The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-15
TRIALS OF PATROLMEN
THE BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
TRYING TO PROVE ITS CHARGES.
During the AII-Day Session There Are
Several Occasions for
Will BE Resumed To-Day.

ment of the courthouse was crowded with
policemen, ex-policemen. bartenders and
other trades people, who had been sum-
moned as witnesses in the trials of ex-
members of the police department who
were dismissed by the board last Decem-
Der. but were reinstated last week 10 be
formally tried. The Board of Safety acted
as a jury and court combined. with Deputy
City Attorney Bell representing the city
and Attorney John S. Duncan appearing
for a number of the ex-policemen who
brought suit to be reinstated.
All during the trial the picture presented
at the table occupied by the members of
the board was really unique. Croker
Roth actually looked dignihed, with the
exception of one brief moment. when he
forgot his position and laughed aloud at
the remark Of a witness concerning Ser
geant Lowe. Occasionally Roth would bite
his mustache, but that was seldom. Com
missioner Hyde had all the dignity Of a
chief justice Of the United States. Mr..
Hyde sat through the proceedings with a
pencil in his hand, ready to tap for order
at any time.
RINKER'S HEARING.
II CHthS SuI-Aiu6 IA GNIlStitlCh III
hearing witnesses in the case against A
ID. Rlnker. The afternoon session was de-
layed by Chairman Roth, of the board, be-
ing called before the grand jury. When
Deputy Sheriff McNulty called at the Of
flee to serve a subpoena on him the po-
lice officers denied him admission, and
when he tried to force his way IN he was
tossed half way across the basement. He
showed the official papers and was allowed
to enter. During the afternoon 1t was
agreed hat the cases against ex-Patrol-
men Butcher. Gunsolus n Kurtz should
be heard jointly with the Rinker case in
order to save time.
During the afternoon the most interest
ing bit of testimony brought out during
the entire day came when Sergeant Hyland
took the stand for a second time to correct
a statement he had made during the morn
ing against Mr.. Rinker. When first testi-
flying against Rinke the sergeant stated
he had ~reprimanded Rinker one day during
a parade of the K. of p. encampment, in
August, 1898. He claimed Rinker and Hag-
erman had been ordered to duty at the cor
ner of Meridian and Washington streets
and to occupy opposite sides of the streets.
They were found together several times,
and Sergeant Hyland was ordered TO rep
rimand the officers. In the afternoon Ser
geant Hyland again took the stand. He
said instead Of him having reprimanded
Rinker 1t was Butcher, who did duty with
Hagerman at the time named.
II will ask you. sergeant. If Mr.. Rinker
was efficient, and II you do not consider
him a good police officer?' asked Attorney
Duncan of Sergeant Hyland.
The question came as quite a surprise
after the tame testimony during the early
part of the proceedings. Superintendent
Quigley peered over the shoulder of Attor-
ney Bell, while the members of the board
| and others in the room glanced hastily
toward the witness to catch his reply.
They did not have to wait, for he almost
Immediately in an untinching
manner: Il do"
NOTHING SENSATIONAL.
The witness was then excused when the
| members of the board looked sheepishly
at Zach other and Superintendent Quigley
| settled back in his chair. There was really
nothing sensational brought out during
the proceedings. but many interesting and
laughable bits of testimony were offered
Nearly every witness from the police de-
partment who testified against Rinker and
the other three ex-patrolmen said they
we're ~disorganizers and because of their
getting together in what they called the
"Ku Klux" crowd they had exercised q
demoralizing influence on the entire de-
II pdIIu1enI. lncSe WlllGSScS CdIlc VII SuCI
rapidity that Attorney Duncan was finally
driven to a point where he was DESTROYS
of knowing just who was demoralized. II
came to Lawrence Hanlon TO answer the
question and he was at first stunned with
the unexpected query, but he spoke up an
said he was demoralized together with
others. This brought forth a burst Of
laughter from those in the room.
When the taking of testimony begar
Captain awson was the first witness call.
ed. He said Rinker with others would
wink at each other during roll call, which
was very demoralizing to the force. H
said he thought Rinker posed as the lead
er of the -disorganizers. On c-ross-examina'
ton Captain Dawson said he did not know
that an organization existed among a few
to disorganize the force, but he meant Il
such an organization existed Ii would bt
demoralizing. On further questioning Cap
tain Dawson said there had not been much
talk to him about the alleged disorganizer;
Until lately. When recalled to the stanC
he told of taking Kurtz's keys from him
Sergeant o Lowe said he noticed the
winking and laughing of Rinker and other:
in the ~roll-call room and they seemed II
make light Of orders. He observed the mer
gathering In groups and when he approach
ed their conversation ceased. On cross
examination Mr.. Duncan brought out tn,
fact that Rinker was stationed at River
side Park for six months prior to the city
election and had not been present at rol
call.
Patrolman C. B. Hillman said he heard
| Rfnker make SngntinS remarks ABOUT tnt
Board of Safety and also saw the alleged
d-isorganizers, of which Rinker was a mem
Der. get together and do things demoraliz
ing to the force.
ALLEGED TROUBLE.
Detective Thomas Dugan told abou
trouble Rinker admitted he had had witt
a woman on the South Side, with whom h,
was in the habit OF drinking while of
duty. This was stricken out as it tool
place about -four years ago.
Patrolman Thomas Rockford testified Il
hearing Rinker speak OF Dawson as
- old fool and hasn't got sense enough
to be a captain The witness said he ais,
heard Rinker speak OF Sergeant Boylal
as a 'chucklehead." On cross-examina
ton he said he and Rinker were enemies
not having spoken for a year, and the con
versation concerning Dawson and Boylal
took place two years age. He said moth
ing about IL until he was sent for by tn
superintendent and asked what he knew
about the discharged men making remark
about the department.
Patrolman John 4. Johnson said he hai
heard Rinker say he would be ashamed I
take any of his friends 10 roll call an
hear Captain Dawson read the reports
The witness also claimed Rinker made
remark that a policeman had 10 be a Cath
Ollie and wear a cross on his back" befor
superintendent Quigley would give him
good district. He also referred 10 the de
moraiizing influence of those who "congre
gated" ergeant Frank Giblin ,estifie
10 having seen Rinker In the rear roor
Of Barnes's saloon on Southeastern avenu
one afternoon last December and tina
Rinker was In full uniform. He saw n
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