The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-08-04
WHY HE LOST BUTTONS
PATROLMAN l.. w. MONTGOMERY DIS
MISSED BY POLICE BOARD.
There Were Mitigating Circum-
stances. but the Board Was OBJ
durate-WOrks Board.

l.. W. Montgomery, colored patrolman,
was dismissed from the police force by the
Board of Safety yesterday afternoon.
Montgomery is a Republican and was APP
pointed about three years ago, and is said
TO have made a good officer. The charge
against him was intoxication Thursday
night at roll call Montgomery and Carter
Temple, his running mate, received in
structions to watch certain house in
their district that had been robbed and
Montgomery being the senior officer, the
order was given to him. The two patrol
men seem to have had some differences at
the police station and after roll call when
they started for their district, which lies
between College avenue and Pennsylvania
street, north of Eleventh street. Mont
gomery went north on Alabama street
from Washington street while Temple in
sisted on going to Pennsylvania street and
then north.
Montgomery walked slowly north and
Temple seeing that he would not go by way
CT Pennsylvania street, returned to police
headquarters and reported that Mont
gomery would not go on his district with
him. Sergeant Warren was detailed to go
after Montgomery and. in company with
Temple, they overlook him on Alabama
street. The offending patrolman was re-
turned to the police station, where he was
held for Superintendent Quigley to in
vestigate and charges of intoxication were
preferred against him yesterday morning.
At the trial yesterday when the charges
were read to Montgomery he said he was
guilty to a certain degree. He said that
before supper he took a pitcher of beer to
his home and drank ii there and that was
all. The board recently made a rule that
intoxication, even If 1t be the first offense,
is sufficient breach of discipline for, dis
n
manner and was dismissed, but the board
was not unanimous in its decision. The
rule had to be adhered to. but Wilson S.
McMillen said the action did not meet his
approval.
When Montgomery was told that he was
dismissed he sank into a chair and cried
like a child. He said it meant his ruin as
he had always maintained good standing
with everyone and especially in the several
lodges of which he is a member. One lodge
was named for him. After he had quoted
| he said his purpose in pleading guilty as
he did was in the hope that he would be
released with reprfmand and fine. He
| admits that he was disrespectful to Ser
eeant Warren when he came after him. but
said the action was so unwdrranted that
his anger broke out. Although Ii is the
| rule of the board that a plea of guilty is
| sufficient evidence for dismissal, Sergeant
| Warren was placed on the stand to tell in
what manner Montgomery was disrespect-
| ful, while that complaint was not embodied
| In the charges
| The record of the Board of Safety shows
| that charges were never before preferred
| against Montgomery. Superintendent Quig-
/ ley said the patrolman has made few
| little mistakes the same as any man is apt
| tc do but charges were never entered
against him. Other than this he said Mont
/ gomery had made good officer and stood
| well morally before his appointment
| Superintendent Quigley said he felt sorry
| for Montgomery and would like to see him
| given another chance, but knew his efforts
| would avail nothing with the board.
| Frank Smith, Herbert Fulmer and Or
| lando Wesby. firemen. who have been on
| sixty days probation, were confirmed in
| their appointments.