The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-12-11
ENGAGED N FIGHT
OVER FRANCHISE
BROTHER OF vICE-PREsrDENT OF
n. II. COMPANY ATTACKS
w. r. LEAMAN
ROW OVER PETITION
JENKINS CLAIMS TT AS PROPERTY
OF COMPANY WHILE LEAMAN
SAYS TT BELONGS TO
ALDERMEN

In a quarrel over the possession OF
certain papers said to be the property
OF the Richmond and Henrico rail-
way company. w. r. C'Dutch") Lea
man. was yesterday morning knocked
down and badly cut about the face
by Robert l. Jenkins. brother of w,
F. Jenkins, vice president of the street
railway company. The quarrel &C.
CURED In front of the Mutual Building
In the basement Of which Mr.. Leaman
conducts a cafe.
According to the story told by Mr.
Jenkins. who Is a tall man Of powerful
build, he went to Mr.. Leaman, and
asked him for certain petitions from
Madison ward voters. asking that the
Richmond and Henrico railway COM
pany be granted a franchise for light
and power. and that Mr.. Leaman said
he should not have them.
knocks Leaman Down.
II will have them,' replied Mr. Jen-
kins. and the lie was passed. MIR.
Leaman was knocked down. As he
tried to regain his feet, according to
Mr.. Jenkins, he placed his hands be-
hind him and, thinking that he was
preparing to draw pistol. Mr.. Jen-
kins struck him again. Mr.. Leama n
was practically knocked out. His face
was cut and the wound bled profuse-
ly. Detective +. I. Gentry, who was
across the street, rushed over, and
placed Mr.. Jenkins under arrest. 1t
was permitted him to 60 to the First
Police station IN q taxicab. which was
obtained by his brother. Late In the
afternoon q warrant charging felon.ous
assault was sworn out against Mr.
Jenkins, and he was bailed In the
sum Of $500 for his appearance in
Police court this morning.
It was stated that Mr.. Jenkins went
to Mr.. Leaman on Monday for the
petitions and that the latter said they
were IN the possession OF James T.
Disney. a member of the board of
aldermen. Mr.. Disney was visited.
and said that he knew nothing about
the papers. Yesterday morning. Mr..
demanded the papers. and possession
Of them was refused him.
Petitions TO Aldermen.
Mr. Lenrsan denied he4ng abusive.
and said that he was standing with
both hands in his pocket when as
sauited. He declared that the Pc
titions belonged to the two aldermen
Joseph E. Powers and James r.
Disney-to whom they were ad-
dressed. Mr.. Jenkins commended that
they were the property OF the rail-
way company, which had paid for the
trouble OF getting them out. Accord
ing to Mr.. Leaman he declined to
discuss the matter. and asserts that
while he stood with his hands Idly in
his pockets Mr.. Jenkins dealt him q
terrific blow.
Some sort Of trouble was expected
by Mr.. Ieaman. for he had received
a telephone message, he says. from
one OF his helpers In the cafe. saying
that Mr.. Jenkins had entered and
demanded where was Leaman." that
he wanted to ind and would And him.
Then the latter went down TO his place
of business and awaited In front of
the Mutual building tho arrival OF
Mr.. Jenkins. There was but q short
parley when the blow ws.s struck.
Mr.. Leaman declared that he wan
struck while picking up his hat. while
Mr.. Jenkins states that he twice
fioored his antagonist.
In discussing the matter last night
Mr.. Leaman said that there was no
reason why he should turn the papers
over to Mr.. Jenkins and that he re-
fused TO do SO. They are still In his
possession