The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-25
HE PLEADED NOT GUILTY
TO BEING AFFLICTED WITH A SER
IOUs CASE OF CATARRH.
The Peculiar Charge Against a Fire
man-Tried by the Safety Board
One Case Continued.


nifty TO refute the charges preferred against
them by Fire Chief Barrett. In some of
the cases the evidence was almost as ridic-
ulous as the testimony heard in the cases
against the policemen, and it might be said
that in some of the cases the prosecution
failed. The members Of the board and Chief
Barrett believed that the large majority
of the men would send in their resigna-
tions before their cases were called, but in
this they were fooled, for most of them
appeared at the Office OF the board with at
torneys TO fight the charges against them.
Attorney Thomas Hanna appeared for
Royal Seibert and asked for continuance,
which Chairman Roth refused to allow. at
first saying the board was not going TO be
annoyed with trying the cases next week.
After great deal of parleying continu-
ance was granted until Monday morning.
The records show Seibert has had varied
career with the fire department, having
been dismissed and reprimanded several
times.
The case of James Horn occupied most
of the day. Attorney Harry Negley ap-
peared for Horn. Horn was charged with
being indolent and with insulting other
house on Hillside avenue. Chief Barrett
was first placed upon the stand, and testi-
fed that Captain Leach. under whom Horn
served, had frequently requested Horns re-
moval for the benefit of the house. Barrett
said 1t had been reported TO him that Horn
had a habit of staring at women. Chief
Barrett also said he had heard that Horn
did not work hard at fires.
CAPTAIN LEACH'S TESTIMONY.
Captain Leach admitted having spoken
to Chief Barrett about having Horn re-
moved and that Horn had been little
backward in fighting fires. but he had only
spoken to him once about 1t. Captain
Leach said Horn had been spoken to about
talking to women in front of the engine
house. He said Horn had caused dissatis-
faction among the fremen by "joshing"
some Of them. He admitted Horn made a
good fireman. Captain Leach said some of
the firemen became offended through his
Assistant Chief Coots said he had no
ticed Horn hanging back at fires, but adj
mitted that there are many other men who
are still on the force who are afflicted in
that way.
The defense used several character wit
nesses, among them being DR.. Fl. w. Car
ter, who resides next door to the engine
Horn insulting any one and considered him
a good fireman DIR. Carter said citizens
in that neighborhood would be glad to
Horn back in the department. William
Lynch and Samuel Adair testified in favor
of Horn. Adair said he had noticed Horn
was the first fireman on the wagon when
alarms were sent in.
]. f. Miller, of No. company, said he
never became insulted at Horns "joshing'
and never wanted to go into fire with
better man than Horn.
III
the boys, but never meant to insult any
one. He claimed he always did his duty
and admitted that Captain Leach had
spoken to him about talking to woman
In front of the frehouSe. He said that
since his dismissal Captain Leach had told
him he did not know what the charges
against him were. Horn said he showed
the charges to Leach that morning and
Leach exclaimed: Il don't see how 1 can
stand for those charges"
FOR POLITICAL REASONS.
Pearson Mendenhall said he lived near
the No. engine house, and after Horn
was dismissed Captain Leach told him
Horn was let out because of political rea-
sons. Horn is Republican. Other char
acter witnesses were used and w. G. Ma
guire testified that Captain Leach had told
him in the morning that he was much sur
prised at the charges brought against
Horn. Leach admitted telling Mendenhall
the story about Horn being let out because
of political reasons but said he had heard
someone else say it. He forgot who that
someone else was. Attorney Negley
made an argument for Horn in which he
said IL mistakes had been made he knew
the board would rectify them. He re-
hearsed the testimony and said he thought
the evidence did not furnish a basis for
the charges and hoped the board would
reinstate Horn.
John Allen, colored, was placed on the
stand on charges of drunkenness and in
efficiency. Chief Barrett told of Allen hav-
ing been thrown from ladder at a fire and
receiving serious injuries, having his arm
and nose broken. He said he heard that
Allen visited saloons while of duty. Po-
lice Surgeon Christian said after Aliens
arm had been set he called another doctor,
who said the arm was not properly set and
took off the plaster cast. DR.. Christian
said this a reason why Allen
never fully recovered. Allen said he called
in another doctor because he was unable
to get DIR. Christian. He denied the
charges of drunkenness.
John V. r. Allen was charged with being
slow and inefficient. Al Van Camp, fire.
man, testified to having had trouble with
Allen because Allen turned a stream Of
water on him. He later preferred charges
against Allen and the latter was repri-
manded. Chief Barrett said Allen did not
take hold at fires he should. He said
his captains charged him with slipping
away from fires, allowing the other men
to do the work Allen spoke for himself
saying he would like TO be reinstated as
he had always tried to do his duty. Cap
tain Tanning testified that Allen had start
ed some trouble in his company.
STIEGELMEYER'S CASE.
Z. G. Stiegelmeyer called and asked If
the charges against him accused him of not
being a good fireman, or had been brought
because he did not do his duty at fires.
He was told that they did not. and that he
had always been a good fireman. Chief
Barrett said he was disturber in the de-
partment. Stiegelmeyer said rather than
bring any one else into the matter he
would plead guilty to being a djsturber.
The case of John w. Miller was called
and he was charged with illiteracy and
assaulting his father-in-law, Mr.. Richie
Attorney Joseph w. Healing stated that
as Miller had been tried before a former
board and found not guilty on the charge of
illiteracy this board had no right to re-
open the case. Chairman Roth thought
otherwise, and said this board was not
bound by the decisions of other boards.
Deputy City Attorney Bell. however, de-
cided to drop the case of illiteracy against
Miller. II was charged he could neither
read nor write. The case of assault was
brought up and tried.
AL PeaSe sent word he was entirely sat
isfied with the disposition that had been
made of his case He was in the service