The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-04-09
CHAP MAN RECALLS
GILMORE ASSAULT
Chief Witness Against Bur
roughs Attacked by Clarence
B. Wood and Hollins.
HAD TO PROTECT WITNESS
That's Why Government En-
ployed Him After Fight in
South Richmond.

An unwrittcn chapter of the Broad
Rock Distilling Company cnse came
TO light yesterday when Revenue
Agent w. III. Chapman undertook to
explain exactly his position in connec-
ton with the employment of Ethelbcrt
Gilmore. chief government witness In
the burroughs bribery case, as Il spe-
cial agent of the revenue department.
According to Colonel Chapman. Gilmore
was assaulted in his room by the
president of the distilling company.
who was inccnsed at his action in
turning informcr, and the rcvcnue de-
partment was compelled to take drastic
steps TO safeguard the life of the Wit
ness His employment in the revenue
department.. in which he served for
number of years. seemed simple solu-
ton.
Attorney Wcndenburg's attack on
Colonel Chapman's Office in his speech
u the jury Saturday gave this phase
OF the matter much nutoricty. and
Eimore's employment by the revenue
department was roundly denounced in
many quarters To reporter for The
Tim .s-Dispatch Colonel Chapman yes
terday stated his part in the affair.
Etmorc Attacked by Wood.
The attack on Gilmore TOOK place IN
January shortly After the hearing be-
fore Commissioner tlegenheimer. fol.
lowing the seizure of the distiiiery on
January S. Previous to the EleEen-
heimer hearing Gilmore had made prac-
ticaily the same statements to Revenue
Agents l.. q. Mutt and y. W. Ander-
son, which ware repeated at the Bur-
roughs trial last week
a few daa after the hearing before
commissioner FlcS cnlIcimcr." said Col
onel Chapman, Il was called to the
telephone late at night ut my residence
by Elmorc. who said that hs had lust
been assaulted in his room by Clarence
Is. Wood and Harry Hoilins. The at
tack took pace in Toney's Hotel. in
South Richmond. He did not tell mo
all that passed between them. but said
that the trouble grew out OF his testi-
mcny in the diStillery case. He told
me also that he had reported the as
sauit to the police, and that his as
saiiants had been arrested"
WOOD and HoIlins were tried before
Police Justice II. ~. Maurice OK south
Richmond fined $40 each and placed
under peace bonds OF $1,000. Colonel
Chaman arrived i'll the court shortly
after the trial
Wanted Gilmore Protected.
With The attack fresh in mind. said
Colonel Chapman. he suggested n few
days later in the course OF conversa-
ton with Revenue Agent Anderson
that the government should take some
means of securing the safety OF Ell
more, who was l.lble at any time TO
meet with violence. He had incurred
the enmity OF his former employers In
giving evidence against them TO the
government and placed himself in an
unpleasant prcdlcamcnt.
This was all tnat l had TO do with
the employment of Elmorc," said Col
oncl Chapman. shortly after my con-
versation with Anderson. Elmore left
Tor MS home in Norm CaroiIna and re-
turned about three weeks ago With
credentials signed by United States
Comm. sSloner CaDrll stating thai FL
more had been appointed special en-
p!oyc under Revenue Agent Sans at
Asheville. n. c. II has been stated
that Elmore was under the direction
OF my Office The fact Is that he is
under the authority solely of MIR. Sans,
who has charge of the nth revenue
district of North Carolina and the
sixth district OF Virginia"
At the time of Attorney Wenden-
burg's attack on his office, said Colonel
Chapman. he was busiiy engaged GER
tifying certain accounts for Assistant
District Attorney Tallcy. and did not
hear him. Later his attention was
called 10 1t. and he directed tho law
yer's attention TO the error.
story OF january Arrest.
The Times Dispatch of January 80
printed the following:
ON complaint OF F., Gilmore. who.
1t was stated, had been in fear of
bodily harm from the two men. Clar-
ence b. Wood Jr.. and Harry Holland.
the former OF whom Is under $1,000
bond for his appearance In a Federal
court, were arrested last night on a
charge OF disorderly conduct,
THE men were taken to the Third
Precinct Station. where Gilmore sworo
out a warrant against them, alleging
that they had entered his room IN
the Lafayette House, and that he. to
escape them, had fed 10 an adjoining
room.
Wood is an officer of the Broad
Rock Distilling Company which was
seized recently by Internal revenue Of
hcer for alleged Irregularities. and
was, with others. placed under arrest.
He was released under bond for his
appearance in court at the April term.
Eimore was at one time bookkecper
for the distilling company. and. II is
said, was discharged. After the arrest
suspected. II is said, of having been
the lnformcr. He stated last night that
Wood ana Holland came TO his ROOM
and he escaped. The police were call
cd. officers Moore and Webster an
swering. Wood and Holland were ar
rested in n nearby saloon."
Aldermen Meet Tonight.
The Board of Aldermen Will meet tonight
~.