Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1913-07-18
Band Master Hits Mr.. Rogers


AS the result of a word Of mouth
and fist fight at the Wild wood Casino
bandstand Wednesday afternoon about
five O'Clock George w. Rogers, a Holly
Beach cottager, well-known as the
water agitator, Is in the Emergency
hospital, and ID. Cisnfoni, the band
master, is under $1,000 bail to appear
before the September grand jury to
answer to the charge of assault and
battery upon Mr.. Rogers. It appears
that Mr.. Rogers wasdelivering a speech
of welcome during a band intermission
to the Frankfort exeursionists from
the platform occupied by the band
master when leading his band. When
it came time for the music to continue
Mr.. Cianfoni, 1t is said, requested Mr..
Rogers to stop speaking. This led to
some angry words and Cianfoni hit
Mr.. Rogers, who tainted. The Caeino
vas filled with people and much ex-
element was created. A call wa sent
to DR.. Kelchner's Emergency hospital
for the ambulance and MI. Rogers
was taken there. He remained uncon-
scious for a couple of hours or 80, and
about eight O'Clock during a rational
period an officer was sent for and Nj.
Rogers swore out q warrant for the
bandmaster, which was served shortly
after during an interval of the playing
at the bandstand. He was
taken before Squire Coombs and
released on $500 bail furnished by
James Day, the barber. Later in the
evening, however, at the request of
County Prosecutor Jefferson he was
locked up until the hearing which
took place In the city hall last night,
where q big crowd of men, women and
children had gathered. The children,
however, were asked to retire. The
hearing was held before Squire Coombs
and Prosecutor Jefferson was present
with a s~tenographer and a physician.
Judge Voorhees, represented Mr.. Clam
foni. Mr. Rogers was physically un-
able to be present. Five witnesses
were sworn.
Charles Martin, of Philadelphia,
100 E. Poplar avenue, private secretary
for a MI. tones, testified to seeing
Cianfoni hit Rogers with closed fist on
top of head. Rogers did not threaten
him until after he was hit. !.
Miss Katherine Hinton saw Clan
foni direct two or three blows toward
Rogers.
Professor L. Myers, secretary Of the
Wildwood Board of Trade, testified
that Rogers was requested by a COM
mittee Of the board of trade to give an
address of welcome to the Frankfort
excursionists. Said Rogers was speak
ing and was then interrupted by band.
After the band ceased Rogers resumed
speaking. Saw him strike Rogers on
back Of neck or shoulder but the blow
was not a very powerful one. Saw no
effort of Rogers to strike.
DR.. Kelchner testified that he grad
uated at the University of Pennsylva-
MIA in 1898. Found Rogers suffering
from shock, due to concussion Of brain.
Patient vas improving, but not out of
danger.
DR.. Dix, of Court House, testified
that he graduated at the Maryland
University in Baltimore In 1895. Was
one of the coroner Of Cape May
county. Made an examination Of Mr..
Rogers at the request of the prosecutor
a few minutes before he took the wit
ness stand. Found neck tender and
swollen, and bruised at base of brain.
A number of blows could have pro-
dueed such a condition. The patient
was semi-conscious when he examined
him. Thought he would recover, al
though could not tell absolutely until
about "a hours had elapsed. Thought
the patient of an excitable nature.
The prosecutor asked that Cianfoni
be held to appear before the next grand
jury in $1,000 bail, which was furnished
the bondsmen being James 8. Day,
Mark B. Reeves, Winchester Bonham
and w. J. HARRISON. AT noon today
DR.. Kelchner stated that Mr.. Rogers
was improving and spent a better
night than the first one. Mr.. Rogers
wife is in Philadelphia, but her mother,
who is here In their cottage calls on
him every day.
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