The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-05-06
WILL BRING SUIT
AGAINST HOTEL
Former Chambermaid Alleges
False Arrest, Malicious Prose
cution and SANDER.
WHAT PRoPRlEToRs SAY
Declare That Girl Violated Rule
Of Hotel and Persisted in
Returning.

Mrs. a. d. Atkinson, proprietress of
tho Richmond Hotel. and The Messrs.
Atkinson stated last night that they
had no fear OF the result of the guilt for
10000 damages to be instituted by
Attorney Harry NJ. Smith. In behalf OF
Miss Rosa Crouch, former chambers
maid. for alleged false arrest, malicious
prosecution and SANDER. Miss Crouch
was arrested one day last week for
tregpass on the premises of the hotel,
the Messrs. Atkinson stating that she
lad committed the oifcnsc several
times. after repeated warnings. and
that they had her taken In custody
simply to prevent recurrence of the
trouble.
The Two Sides. Il
1t is stated that Miss Crouch had
been dismissed from the employ of the
hotel after a weeks trial. One of tho
rules OF the hosiery is that no dis
missed employee shall return to the
pace for any purpose whatever, and
signs are posted to that effect The
management assert that Miss Crouch
paid no heed to the injunction, al
though she had been warned. On her
visits. 1t Is said. she called for one
OF the negro employees. and on the DAY
cf her arrest he went to see what sho
wished.
She was In one of the rooms of tha
ground floor, where the quarters for
! the servants are, and she alleges that
1 they were locked in the room. The
| negro became alarmed and jumped out
| OF the window. He reported at once
| TO the front office. Mr.. Atkinson and
| his mother said yesterday that the girl
had no business in the room, and that
1t was her own fault IL she was locked
| up.
Miss Crouch states that she went to
the hotel TO see Miss Pearl Rhoads
about her getting a room at the Crouch
nome. While the two were conversing,
Miss Rhoads excused herself. and tho
negro boy. Beverly Galloway. entered
and spoke to Miss Crouch. Then, Miss
Crouch alleges. the Messrs. Atkinson
arrived on the scene, and the door TO
the room was locked. Both Miss
Crouch and the negro became alarmed.
and the, latter jumped from the window.
| while she tried the door in an attempt
to get out. She was confined in the
room for some time. and later the door
was opened and she saw the Messrs.
| Atkinson with n policeman.
| The officer escorted Miss Crouch to
the First Police Station, where she was
locked up In a cell for about two hours
| 1t was not until officer Yarbrough saw
| her that she was released. The officer
| went her bail in the sum of $25. and
she was allowed to go home. When
the case was called In the Police Court
the next morning. Miss. Crouch was
discharged, Justice Crutchfield stating
that he believed that she had no In
tention of wrong doing when she com-
mitted the trespass.
Did Not See Her.
1T was stated that Captain Whitlocle
asked Miss Crouch, when the latter ap-
pcared in tho station house. whether
she was q white girl and that she re-
piled in the Affirmative. Captain Whit
! lock said last night that he knew
nothing Of the matter, that he was not
In the station when she was brought
in, and that he did not see her until she
i appeared in the Police Court the next
morning. Captain Whitlock is we'll
known for his affability and courtesy
to all, and he declared last night that
he had never offered such an indignity
to any one
From all Appearances 1t seems as
IL there Is great deal in the case
that does not show on tho surface, and
that the management of the hotel arc
depending on evidence that has not
yet been brought out to save them
, from being forced to pay damages for
alleged defamation of Miss Crouch'ss
character. Meanwhile. Mr.. Smith stated
Il last night that the suit for $4,000
would be brought by him.
Miss Crouch lives with her parents
ut No, 8O4 Albemarle Street Her faith
or William II. Crouch, came with
!. the family from Campbell county, near
JYnchburg, about nineteen years ago.
TO is foreman of concrete workmen
: employed by Contractors Thomas A..
Berry at the jamestown Imposition
Grounds.