Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1912-08-31
ACCUSE NEWARK
cop" OF TRYING
TO DROWN BOY
Says Hummel Stove
Holes in Boat Then
Swan Away.
SAVED BY CHUM, WHO
CLAIMS HE HEARD THREAT
Sensational Story Told Staple
ton Magistrate by Son of
Sergt. Opel.

rspeca to the Newark star.l
ToTTENvILLE. Aug. S1.-Assert-
ing that Policeman John Hummel, OF
Newark, rowed him out on Raritan
bay and then stove hole in the row.
beat and left him to drown, Herbert
Opel. 10 years old, will appear as
complainant in the Stapleton Police.
Court next Thursday.
He told his sensational story to
Magistrate Marsh, who ordered Hum
mel summoned to court and set down
the hearing for September 5.
Police Are Aroused.
The entire police colony here is
aroused over the fend that is said
20 have eliminated in the queer
episode. The peace of the little Settle
ment of buecoats. long known for its
harmony and goodwill. is badly shat
tered
Hummel denied today that he had
broken holes in the bottom of the
boat and explained that it had run
upon some rocks.
"Then ! got out and was satis-
fed" he added.
The trouble arose over a rowboat
owned Jointly, it's said, by Lieuten-
ant John w. Mcclellan and Police
men Henry D. Hammond and Hum
smmel, all of the First precinct. and
Policeman William F. Decker, Of the
Sixth. ! ssA&
Had Use Of Boat.
Herbert, who is the son of Sergeant
nf rtIa
cinct, Newark, had the use of this
boat Since July his principal pastime
has been swimming. rowing and fish
ing
Il heard that Hunmel was going
down to the beach to take the boat
Wednesday afternoon" said the boy
today. 81 wanted il, so ran into the
house. got the oars and raced )ut
and pushed Off
wadinR into the water. Soaking wet,
he caught hold and pulled himself in.
".You give me those oars, or I'll
duck you'll he shouted.
"When1 said / wouldn't he told
me he would paddle to New Dorp
and have me arrested. Then he took
a mile up stream.
"The first thing I knew he was
smashing a hole in the bottom Of
the boat. He swan off and left re
clinging to the boat, which filled
right up. If it hadn't been for Ed
might have drowned"
The friend he referred to was Ed
ward Marshall, Is years old. of 80
fAIl .f.- sl<,x-
story.
Hears Cops Threat.
Il heard Mr.. Hummel say he was
going to duck Herb" he said, so
got in boat and followed them up.
After padding quite distance up
the bay l saw Mr.. Hummel seize an
oar Herb was holding and pound the
bottom of the boat several times. IT
quickly filled with water. raced up
and helped him get in my boat. Then
we managed to raise the wreck, ell
though it had sunk level with the
water, and we towed it back to Rari-
tan Park"
Hummel who is staying at $50
Brighton street, a short distance from
the Opel bungalow, laughed when
asked about the incident.
why / didn't puncture that boat
any more than you did. I'll tell you
the whole story. have been spend
ing my vacation here for six years.
About five years ago four of us
bought two lots aon Bayway avenue,
a camping outfit and the rowboat.
Oppel didn't figure in the deal in
any way, but when he found the ho1t
was not being used down on the
beach, so I've been told, he repaired
and painted it and locked it up.
Left Rowboat on Beach.
81 didn't mind that, SO long as he
would let me have the key. Last
week I got the key from him In the
afternoon and, after rowing for a
few hours, came in and left the boat
on the beach.
while l was changing my clothes
young Opel came up and asked for
the key, and told him to tell his
father that wanted to go out again
in the evening and that would lock
the boat when I got through with 1t.
when l walked down 70 the beach
that night found a big railroad lock
on the boat, and Sergeant Opel ad-
mitted he had locked it,
"I don't want you to be taking the