The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-09-24
BUSYBODIES
GET THEIR
DESERTS.
Mr. HutchIns Discharged and
Judge Swssi|and Unburdens
His Mind 10 Prosecutors.

One Of those pestiferous prosecutions
which unnecessarily take up the time OF
the police and the courts and cause peo-
pie uncalled for annoyance. was squelch-
ed by Judge sweetland today
Thomas l.. Hutchins, one OF the most
peseeable men in this city. was compelled
TO come int the 9Th district court today.
and defend himself against the charge OF
assa ulting Thomas +. Atwell, . years old.
The evidence. as given by the three
principal witnesses for the state, not
counting hat OF the box. was calculated
10 impress upon the court, the fact that
lie boy had been brutally seized by the
throat checked until he sYsA eblack IN
the face, his clothing torn and he was
dragged and then thrown with violence
10 the concrete walk
y This VA obscWyed stW FreSrls Smith
and MS ~1fe, safah J'SHith, kho were
passing through Plenty street Vat that
time, and by neighbor all three or
whom took the pains 90 walk away over
10 9TH station and lodge complaint OF
so robust a character that Sergt Thomas
thought that the lad had been almost
killed.
The affair happened In the yard of the
Peace street school, week ago last
Sunday afternoon. The boy and MIR.
Hutchins agreed 10 dot In their "vi-
dence, the boys corroboration being
brought out through the crOss-examina-
ton
Mr.. Hutchins heard his 5-year-old niece
cry out 10 him and going TO the street.
saw the little one standing on the ahut-
ment Of the school yard Fence. while be-
low her stood the boy who was prodding
her in the calves OF her legs with two
sharply pointed sticks.
To escape further torture the child
jumped 10 the sidewalk and ran TO her
uncle's arms
Mr. Hutcnihs chlded Tommy for being
so thoughtless end cruel TO little girl.
Tommy, who possessed "A vocabulary
OF bad words and profanity. used vile
epthets and swore at Mr. Iutchins.
The latter seeing t9st the boy was
stranger. that he was hanging about
the school yard aud not using respectful
or even decent language. jumped over
the fence took him by the collar OF his
shirt and started to lead him out OF the
yard and send him home.
Tommy walked few feet. then tried 10
drop on his knees and being liberated,
ran across the yard, skinned a tight
board fence and set up a howl
After the self-appointed public censors
had mads formal complaint. In Tommys
behalf at the station. Tommy went out
10 play and there was where Sergeant
Crane found him.
Judge Sweetlsnd said that the evidence
OF all the witnesses save that OF the prin-
cipals was 10 be discarded. II was OF the
character generally given by new and
over enthusiastic converts to the enforce
ment Of the law and was not 10 be relied
upon.
II appeared TO him that the police must
have known about all the details Of this
AFFAIR and II seemed 10 the court that
they might have busted themselves with
something better than bringing such
ridiculous prosecution as this one.
The hoy. by hts own statement had
proved himself to be n young rascal: one
whom his parents should have severely
spanked, as closing feature OF this in-
cldent.
Judge sweetland therefore. adjudged
Mr.. Hutchinson TO be not guilty and or
dered his discharge.
While the trial was pending n request
was sent 20 the reporters not TO use the
names OF the witnesses who were instru-
mental in bringing the complaint The
names asked to be suppressed will be
found in this story. II was a piece OF
presumptious gall.