Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-12-03

mOTulOg. LIE mdlOI odiu ho ioiieu W
see what he could base an investigation
upon, as the complainant bad lett the
city.
Mr.. Graham thought the position
taken by the Mayor was correct.
Mr.. Lawler said he was compelled TO
dissent from the opinions expressed by
the Mayor and Mr.. Graham. From all
be had heard of the matter il was an
ugly incident, aud he proceeded to give
Inc history OF the case as he had heard
u and which had emanated from people
who could be summoned before lie
board. The speaker sand itappeared that
stranger, drummer, left train on
Fayette street about IL O'Clock Monday
night, November 81, and entered sa-
loon on the northwest corner of Cameron
and Fayette streets. He was drunk and
carried satchel, and wanted more liquor.
A colored man named Willis, who at
tended the bar, told the man that he had
drunk enough and refused to sell him
any more stimulants. The stranger lefs
and later the bartender saw the man pro-
ceeding down Fayette street in company
with two young colored men. Not know
ing what might happen TO the stranger,
be called the attention OF Officers Fergu-
son and Arlington to the facts in the
case. The next heard OF the men be was
on Fairfax street, near the station house,
and later stumbling about 10 dark pass
ageway Of the Braddock House where he
had caused some excitement and where
an officer appeared aud dubbed him until
it was necessary to telephone for Il ply
stefan to stay hemorages from which the
stranger was suffering. The man was
subsequently released and no mention
OF tne affair Was made on the docket
at the station house. Ii the man, as is
alleged, assaulted the officer he should
have been arrested aud the matter IN
vestigated. A bloody collar and necklie
were found next morning ia the stree {.
and although the local newspaper made
mention OF the find two days IN succe,.-
sion, no explanation was made at the
station house until the paper furnished
the facts in the case and observed that
the Police Commissioners would inyesli.
gate the affair. Mr. Lawer c0nteuded
that Officers Ferguson and Arlington
should have taken the man in charge
when their attention was called to him.
an not have allowed two coIored men
to take him through the streets whilo
drunk after midnigh'.
Mr.. Graham said there were two sides
to all things. Had the stranger not
been drunk he would not have been
the victim of such a train Of mis-
fortunes.
Mr.. Lawler said that while be made
this statement, he would not ask the
board to investigate the matter. lie
merely desired to place before the board
what he believed were facts.
Chief Webster was summoned and
his statement varied but little from that
of the Mayor.
Officer Arlington appeared and stated
that on Monday night he and Officer
Ferguson had seen the stranger in com
pany with the two colored men, one Of
whom the officer said was 'hari nut, "
which he explained by saying he was
often in the hands Of the police for
fighting. MIR. Ferguson had told the
darkeys that should anything happen to-
the stranger they would be held rcspou-
sible. Mr.. Arlington said nobody called
the attention of the officers to the man
that they saw him on Fayette street,
between King and Cameron, and thar
when it was intimated that he might be
robbed, the stranger replied that be had
but six dollars in his pocket to- lose.
The man, he said, might have been
but did not appear to be
drunk.
After some further interchange OF
opinion the board adjourned.