The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-01-15

The West Greenwich authorities are
investigating the shooting OF Deputy
Sheriff Fish, but they have little to work
upon, for. while Constable Pollitt went
over to Arnold's place with Fish, the
latter sent him home before the shooting
occurred.
Fish told OF meeting the three men, and
that one OF them shot him. Arnold gives.
another version for he credits Fish with
acting the part of bravado. with reck-
lessly handling revolver, and with need
lessy pointing IL at his body and pulling
the trigger
This version is doubted by the friends
of Fish. Arnold thus describes what
took place at his stand:
ARNoLD's STORY.
Fish and Pollitt, after securing the
woods between the Reed House and the
pike in search of the men who had es-
capped the roundup, called at the Forest
House. and later at Arnold's place.
The officers drove their horse under the
shed. and. after Fish had taken a drink
or two, he and his fellow officer were
invited by Arnold to have some break
fast After breakfast the officers re-
manned at the place and were in the room
beside the bar-room when three young
men who had been at the cock fight ar
rived
The latter, on seeing the deputy sheriff
and Constable Pollitt, were afraid to re-
main. and told Arnold that Fish would
arrest them. HE spoke TO Fish about IL.
and Fish told him the fellows need have
All tt,s "A
OF them was that they should present
themselves at East Greenwich on the
morrow and settle for their sport.
The three men then Joined the officers.
drank with them, and later left the place
on good TERMS"
Up to this point Arnold's story Is iden-
tical with that told by Fish. with the ex-
ception that the latter asserted that one
OF the three men shct him, while Arnold
claims that the three men went away and
had no trouble with the officers. Arnold
says:
''Soon after the departure OF the three
sports in company with man from
Crompton who had come in quest OF
them Fish told Polltt TO go home with
l.. NJ. Whitmans team and return with
Fishs team, 20 take the latter home at
8 o'clock.
STORY or A ROW.
after Pollttieft Fish engaged in an al
tercation with man named Babcock,
who formerly had kept Arnolds place.
Babcock was there To take one of the
women away, and when he cuffed and
abused her. Fish became angry and
threatened TO thrash him. a short time
afterward Fish went into the yard and
overheard Babcoc<s talking about him
"Then Fish lost his temper. lie pulled
RabCOck out of the lattcrs buggy and
proceed 20 punch him. Babcock broke
away and ran into the woods IN the rear
OF the house. pursued by Ftsh. Tho 9TH
err managed 20 escape the ontcer. now
ever. and, after Fish returned To the
house. reioined the Girl and drove or
Fish on his return 10 the house was In
an ugly temper He took his revolver out
and threw y on = chair, rishtening some
ed against his carelessness. Then Fish
picked mp his revolver. and. placing the
muzzle aeainst his abdomen. In 2 spirit
OF bravado said: See. there's no danger
Hc struck himself once or twice, when
pistol was discharged
Fish walkcd out into the yard, emp
tied the two loadcd chambers or hls re-
volvcr by hrirg ~ ihc ground. Return
ing 20 tho har-rOnm, nc remarked that
he was done Tor. and then SAT down.
a place Tor Fish aud made him as COM
Portable as ] could TIL the doctor came
and carried him homo"
WHAT FISH SAID
Arnold insisted that there was no trou-
bic except botw Fish and BaDCOck.
and that theaccident. as he asserts it~ae.
did not occur Til after rabcock had sons
will throw strong light on. tie tragedy
later Tho authorities are bound TO To-
cate the three men. In his conscious mo-
was shot ana that he could pick out the