Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-05-16
RESULTED IN A FIGHT.


The investigation of the New York
Postofice resulted yesterday in
fight between Assistant United States
District Attorney Ernest E. Baldwin
and PostofIice Inspector j. +. Old
field. Inspector Oldfeld called on Mr.
Baldwin for information on one of the
matters he has detailed to investigate.
One of his questions or statements made
Mr.. Baldwin angry.
you're a liar" Inspector Oldheld
says he said.
'You must apologize to me for that,
said Old6eld.
'You von'tget any apology from me, "
Baldwin replied.
The men are both in the "bantam"
class. Baldwin had the advantage OF
little longer reach and little more
height. They squared of, but the dis
trict attorney, General Burnett interier-
ed.
'You have got to apologize, " Oldfeld
said again.
''You get ont of my office - Baldwin
shouted.
81 expected to find gentleman in
this Office" said Oldfeld. n
General Burnett called in United
States Marshal Menkel, who rushe;l i'll
between the two men and dragged them
apart.
Postofice Inspectors Little and Henkel
persuaded Oldfeld to go out. At 20
Oldfeld and Little started out to lunch
Little fingered behind, and Oldfeld
went down the elevator at the south
end of the postoffice building and waited
for Mr.. Little.
H~~Aral Burnett and MI, Baldwin
came down the elevator on their way 70
lunch when Oldfeld walked up to
Baldwin and said 81 demand an
apology"
Baldwin has a habit of throwing back
his shoulders and thrusting his right
hand in a trousers pocket. He assumed
this attitude when Oldfeld approached,
and Oldfeld shouted: 'YOu can't
draw a knife on me-"
At the same time he is said to have
pushed Baldwin back by the shoulders.
Baldwin swung his right fist up in a
circle and landed squarely on his op-
ponents cheek. Oldfeld went to his
knees, but WAS up and at Baldwin in an
instant
Baldwin is a trained athlete. With
trick of his foot he knocked Oldfeld,s
feet from uuder him and sent shim
sprawling Oh the floor with another blow
in his face. Baldwin fell on top OF him.
The watchman pulled them apart.
"Come up stairs" Baldwin said,
grasping Oldheld by the coat sleeve.
Pm going to prefer charges against
YOU"
There was more angry talk. Baldwin
called the Inspector a liar, and they
would have gone to fighting again. All
hands went to United States Commits
sioner Shields Office to have the case
heard. The Commissioner was out of
town, and the quarrel started all over
again. Finally, an armistice was de-
clared. .r.
Inspector Oldfeld was sent TO New
York from Cincinnati 10 days ago.,
Five or six other outside inspectors were,
detailed in New York at the same time.
1t is said that Oldfeld was picked for
the work he is doing because he knew
no one connected with the case 1t was
learned that George F. Miller q Co., Of
New York, has contracted for the sale to-
the P0stoffice Department of machinesi
that sell postage stamps and make change
automatically. George f. Miller lives
in Nyack and Isl Baldwin's brother-in51
law. Mr.. Baldwin is permitted to prac7.
tice all branches of the law that do not
conflict with his official duties, and is
counsel for his brother-in-law's company.
Recently man named Strawn, who had
been dismissed by George +. Miller &
Co., brought suit against the firm, and
it is said that Mr.. Baldwin is the firms
attorney of record in the case Inspec-
tor Old6eld made no accusation against
Mr.. Baldwin, so far as could be learned,
but asserted that Mr.. Baldwin was pres
elt when a certain transaction was
made. Then Baldwin said Oldfeld was
liar. Postoflice inspectors feel pretty
certain the trouble between Mr.. Baldwin
and Mr.. Oldfield is not ended.