The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-07-04
HIT ON The HEAD. AT OYSTER /
esGerberfck Roughly and President Roosevelt
led by Negro Policeman. Fourth Of July Orat
"YOu're Not the Czar Said the At Celebration Among
Grocer. Friends and NeighbC
REPLY WAS A BLOW. QUOTES FROM LIN
Knocked Him Down and Cut Text Upon Which t.
Long Cash in Scalp. His Remarks
Kicked GerberckOn Way to the Silences Dsturber in
Station. tant Carriage.
CharlesGerberick Roughly Hand
led by Negro Policeman.
you're Not the GAR Said the
Grocer.
REPLY WAS A BLOW.
Knocked Him Down and Cut
Long Cash in Scalp.
Kicked GerberickOn Way to the
Station.

Because a storekeeper said to him:
You are not the ear of Russia-why
can't you speak decently?" Charles
Smith. negro policeman, assaulted
Charles Gerberick, a Fourth street mer-
chant, with his club.
The negro policeman caught Gerberick
pouring water from the store ice chest
on the sidewalk, and ordered him to stop
it in a manner which led the merchant
to talk back" For this offense, which
the policeman considered "lese majestic,
the storekeeper was knocked fiat by a
blow which cut his scalp open, and was
rnen arrested
About two weeks ago the same po-
liceman arrested Mir. Gerberick for
leaving a chicken coop on the side
walk, but the defendant was dis
charged. Il think this was the real
incentive OF the attack last night,
said MIR. Gerberick this morning. He
was sore because 1 was not fined then,
and has been waiting for some excuse
to get me- The. store is at Fourth and
Monroe streets, and 1 am one of the
partners in the firm. We have no
sewer connection in the store, and we
have been in the habit of pouring the
water which escaped from the ice box
on to the sidewalk and letting it run
7 y
clean, and not sop. as the policeman
charges. Last night while I was
emptying the water this officer jumped
out from behind the corner and told
me to stop it. 1 said 1 would, but
that as he was not the czar of Russia
he had better use q more decent set
OF manners. When I said this he
jumped at me and hit me over the
head with his club, shouting at the
same time, You are under arrest.
and completely that my chin struck
the sidewalk and 1oosened some of my
teeth. The club cut cash in my
head which took several stitches to
repair.
MY partner. James r. Davidson, ran
out of the store and wanted to help
me up and stop the blood, which was
flowing from my face and head The
policeman drove him away, threatening
to arrest him Also Then the officer
started walking toward the avenue with
me- Davidson came along behind, and
when he reached Quincy street. came
up and asked the policeman to let him
give me a handkerchief to wipe the
blood from my face. The negro threat
ened him again and called another po-
liceman, Hobson. whom he told to ar
rest Davidson for interfering with an
officer. We We're both taken down
then, and when near the station 1 turn
ed to the negro and said. What is
your aame?' His reply was c.
D. you and a vicious kick which
would have broken my leg had it land
ed right. At the police station my pars-
ner put up some money for a bond
and we We're released. / was charged
with throwing slop on sidewalk and
Mr.. Davidson with interfering with an
officer in the discharge of his duty
THE whole affair was an outrage.
and we are not going to leave things
as they stand We contemplate having
the negro arrested for striking me with
his club. There was absolutely no ex-
cuse for the assault, as I was not
armed, and had offered no resistance
to arrest. In fact the club landed on
me before he had finished saying you
are under arrest
Smith, the policeman, says that he
has evidence enough against Gerberick
to show that he resisted arrest, but has
not shown it yet.
This officer has had trouble before
on account of his muscular method"
of making arrests. He seems to over
estimate his authority and personal
| importance.