The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1912-06-01

So in the course OF a few weeks Far
rell commenced to have the reputation
OF an unreliable No c~owardice
charges were whispered. but Il was
clear that men on his beat did not
wish 10 walk with him. And finally
came the climax.
Farrell had been assigned to keep
order at one OF the boxing shows held
by an athletic club in the nelghbor-
hood-a club" which supported itself
largely by holding ring bouts and by
the proceeds of its bar. Partisanship
shown by the referee had caused a
surge toward the ring on the part OF
d~isgruntled spectators. one chair had
already zen thrown within the arena
and affairs seemed ripe for a general
outbreak when Sergeant Collins
squeezed through the ropes. calling on
Farrell to follow. This Farrell had
not done. and the Sergeant strolling
along the borders OF the ring had con-
t~emptuously raped with his heavy
night stick the heads of a few hardy
spirits, who were e~ndeavoring to climb
INTO the enclosure. One glance at Far
rells face in the crowd below made
him turn away with contempt.
1T was rank violation OF orders and
the man was scared to DEATH he said
that evening to the captain. as they
sat in the latter's private office. a
prize fight crowds the easiest in
the world 10 handle-lots of noise
and no danger. | jest didn't want
anybody Eettin' in the ring. where
there was space enough for a scrap.
so called Farrell TO follow. And his
face went white as chalk and he was
shakin' all ver. He heard me all
right. He jest didn't come"
And h captain, eXasperated by
other reports OF the kind against Far
rell. and rendered even more irritable
by he policeman's weak defense Of
not having heard. ordered him to ap-
pear the next meeting before the police
board. AS the young officer left the
room, with bowed head. Captain Hag-
erty hesitated a moment before making
out his complaint.
I've never accused another man OF
bein' a coward yet he muttered to
himself. as he ran his eve over Far
rell's record. but there's plenty Of
cases here hat look bad. StiIl. I'll
Just put him down for neglect of duty"
Police Commissioners. well versed IN
their duties. can often read between
the lines OF n report made to them.
And when they Issued a for
Farrell 10 appear. the president. an old
man. long in Office. gazed thoughtfully
and rather sadly al the slip in his
hand.
It's the first case OF the sort ever
reported 70 M. he said slowly. land
| hope the officer car clear himself.
I'm glad it's worded this way so the
newspapers won't see anything in Il.
But we know what II means
His colleagues nodded assent.
Il suppose he's that big young fellow
sitting in the anterOom.' remarked one
Of M commissioners; hes large
enough not 10 have any troubles OF the
sort. But what's that?"
The board. in It's executive session.
wa occupying a room IN the city hall.
while their OWL rooms az police head
quarters were being repaired. From
the high windows OF their room a shot
rang out and a hoarse and threaten
Ing voice could be heard shouting an
grily as they hurried 20 the windows.
on the wide lawn OF the hall and a.
most below them stood a man bran
dishing a revolver and evidently
crazed with drink. He was grinninF
and waving his arms wildly in triumph
as he -gesticulated d. the figure OF an