Evening journal., 1901-10-23
LOOKS LIKE
BLACKMAIL
Anonymous Letters Sent to
Home Of Captain Black
EFFORT TODEFAME CHARACTER
Mix-up in the Police Department Said
to Have Originated Over Cases
OisCambIiDg
EFFORT TODEFAME CHARACTER

What appears to be a deliberate
scheme TO damage the reputation Of
Police Captain George Black has just
been disclosed. and may result serious
ly to the guilty parties.
For some time past it has been said
that there has been friction among the
officials of the Police Department,
which IS alleged has not been for the
good of the department 1t is said that
the trouble arose over the gambling
question, which was agitated several
months ago. at which time a statement
was made through the press insinuat-
ing that officials of the Police Depart
ment were cognizant of the fact that
gambling was going on in Wilmington
and that from lack of evidence" no
action was taken to suppress it by the
proper authorities. Ii has been further
said that Police Captain Black was the
stumbling block in the way of the pol
icy men, faro bank players, etc, and
that through his attention to duty all
gambling joints in the city have been
suppressed.
ANONYMOUS LETTERS
Owing TO this fact it is now alleged
that an attack has been made upon
Captain Blacks reputation by certain
persons. who, not satisfied with en-
deavoring to affect his reputation as an
officer. have sought to break up his
home. Some days ago an anonymous
letter was received by the wife of this
officer. in which it was said that her
husband had been seen on various oc-
casions out driving in the evening with
the wife of a most estimab.e man of
this city, and otherwise warning her
against her husbands actions. Fur
thermore. Mrs. Black was advised to
insist on her husband resigning from
the police force to avoid further trou-
BILE.
Upon being shown the communica-
tion, Captain Black visited the persons
named in the letter. and upon laying
the subject before both man and. wife.
was thoroughly eXonerated by them
and the statement branded as a lie of
damnable character.
Not satisfied with this vindication. it
is said that Captain Black took the let
ter to President Clarkson, of the Board
of Police Commissioners, who now has
the communication. Mr.. Clarkson this
morning. in speaking on the subject.
refused to divu1ge the contents of the
letter, burt said the subject would be
brought before the board and investi-
gated. 1t also was said that another let
ter upon the same subject was sent to
the Police Commission unsigned, but
Chief of Police Massey says that the
matter was not brought up at the meet
ing of the board last night. When seen
today Captain Black refused to make
any statement regarding the matter be-
yond the fact that anonymous letters
had been received by Mrs. Black He.
however. is highly indignant that such
an underhand method should have
been adopted to assail his reputation.
and is Wiling to meet his accusers at
any time in open court.
EFFICIENT OFFICER
George Black is one Of the most eff
eient officers on the Wilmington police
force, and has a record that is To be en-
We'd. He was appointed as patrolman
on July !, 1891, and later promoted
to be sergeant Upon the retirement Of
Former Captain Robert Chambers he
was appointed to succeed him. He is
noted for his bravery, attention to duty
and has many important arrests to his
credit The attack upon him seems to
De an effort to remove him from office