Los Angeles herald., 1905-05-14
MOB VIOLENCE
IS THREATENED
ANGRY CITIZENS SURGE ABOUT
ACCUSED MAN
MINISTER LEADS THE CROWD
Demands That Police Make Arrest,
Threatening That Unless Such
Is Done Trouble viii
MINISTER LEADS THE CROWD

Mob violence was threatened in the
police station last evening, when a
dozen men crowded around Harry Hol-
land, who stood in front of the desk
sergeants window, and with muttered
threats declared that he might not have
an opportunity to prove his innocence.
AS the angry crowd surged around
the accused man and the threats were
uttered, a sharp reprimand and warn
ing rang out from Sergeant Dixon, as
he stood ready to leap from his position
behind the desk. The crowd, headed
by Rev. r. L. Windsor of st. Luke's
Episcopal church. fell back at this
warning and slowly filed out of the po-
lice station.
Holland, who is barber at Vernon
and Central avenues, declares that he
was attacked early in the evening by a
crowd of several men led by Rev.
Windsor, who alleged that he assaulted
Caroline Behnka, 7-year-old girl, a
few days ago. 1t is alleged that after
making numerous threats of violence
Patrolman Anderson, who rushed to
the scene Of trouble was requested to
place Holland under arrest.
The policeman refused to make the
arrest, as no warrant had been issued
and, he said, he had seen Holland do
nothing on which charge could be
made.
Protect Holland
After demonstrating with the angry
crowd for some time the officer decided
to take Holland to the police station
for protection. Rev. Windsor and a
number of the crowd which had gath
cred followed the officer and Holland
to the station, where a demand for the
BARRIERS immediate arrest was made by
the minister.
This demand was refused by Sergeant
Dixon, who stated that no warrant had
been issued and the officer who brought
the man to the station was unable to
make out complaint. The minister
continued to argue with the sergeant,
who made no reply other than plain
statement of his duty. Then Holland
stepped forward and declared that he
wanted nothing more than an opportu-
nifty to prove his innocence.
"You would better take care Of him,
officer, as he may not have a chance to
prove his innocence" said the preacher.
1t was at this time that the sergeant
spoke the warning and the crowd filed
out of the door,
Holland is alleged to have made the
assault on May 10, and on the follow
ing day Behnka, father of the girl,
went to the barber shop on Central and
Vernon avenues. A fight ensued in
which it is said Holland was severely
beaten. On the evening of the same
of Rev. Windsor and booked at the po-
lice station on suspicion. An investi-
cation was made the following morning
and his release was ordered, as the dis
trict attorney would not issue COM
plant against him.
Much Feeling Aroused
Holland has been the center Of much
talk for several days, owing to the feel
ing aroused against him by number
of citizens in the neighborhood of Cen
trail and Vernon avenues.
He protests his innocence, but de-
clares that things have been made so
unpleasant for him in the district in
which he lives that he will move from
it at once. He was allowed to go home
last evening, but was accompanied by
a policeman for protection in case of
any violent outbreaks on the part of
the citizens in his neighborhood.
Rev. Mr. Windsor called at The Her
aid office last night in company with
Albert Behnka, father of the child,
and made the following statement rel
ative to the attempts at securing the
arrest of the alleged assailant:
1.-The action of the police in refusing
to hold this man until we could get
warrant is, | believe, an outrage.
personally called up the police depart
ment after Mr.. Behnka failed to secure