The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-01-17
REPRIMANDED FOR FIRING HIS PISTOL Police Commission Hears the Charges Against Carlton DR. WILSON ON THE STAND Carlton Was Suspended for Two Days Without Pay as Well as Repri-
 manded for Reckless
 Use of Pistol.
DR. WILSON ON THE STAND

Policeman Carlton was last night found guilty of a charge of conduct unbecom- ing an officer, and was sentenced to severe reprimand and two days suspen- sion without pay. The police commission rendered this verdict after hearing the evidence of Dr. Cunningham Wilson, Policemen Carlton. Phillips, Will Eledge Brown and Thompson relative to Police man Carlton dlscharging his pistol for the purpose of soaring Dr. Wilson Thurs day morning on Tenth avenue and Twen- tieth street, south,
 When the evidence was all in, Com missioner Phillips moved that Policeman Carlton be exonerated and the charges dismissed Commissioner Fies moved as substitute that the policeman be re- lieved of duty two days and severely reprimanded by Chairman Parker. Com missioner Johnston seconded this motion and it was carried by a vote of four to one The ayes were Commissioners Fies, Johnston, McCary and Parker. Commis- soner Phillips voted no.
 The charge in brief was that on Thurs day morning about 2:15 o'clock Police man Carlton halted Dr. Wilson as he was coming from the residence of Sydenham Moore on South Twentieth street, and when Dr, Wilson failed to halt, fired once in the air The commission held that his act was to a certain degree reckless, in that there seemed to be no cause for the use of firearms.
 pr. Wilson's Statement.
 Dr. Wilson made the first statement before the commissioner. He said:
 About 2 o'clock I was called to Sid Moores residence and was leaving about twenty minutes afterwards. As 1 step ped out of the gate heard two men walking up the pavement. One seemed to be several feet behind the other, judging from the sound. I cut diagonal ly across Twentieth street towards my residence. which is next to the corner. I had gone only a few feet when I heard one of the men back of me say:
 !" Hold up there, boy I did not pay any attention, as I supposed the two men were talking between themselves. l had gone about two steps more when there was a pistol shot and the same voice said Hold up there. we are of- ficers. Then I turned and said. am a doctor, don't shoot any more.'
 Policeman Seemed Indignant.
 "The policeman seemed indignant. smelled whisky on his breath and told him he was drunk and asked his name He told me it was Carlton and said should have stopped when told to do so The other of- ficers then stepped up and explained that they had mistaken me for burglar, as several burglaries had been committed in the neighborhood this week, and that the policemen on the other shift had shot at burglar earlier in the night, and that they were more careful that night than usual"
 In reply to questions from Commission CTS Dr. Wilson said:
 T was making professional call and Mrs. Moore had unlocked the door and let me out. There was a bright light in the sick room and also one in the hall I walked slowly down the steps, as 1t was rather dark. and they have a slight curve. After reaching the walk I stepped more rapidly. about as fast as a man will step on a cold night. The policeman did not say Halt but Hold up there, boy He then shot and afterwards said, We are officers l am certain l smeled whisky. There is no doubt about it. The policeman gave me his name as Carlton. 1 was with in six or eight feet probably closer. to the policeman"
 Policeman Phillips Statement.
 Policeman Phillips, the partner of Carl ton said
 Tt was about 2:15 or 2:20 o'clock when we were about fifty feet from MT. Moore's house. Carlton was walking a few feet in front of me. He turned and said in low voice. Someone is coming out of that house. told him to halt the man and in- vestigate to see what he was doing out at that time of night. I stepped off the sidewalk so as to get better light and to see if the man attempted to run Carl ton said. Hold up there, captain I called to him in low voice and told him to say that we were officers He called second time and said, Hold up, captain I am an officer He then pointed his pis- tol upward and fired. I stopped down to see if any one ran. then stepped up and Dr. Wilson said he smelled whisky. I said to him. It is not me. Smell my breath but he did not do so. I am certain that Carlton said he was an officer before he shot"