New-York tribune., 1907-01-18
POLICEMAN RUNS WILD.
Uses Club IN Seventh AUenue-
Back to His Post.

While several angry persons were calling up
Police Headquarters last night TO complain OF
the policeman on the beat In Seventh avenue
between 36th and 27th streets PatroIman
Thomas O'Nei. Of the West S7th street station
creating reign Of terror In that vicinity
by running wild in the crowds and beating
children. women and men. The patrolman was
apparently intoxicated and in a wild rage at
every one who went near him He staggered TO
and fro, tumbled into snowbanks, got up and
struck at pedestrians with his club and his fists
O'Nen went out on his beat about o'clock
last evening. The first sign of trouble came
when a Frenchman, Louis Sanity, happened TO
touch the policeman at o'clock. O'Neil turned
on Sanity with profanity, struck him with his
fist and knocked him down with his club. \
crowd soon gathered, and some one advised
Sanity to run and save himself. which he did.
O'Neil then continued walking south on his
beat.
A manufacturer, who refused to give mis-
name, but said he a guest with his wife at
the Hotel Navarro. was the next to draw the
wrath of the policeman. but escaped with some
abuse which was hurled at him. and lodged the
club.
Guests of the Hotel York and others who had
witnessed the affair demonstrated with O'Neil.
and he started after the crowd with his stick
swinging 1t right and left First the crowd
would give way from his wrath on side and
close In on him on the other. but all tried to
keep out of the way OF the club. Several chill
dren and at least woman are said to have
been struck. nevertheless. Some one took the
news to the station, and Sergeant Colohane sent
out couple of to find O'Nen
man and woman going north IN Seventh
avenue were held up by O'Nei at the corner
of Both street and Seventh avenue He seized
the woman by the shoulder and dragged her
around the corner into Both street His rough
treatment of the woman made her cry with pain.
Her escort fed from the club. After walking
the woman about q dozen steps along the street
he shouted that she was under arrest. and the
next instant he turned her around toward Sew
enth avenue and released her. striking her with
his club on her shoulder and back. She fed.
screaming with terror, and in her excitement
dropped her purse.
ONefl then staggered across the street, fall
Ing and slipping on the snow. and once tum-
bled into a snowbank. Fl. Burns, who said he
was a guest of the Broadway Central Hotel,
was held up by the enraged policeman Burns
accompanied by his wife. and In attempt
ing to protect her he got a crack from O'Neirs
club Mrs. Burns also hit glancing blow
before she and her husband could get out of
the reach of the policeman. Burns also lost no
time in calling up headquarters and lodging a
complaint
John Collins. young boy found the purse
dropped by the woman when O'Neil struck her.
and handed 1t TO O'Neil. explaining how he came
in possession of it. O'Neil struck Collins Ieav-
ing mark on his head, and started with him 20
the station. Thomas Laden, fourteen years old.
demonstrated with O'Neil for his brutality, and
the policeman turned on him. Seeing the plight
of the two boys. Edward Q. Child. guest at
the Hotel York, called up Police Headquarters
and asked for protection for them.
When O'Neil and the two boys reached the
station two newspaper men were there await
ing his arrival. and they preferred charges of
intoxication against him TO Sergeant Colchane.
One of those who had complained against
O'Neil asked the sergeant IL he thought the po-
liceman intoxicated. Il don't know" was
the reply
him.? he was asked Il don't think IL is neces-
sary,' he answered.
The sergeant then told ONeil 10 walk across
the room. With his fellow officers, including
Roundsman Miller, watching him, O'Neil walked
a fairly straight line TO the wall opposite the
sergeants desk, turned and walked back The
sergeant wouldn't commit himself further but
said he thought ONeil able TO do duty.
After a conference with Sergeant Donner Ser
geant Colohane Gent O'Neil out post again.
this time at S:25 o'clock. The policeman Is said
to be brother of Detective Sergeant O'NAil OF
the Central ofnco