New-York tribune., 1902-01-10
CHAPMAN FIGHTS FOR LIFE
AMID SCREAMS OF WOMEN, HE WRESTS
REVOLVER FROM DRINK CRAZED PO-
LICEMAN'S HAND ON CAR

Captain George S. Chapman, Of the Mercer
ST. police station. according to a statement made
by him last night. had a narrow escape from
being shot by a drink crazed policeman while
ne was trying TO take the patrolnan into the
station The two. with Wardman Wesley Hail.
We're on the rar platform of Broadway car
when the struggle took place Chapman was
badly bruised about the head and face
Policeman John j. Healey, it is said, at 1O:3O
p m, was at Fourth-ave. and Thirteenth-st
drunk, and raising disturbance 1t is asserted
that every time any one came near enough
Healey would make attempt to throw that
person into the rapid transit tunnel excavation
captain Chapman and Wardman Hall made
their way through the big crowd that surround
ed Healey and roared at his antics. They took
him by the arms and forced him to Twelfth-st
They hailed Broadway car, full of passengers.
many of whom were women returning with
their escorts from the theatres.
Healey. who is a big, six foot, broad shoul-
dered giant, formerly a stone cutter, was forced
up on the rear platform of the car by his su-
perior officer, aided by Hall. They stood Healey
up in one corner and took up positions either
side of him.
Healey struggled continually and vigorously
Finally he managed to free his hands from the
grasp OF his guardians. He quickly jerked out
his night stick and made swing with it toward
Hall, who ducked and avoided the blow Then
Healey jerked off his belt, and with an OATH
threw his stick and the belt into the mud be-
hind the Hall jumped off and ran back
for the club and belt.
No was Hall off the car platform than
Healey wrenched his arm free from Captain
Chapman's grasp and endeavored to draw his
revolver. Captain Chapman OWNED his pur-
pose and tried 10 keep Healey from getting the
weapon. The struggle lasted until Hall re-
gained his place beside the captain Then he
found that the conductor of the car. angered
by the disturbance and spurred by the
screams of the women in the car and the de-
mands of their escorts to throw the disturbers
Off had taken sides with Healey and was try
ing to help him.
Healey aimed a vicious blow at Chapman's
face. The captain ducked. Quick flash
Healey dove for his pistol pocket. He succeed
ed this time in drawing the weapon.
With oath he aimed ii straight at Cap
tain Chapman's face. the muzzle being hardly
more than eight inches from the captains
forehead.
For Gods sake, let him go captain!'' shouted
Hail. as he made a swing for Healey's face
with the policeman's night stick Healey
ducked to avoid the blow of the night stick
This probably saved the captains life, for
Healy's instinct of self-preservation was greater
than his desire to shoot his captain. This gave
Chapman time to make a final effort to get the
policemans weapon from him. He grasped
Healeys hand in which the revolver was held
with both his own. With great effort Captain
Chapman forced the polcemans hand down so
that the weapon pointed toward the streetcar
floor Then Hall helped him, and the weapon
was at last jerked out of Healeys hand. In
doing so the hammer caught in the feshy part
of the poiceman's hand and cut 1t severely.
Then Healey stood painting and glaring. The
crowd in the had become terrorized. Women
standing up on the seats clutchtng their
escorts by the arm and screaming. Men in
evening dress were crowding about the door OF
the car, demanding to know what was wrong.
Captain Chapman not in uniform, nor was
Wardman Hail. Many of the passengers, see
ing the struggling against the police
man. and not understanding the situation were
emphatic in their efforts TO aid the policeman
This made the struggle between the three men
all the worse TO the passengers.
At the station Captain Chapman stripped
Healey of his shield and book of rules, and or
dered him suspended and. under instructions
from Inspector Cortright, put him in cell.