The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1906-06-19
Police Investigation a Fiasco.

| In response to a notification served upon
them, the members of the police force sp-
peared at a special meeting, held on Fri
day evening, at which time they were
given an opportunity to explain charges
of dereliction of duty preferred against
them, but by whom they were not able to
learn.
After Franklin Dill had called the meet
ing to order, j. Franklin Hunter said the
meeting had been called that the policemen
mi ght explain the recent trouble on the
chill"
"Who made this complaint" was the
first question asked by Captain George Il.
Branson.
"Well, don't know" replied Hunter.
1T is merely the general talk around town.
"Well, think the persons who have
made this complaint ought to be present
I don't like to be accused without an op-
portunity of facing my accusers," said
Capt. Branson.
Then the Captain began recital of the
trouble, but he could only deal with what
came under his personal observation. He
persons who were at the West End Hotel,
slightly under the influence of liquor. but
creating no disorder. 1t was not until the
last car arrived, followed by dead" car
for the barn at Hainesport, that the trou
bic began.
As soon as the crowd got on the car a
big fellow started row. Citizens called
for the Captain. The latter ran into the
car, snatched the fellow and got him out.
He held on to the prisoner until he sup
posed the car was out of sight, as 1t had
passed over the hill. Then he let the man
go. To the surprise of Captain the
'dead" car came back, and Conductor
Claypoole said: Don't go down in the
hollow, they will cut you all to pieces. ="
The car was then run to the jail for as
sistance, when Deputy Sheriff Fleetwood,
Constable Gaskill and Robert Peacock got
on board. When the party arrived at the
scene there was nothing doing. The po-
lice were not on the ground when the
motorman was held up with revolver
and razor on each side of his head, nor
when q woman was knocked senseless
with black jack near Cronk's coal Office.
The Captain said he thought 1t was folly
for one man to run up against hundred.
nearly all of whom were armed, and who
were then engaged in no unlawful con
duct. He did clear the first car of all its
Objectionable occupants before 1t started
for Camden.
| OF the matters which came to his per.
sonal notice, the Captain said that Joseph
Buck, of Mount Holly, was the only dis
orderly person on the "hill' that night,
and even his arrest would have precipita.
ted riot and perhaps blood shed.
why didn't you get warrant for the
arrest of Buck the next day?" asked T.
Lacy Atkins
"Well, / didn't" came the reply.
i 1t was shown that on the following day
Buck made apologies to the officers fol
his first offence. For failing to ares
Buck, Atkins thought the police were tt
blame.
Capt. Branson said the whole matte
was handled with good judgment, ant
that blood would have been shed had an.
unruly man In the car been arrested.
No testimony was offered by complain
ants to show that the officers were der
elicit Capt. Branson said he had severa
witnesses on his side, but only one of then
was present.
William Filler, who saw the whole trans
action, said the police did all they wer
required to do.
Policeman Severns said there was
festival In church on West Washingto
street that night, where two carloads @
the visitors embarked. Later some on
shouted ''All aboard for the West En-
Hotel" to which place the crowd repaired
The officer declared that some person ha
/ paid $40 to have them piloted there.
: After ordering three carloads of ston
a for municipal purposes, those preser
faded away one by one.