The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-03-08
USED HIS CLUB.
Policeman Allison Gives i,
Brutal Exhibition.

w. G. Fairchild. a young Topeka
lawyer, was dubbed by Policeman
Allison at Fifth street and Kansas ave
nue. at noon today in the presence of
a large crowd of spectators.
F'airchild, with another young man,
was driving south on Kansas avenue
on the east side of the street. Police
man Allison directed him to cross to
the right side of the thoroughfare as
he drove south. After Faircfild had
reached the right side of the street.
as directed, the people watching the
proceedings were surprised to see Alli-
son climb into the buggy and attempt
to reach the lines. Allison attempted
to sit On Fairchild's lap and grab the
reins. Fafrchild expostulated and held
the lines away from him. Allison
struck three or four times at Fair
child's hand holding the reins. In do
ing so Allison fell out of the buggy
and landed sprawling on his back on
the pavement. His feet tangled up
with the rear wheel The horse start
ed, but Fairchild pulled him up. Alli-
son seemed to be more than discounted
at his ungraceful sprawl on the pave
ment. He was infuriated. He jumped
onto the back of the buggy, reached
over and with a full swing of his arm
dubbed at Fairchild's head.
Allison aimed half a dozen blows but
none took serious effect. Fairchild
lodged and finally jumped from the
DuSSy anu ran TO the sidewalk. ALI
son. hatlesS and dirty from rolling in
the street, ran after him with his club
ready to strike. officer Ross, who was
on the sidewalk, grabbed Fairchild and
as Allison came up grabbed him and
prevented him from reaching Fairchild.
Ross stopped Allison from striking
Fairchild after Allison caught up with
him. Fairchild made a slight attempt
to jerk away from Ross fearing, pro-
baby that if Allison reached him that
| he might suffer from a fractured skull
as other unlucky citizens have who
have been dubbed by policemen. When
| Fairchild saw that Ross would protect
him he offered no more resistance and
went to the police station with the Of
| ficerS.
Policeman Allison's assault on Fair
child was totally unprovoked. Fair
| child offered no resistance. He did not
attempt to strike the officer and he did
not make an effort to throw the officer
from the buggy. His actions were to
prevent Allison from taking the reins
and thereupon Allison, although unsuc-
cessful attempted the best he could to
deal crushing blow on Fairchild
head. The blows were not the short
taps'' the police are wont to talk about
when they have to explain their reasons
for clubbing and killing people, but
were full arm strokes and had anyone
of them been dealt squarely on FAR
child's head the wound would undoupt-
GGlY nave DeSu ScIlCNo.
Fairchild appeared before Assistant
County Attorney Jamison and asked fol
a warrant to be issued in the city cour
charging Allison with assault Alllsor
may be thankful that he will not b'
tried for murder.
The system of the Topeka police un
der Chief McCollum to club and bea
citizens is not relished by anyone bu
! the nolice. Before he became chief, Nc
ColIu1a was a doctor who cured by lay
ing on of hands, or something of tina
sort and now he seems to pass tina
style of cure on to the policemen undel
him even to the laying on of clubs.