The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-08-13
CASE OF POLICEMAN POND
Over One Hundred and Fifty With esses
Heard and Whole Day Used Up.
Especial to The Times-Dlspatch.)

| Especial 10 ] ne Il11leS-D tCn.)
| CHESTERFIELD, VA, August r.
The County Court yesterday was occupied
almost exclusively In hearing testimony
In the case of Policeman Walter T.. Pond,
of IIttricks, against whom charges have
been preferred By Il number Of the resi-
dents of Ettricks and Matoaca and the
Ineighboring country Mr.. Pond being an
appointce Of this court. petitions signed
by something like hundred and fifty
persons, some Of whom were women,
were laid before Judge Clopton last
spring, asking for the removal Of Mr.
Pond and Mr.. NJ. Z. Bridges. an extra
policeman, who has no regular salary
from this county, from office and the APP
rointment of other officers in their place.
Since the filing Of the petition M. o.
Bridges has resigned his office, and the
evidence to-day, therefore, was wholly
as to Mr.. Pond Soon after the filing of
the petition for the removal Of Mr.. Pond
a counter petition was filed by several
prominent citizens, asking that Mr.. Pond
be retained in office.
The matter having stirred up so much
feeling on each side the court allowed
the parties interested special day IN
which to state their respective sides, al
lowing broad latitude as to the sum-
monlng Of witnesses. Full fifty witnesses
were therefore here to testify-more than
have been in any one case for years,
except the famous case of II. j. Rubin
VS.. the Richmond and Petersburg Electric
Railway Company last spring.
The evidence did not substantlate the
charges made, though witness after wit
ness was put on the stand for the prose-
cution. 1t was found that most OF the
objection given In was from parties who
had at one time or another been offenders
against the law. One of the charges
made was that Policeman Pond had
forged a writ of commitment. signing the
name Of Justice J. N. Dunston to 1t.
The justice testified to having signed
blank writ, authorizing Mr. Pond to fill In
the same II he succeeded In experimenting
criminal he was seeking, and Judge
Clopton stated that this was not an un-
common thing for officers In. the cities
to do where they had confidence In the
police officers in order to save time and
confusion.
A number OF personal letters were filed
~ cr,,r. today commencing the work Of
Mr.. Pond at Ettricks, and asking for his
retention in office. Some Of his support
crs were II. +. Munt, Charles II. Short,
Thomas A. Hewlett County SUPERVISOR,
william e. GIL, r. =. Eanes and Revs.
w. B. Duling and G. f. Greene. Mr..
Short, who is a retired merchant OF
Pttricks, stated that he had done bust
ness In Ettrcks for forty years, and thnt
prior to the appointment Of Mr.. Pond as
policeman the behavior in Ettricks was
terrible, and It was exceedingly disa-
greeable to carry on business there, but
that an entire change for the best had
taken place.
The case was concluded shortly before
4 q clock. and the Judge, In few words.
delivered his opinion and Judgment dc
said that the evidence went to prove That
Mr.. Pond had been a faithful and ell
Client oflcer. and was a complete vindl-
cation OF him.
The court yesterday appointed Mr.. p.
l., Watts rs county policeman for the
| vicinity of Marks Addition to the city of
| Manchester Mt a salary Of $40 per month.
Tho court adjourned after hearing the
Pond case until next Friday, when case
OF A. Bla clter VS., H. J, Rubin, curator or
! Walter Elan, will be heard,