The Nashville globe. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1906-193?, 1908-01-03

-KILLEN ARRESTED.
The most cowardly attack that is yet
recorded against a policeman OF this
city, and they are numerous, occurred
last Saturday afternoon in the very
heart of the business section of Nash
Vile, when Patrolman ]. ]. Killen de-
liberately, and with apparent malice
a~forethought, dubbed Mr.. William
Foster, of the Nashville Banner force.
The attack was deliberate and was
made while the man was seated, which
was against all rules. Had they been
prize fighters, this would not have
been permitted, and in case it was
done the offender would have been re-
buked. Striking a man when he is
down is worse than cowardly. The re-
port of the incident in the Nashville
Banner says:
'sWhile seated in the doorway OF The
Banner Office opening into the alley
Saturday afternoon in his shirt sleeves
and smoking a cigar, William Foster,
colored, a trusted employe of the Ban
ner. was the victim of an unjustlllable
assault on the part of Patrolman John
7. Killen. The officer belabored the
negro repeatedly over the head with
his club, placed him under arrest and
gave as his reason for his conduct that
he couldn't stand the way the negro
had talked to him or ABUSED him.
With blood streaming from the mans
wounds the officer hurried on to the
station house with him. There he
placed the charge of disorderly con-
duct and resisting arrest" against him.
In a short while thereafter Killen was
arrested on a states warrant sworn
out before Justice Jake Levine by Eos
ter. charging assault with intent to
commit murder. He was released on
a bond of $500. John H. Reeves sign
ing as surety for the officer.
at appears that Patrolman Killen
visited the mailing room of the Ban
ner. which opens on the alley, about an
hour before the assault and com
planned about ONE paper being in the
alley. He finally accosted Foster
about the matter and ordered it
cleaned ND after the work Of the after
noon was finished. The officer, it is
said. seemed insistent that it be
cleaned up then, and was thereupon
referred by Foster to the business Of
fee in the front, to those in charge OF
the paper. The officer is said to have
called Foster a damned smart negro
declined to 90 into the front office and
left. threatening to give Foster a ride
If the D was not cleaned up. In
ouiry reveals the fact that Killen did
not complain to the Office of the Ban
ner.
''He is then said to have made in
ouirv MS to what time Foster got
through his work. 1t is stated also
bv several that the officer remained
about the place for some time. He
finally accosted Foster as the latter
was seated in the doorway of the Ban
ner building. Those who witnessed
the assault stated that Foster was
seated when attacked by the officer,
and that he had in no manner assault
cd or touched the officer. The only
words that were heard to pass between
the men were words of Foster, who
cried. as he tried in vain to dodge the
blows from the rapidly descending
club, Don't hit me any more"
"Foster claims he had not been i'm
nudent to the officer, as the latter had
charged. and that he had only an
gwered the patrolman's questions when
\ thev we're asked. He claims that Pa
troiman Killen struck him repeatedly
with his club and then ordered him to
90 into the Banner building; that
mon his refusal to go into the build
| inc the officer then declared him to be
nnder arrest. 1t appears that the re
sisting arrest" acts on the part of the
negro consisted in his trying to dodge
the ticks he was getting all over the
head from the club of the officer. An
employee of the paper on the third floor
heard the ticks and looked out OF the
window to see what was the matter.
Several who witnessed the assault
stated that the officer slapped the ne
gro with his hand or fist before bring
Ing his club into play.