The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-03-22
ATTACKED AN OFFICER
Steve Dales and Charles Greene At.
tackled Chief of Police Keith
in Performing His Duty.

Quite a good deal of excitement
prevailed down town Saturday even
ing when it was learned that Chief
of Police Keith had been attacked
by Steve Dales, a saloon-keeper, and
Charles T. Greene, a farmer who re.
sides a short distance east of town.
The reports that were first given out,
however, were exaggerated, as the
chief was not injured to the extent
as stated.
In the early part of the evening
as the chief was approaching the
Dales saloon from the south he was
informed by a person that there was
trouble in the saloon, and the chief
at nee went in to ascertain the
cause of the disturbance and make
an arrest if he deemed it necessary.
Chief Keith on entering the sa-
loon walked up to George Besancon
to ask him what was the trouble, but
before he had reached the man, Steve
Dales stepped up to the chief of po-
lice and, taking hold of his coat col
lar, coolly and impertinently inform
ed him that he could not arrest a
man in his saloon, and that when he
wanted any person arrested he would
let him know, further that he had
no business coming in there to ar
rest a man, The chief, however,
thought different. Besancon declin-
ed to be arrested without a warrant,
and rather than to cause any unnec-
essary disturbance, the chief inform
ed the two men that he would have
the warrant and that he would get
them after all. The chief felt that
should he attempt to take the men
that a rough house would ensue
which would require the use of a re-
volver to quiet, and that, he said, he
wanted to avoid if possible.
Then occurred the most d%astardly
part of the whole proceedings. When
the chief turned to leave the saloon,
Charles Greene stepped up behind
the officer of the law and struck him
a blow in the head. He knocked the
chief down and then delivered two
more blows as he lay PROSTATE on
the floor, exclaiming at the same
time, Now l am getting even with
vou, II cao~c n oo,plo IF voorc ooo
the chief arrested Mr.. Greene on the
charge of drunkenness, and he de-
clared at that time he would get even
with him.
The CHIEF went to the city hall and
secured a warrant for the arrest of
the three parties and then arrested
them all. They each gave bond to
Judge Herbert for their appearance
Monday morning, although Greene's
case was set for Tuesday morning.
Besancon was charged with disorder
ly conduct in throwing a chair at
some person going out the back door
of the saloon, and Dales was charged
with interfering with the duties of
a policeman, while Greene was
charged with making an assault on
an officer.
Besancon and Dales appeared be-
fore Judge Herbert this morning and
pleaded guilty to the charges filed
against them, Besancon being fined
$40 and Dales SIS, which they paid
Later in the day Greene appeared be.
fore the judge and also pleaded
guilty to the charge of assaulting ar
officer. The court imposed a fine Of
s75.
1t was a disgraceful proceeding
throughout in the attack made or
the oAicer of the law, when he at
tempted to 90 into the saloon te
make an arrest. Dales oversteppet
the law when he interfered in wha'
the chief of police believed to be hi
duty, and the chief admitted tina
perhaps he would not have arrested
Besancon had not the interference
come. But it has come to a prett.
pass when an officer is to be inter
fered in making an arrest in a sa
loon. The attack MADE by Charlie
Greene on the chief in attacking hin
from behind was a cowardly act AM
that Greene did not receive summar,
n~OnishmpDt RIGHT then at tho hta
hands was all on account Of his for
%bearance.