The Washington times., 1901-07-16
GAVE BATTLE TO POLICE.
A Negro Has a Penchant for At
tacking Peace Guardians.
Became Unmanageabie in a Hospital
and Conducted 81 Running Attack
on Re-enforcements of BIuccOts-
strapped TO an Operating Table.

| After fierce struggle with the police,
| William Mitchell. negro who has
served time before, was lodged in cell
| at the First precinct station. He at
| tempted to clean up the Emergency
Hospital in approved style, and assaulted
Policeman Hibl. who arrested him. A
fight ersued, and five policemen were re-
quired to take the negro to the station.
Policeman Hibl is suffering from
lacerated arm. Policeman Purks received
a vicious kick in the abdomen, while
Policeman Warren was hurt about the
hands in the tussle with the negro.
Mitchell was cut about the head and
| face, and received treatment at the
hospital.
Two negroes appeared at the hospital
| about I o'clock, when the trouble began.
One of them was Mitchell: the other is
unknown to the policeG Mitchell was
drunk and presented an ugly bone felon,
which he said must be dressed forthwith.
Policeman Hibl met the negroes in the
| hallway of the hospital. and told Mitchell
he must wait the regular hour for treat
ment of such cases this morning. This
angered Mitchell. who was in an ugly
mood He stalked sullenly into the
emergency room, followed by the police
man and his unknown companion.
Hardly had Hibl entered the room than
Mitchell turned upon him and aimed
terrible blow at the policeman. Hibl
lodged the blow, and striking back, hit
the negro on the chin. The policeman
clinched with his assailant. and over the
men rolled, while the companion of
Mitchell turned and ran out of the hos
pital Mitchell is a powerful negro,
weighing more than 200 pounds. He
tried time and again to choke Hibl, who
held on to his man. as the negro slowly
fought his way toward the door. that
he might escape from; the building.
The noise of the struggle was heard up
stairs and one of the nurses hurried down
and sent in a call for the patrol wagon
over the telephone. Meanwhile Mitchell
had gotten out Of the hospital, followed
closely by Hibl. fighting all the way.
Not far from the building. at 14z1 Ohio
Avenue northwest. is the home of
Mitchell, and 1t was evident he was in
tent on getting there. In this he sue
cceded just as the patrol wagon hove in
sight Policeman Sanford was in the
wagon, and he went to help Hibl, as did
Policeman Warren. who came around a
nearby corner on the run. Still Mitchell
proved a match for the police, and Patrol
Driver Sam hastily disrnounted from
his box on the wagon to aid the bluecoats.
Mitchell fought like a mailman, kick
ing. biting. and scratching, right and left
big crowd had by this time gathered,
and with the people came Policeman
Purks, whose beat is that on which the
trouble occurred. Purks had fought be-
fore, for he was hurt in the famous riot
with the Pennsylvania troops on the night
of March 4. He lifted the negro fairly
on his feet and with the others
hurled him into the patrol wagon. so
doing Purks was kicked in the stomach
a NJ mi fsrtt hVNrf n
jumped into the wagon after Mitchell and
were driven to the station.
Stationkeeper Morgan heard the wagon
coming and rose to take the name of
Morgan incidentally was struck in the
face by the negro. who was fighting still.
Without preliminaries Mitchell was
dragged back to a cell and locked UP.
Sergeant Browne learned shortly after
ward that the prisoner had been hurt ana
ordered that he be sent again to the
hospital for treatment. Accordingly the
wagon was brought and four policemen
went to the hospital with their prisoner.
He apparently recognized familiar scenes
and lighting was renewed in the hospital
emergency room DR.. Stewart waG ready
to dress his wounds, but it was necessary
to procure a rope and securely tie the ne
gro before anything could be done for
him. Afterward he was again removed to
the station and locked up. Policemen
Hibl and Warren also received medical
treatment for injuries suffered in the me
lee.
According to the police Mitchell Is an
old police fighter and his record is long
one. Six years ago or more the negro
had trouble with policeman of the Sixth
precinct station. A fight ensued and the
policeman was knocked down in alley
and beaten by the negro On that occa-
sion. 1t is said. Mitchell seized the pistol
of the policeman and was about TO shoot
the latter when help arrived. For this
episode Mitchell went to jail.
When he got out he met Policeman
Warren, Of the First precinct station. and
the two had a fight. 1t is said this time
Mitchell had just beaten a woman and he
started in, likewise to whip the police
man. Warren held on to his prisoner,
however who was finally locked up.
Mitchell is married and is thirty-two
years old. He will be taken this morning
to the Police Court.