Lambert, Charles Pit
ger and O. G.. Dutrow.
All the witnesses, who were near the
railroad when the officers came out, tes-
tilted that SO far as they knew no one told
the officers what the trouble was when
they arrived.
The two witnesses, Messrs. kilbourn
and McGinnis who were at SnC dgras's
drug store when the officers arrived in
front of the store, stated that they told the
officers who did the shooting and pointed
out Thompson before he had gotten out
of sight Mr.. McGinnis testified that
when he had given the account of the oc-
currence, Mr.. Pitzer, through some mis-
understanding or some other reason,
started out in the direction of the watch
box Dutrow started after Thompson,
who was still in sight and who was gong
out the street at slow gait.
The following, briefly, is what Officer
Pitzer said on the witness stand; "Short-
| ly after six o'clock | was sitting in front
of the Police office and while there
heard the telephone bell ring. Mr.. Lam
ert answered the call and notified me that
there was shooting scrape at the cross
ling. | and officer Dutrow started out in
| that direction and when wearrived no one
would tell us what the trouble was. We
went from the corner to Mr.. Gaver and
he wouldn't tell. We then went to the
drug store and there | was told to go
back to the watch box and | went. Mr.
Dutrow remained at the drug store.
noticed Mr.. Thompson fixing the shaft.
He appeared to be intoxicated, but was not
bosterous.
Officer Dutrow testified about the same
as Mr.. Pitzer, except that he said he
started out after Thompson, but couldn' t
see him.
After all the witnesses had been exam
ined Mr.. Kline moved that Officer Pitzer
be reinstated, and SO far as those same
charges against Officer Dutrow were con-
cerned, that he too be reinstated All
nine of the councilmen voted in favor of
the motion, after which the Council adj
journed.
Another special meeting was held
riday evening at 7. 80 O'Clock for the pur
pose of trying the charges against Officer
Dutrow for fighting and for conduct I'M
becoming an officer of the corporation.
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