The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-10-20
DAWSON NOT TO BLAME
THE SAFETY BOARD ExONERATES
HIM AFTER A TRIAL.
The Charges Were Preferred by John
Reddington--Can Examine
Consumers Books.

Captain Charles F. Dawson. of the police
department, was completely exonerated by
the Board of Safety yesterday after his
trial on the charges filed against him by
John H. Reddington, of the city engineers
office Reddington claimed that he was
standing at the corner of Meridian and
Washington streets the night Of the allie
gorical parade during the carnival. and
when Captain Dawson rode up to drive the
crowds back so that the parade could pass
Reddington grabbed the bride of Dawson's
horse to prevent himself being injured, and
the captain struck him across the face.
After the evidence was heard in the case
the board ordered the following to be en-
tered upon the minuts:
while the board deplores that any one
should be injured by police officer in the
discharge of mis- duty. the circumstances in
the present case are such, in the opinion
of the board, as to exonerate Captain c. F.
Dawson of all blame"
Captain Dawson was represented by Mar
tin NJ. Hugg, while David ]. Hefron APP
peared for Reddington. There was no dis
pute as to the blow struck, but only as to
whether it was justifiable. Reddngtons
witnesses were w. b. Keller, j. b. Myers
and p ]. Riley. They claimed the act of
Captain Dawson in striking Reddington
was uncalled for. Reddington claimed he
had been helping to keep the crowd back
at the corner named, and when Captain
Dawson rode up he nearly knocked him
from his feet, and he was compelled to
take hold the horses bride to save him.
self, when the captain struck him.
Captain Dawson testified that the mount
ed police rode toward the crowd to
scare the people back, and there
was no danger to any one, as their
horses were under control. After Redding-
ton had grabbed the bride Dawson claims
he ordered him to let loose, and when he
refused he struck him with the whip. He
said he did not recognize Reddington be-
fore he struck him. thinking it was the act
of some smart aleck." He said Redding-
ton went to the police station after the
trouble and used abusive language and re-
fused 10 accept an apology. George w.
Powell and Gen. James r. Carnahan. to-
gether with number of policemen who
were in the parade that night, were wit
nesses for Captain Dawson, and they told
of how hard it was to keep the streets
clear.
The board voted it's thanks to Superin-
tendent Quigley and the police department
for the way in which they handled the i'm
mense crowds during the carnival. The
board also received a letter from Charles
n. Elliott, secretary of the Republican
county committee, expressing thanks for
the excellent service of the police depart
ment during Roosevelt day.
The board received an application for
place on the fire force yesterday from Ora
White, who carried a recommendation from
Admiral Dewey. White served the
Olympia. Dewey's flagship. during the
Spanish war.
The board confirmed the appointment of
Harry Braughton as a member of the fire
force. He has served sixty days probation.
The board allowed weekly bills of $1,000
for painting the engine houses and also
s60.07, the expenses incurred by Chief Bar
rett in attending the convention of fire
chiefs at Charleston, S. c.