Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-10-15
ROAST CHICKEN BACK
OF POLICE SQUABBLE
Whether Beer Had Aught to Do
With Case, Causes Diff
ferent Opinions

After a gruelling examination of
more than a score of witnesses, ex-
tending over three hours, the police
committee of Steelton's borough coun-
ell, sitting last evening to probe
charges against Patrolman Clinton
Jones, a colored officer, discovered
that one of the chief causes for the
squabble that has excited Steelton for
weeks was chicken-roast chicken.
! The patrolman was charged with
having attended a wedding at 219
Francis street, the night of September
~ or 23, while on duty, and while
there, of drinking beer Witness after
witness was called. Some testified
that Jones had drunk beer and others
swore that he had not. Patrolman
! Pearson, fellow officer, testified that
he was with Jones that evening and
that they went into the cellar to eat
chicken.
Was there much chicken there?"
asked Borough Solicitor Wickersham.
Lots, Yo Honor, lots" smiled Pear
son.
Eat any?"
'Nevah ate mo-, Yo' Honor"
one chicken. He was roasted brown,
an All nevah cut that bird. All JUS
ate him whole
And that seems to be the principal
lundisputed testimony that was pro-
duced at the hearing.
Testimony Both For and Against
Burgess Fred Wigfield, Sergeant
Masters, Charles Gordon, a mechanic,
and Mrs. William e. Dickson, colored,
testified to the patrolman's alleged
misconduct prior to August %, when
he was suspended by Burgess Wigfield.
The testimony of these witnesses was
refuted by Chief Fl. p. Longnaker,
William 10. Dickson, Patrolmen Pear
son, Trombino and Wynn. The bur-
CESS swore Jones was Ito certain de-
gree intoxicated" when dismissed.
Chief Longnaker swore I'm my opin-
ion he didn't have drop in him."
and the fellow officers testified that
; they didn't think Jones had been
drinking.
DR.. ]. H. Champion, of Harrisburg,
testified that Jones had been under his
care and that he was subject to
cramps. This was to explain Jones'
absence from duty.
Contradictory Evidence
With reference to what transpired
at 219 Francis street the nights of
September % and 23 there was much
, contradictory testimony. Foreigners
! testified that they saw Jones either
! drink beer or have a glass of it in his
= hand. Thomas ]. Muldood and Ira
Rider, son of John Rider, a school
director, gave additional testimony
: against the patrolman. Rider and
, Chairman Nelly, of the police commit
, tee, clashed over some of the testi-
: mony Rider attempted to give.
WHO are you?" shouted Mr.. Nelly
, angrily when Rider told him he
= knew Jones neglected his duty and
! failed to report. "What right nave
Q you to say whether or not that man
!, lreported?"
: I'm not on trial, Mr.. Nelly" replied
y Rider. "If you just let me continue
4 l will tell you what I know"
Nelly to the Rescue
Chairman Nelly explained the diff
culties an officer works under and as
serted that it wasn't fair for outsiders
to interfere with an officers work.
John Brinton then testified that
q Jones had told him that he intended
, to resign because he had too much
" outside business. Councilman Reisch
said he had seen Jones go into the
/ cellar and said that he would substan-
f tiate what the burgess already said
concerning the visit to Francis street.
Sets Down His Glass! Alas!
" Following Councilman Reisch's tes-
r timony the defense of Prolman Jones
began William Stevenson colored,
n Philip Gruie, a member of the band
# that furnished music; Dusan Yaryan-
ian, Thomas Sain, Uikola Marfanovic,
N AnJO 6OhONlcs Joseph NTOTet Il pTl-
vate detective. and High Constable
., Bomgardner all testified that they saw
a Jones at the wedding, but that he did
n not drink anything. James Porter,
who says he accompanied Jones to
the wedding, explained that Jones was
handed a glass of beer, that he raised
it as before a toast and then sat it
V down on the table again. Porter then
y drank the beer, he swore.
n Patrolman Jones' in his own de-
n fense, testified that he was sent to the
Q wedding by Chief Longnaker. He de-
r. MED drinking anything. He told about
!, eating lots of chicken and good
!: po'k" while he was in the cellar. The
i hearing then closed.
s Now Up to Council
q The final chapter of the Jones Incl
J. dent is now up to council. What ac-
n ton that body will take at it's next
n meeting is a matter for conjecture.
n All the borough councilmen except
o President Reynders, Mr.. Stees and Mr..
lCapella were at last evenings hearing.
None, however. except Mr. Waggen-
baugh. would make any comment on
their future action.
is Mr.. Waggenbapgh made a signifi-
d cant henark, however, when he was
is asked IL he wanted to give any teti-
h mony before the committee.
h Gentlemen, / am not witness here
r. in this case" significantly remarked
,g the councilman, and there was just a
lie shade of emphasis on the word this. "