Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-10-21
STRIPES OF HONOR
RIPPED OFF JACKET
OF ACCUSED SAILOR
Charge of Robbery Ends
Y ars of Distinguished
Service for Member of the
Missouri S Crew.

A former sailor in the United states
navy. once laudcd by his superiors and
admired and respected by his fellows. but
now bowed with disgrace and stripped of
his honors, stood In the prisoners dock in
Central Station today, accused OF assault
and battery and robbery OF citizen.
He is Joseph Barsotti. llO8 Wrlghtswood
avenue, Chicago. late OF the battlcship
Missouri, now living at anchor at the
Philadelphia Navy Yard. The victim Of
Bars0tti's alleged assault, d. Lynn Ma
gruder lies seriously IN at his home IN
Bryn Nawr. He was represented in court
TO-DAY by a brother and an attorney,
Barsotti and Alvin F. Mack, of Ches-
ter, were held without bail By Magis-
trate Rsnshaw on the charge Of assault
and battery and highway robbery. Both
men. together with William Emmertz, a
chauffeur of $50 North 18th street were
arrested in connection with the Magru-
der robbery
Tho detectives say the sailor confessed
his guilt 70 them In moment of conf
dcnce several days ago. Mr. Magruder
was robbed in Farmount Park on the
morning Of October l3 while riding in a
taxicab Barsotu Alvin Mack, Of Ches-
ter and William Emmett. a chauffeur,
are under arrest Another man is being
sought.
Yesterday Detectives Walters and Nc
CHM went to League Island, They say
a watch valued at $500. tallying with a
description of one said to have been
stolen from Mr. Masruder, was found in
Barsotu's locker.
Later in the day the sailor was sum-
moned before his superiors. Still later
he was ordered on deck. His fellow
sailors Of the Missouri stood about at
attention and Eazed Iueerly at Barsotti
Captain WalleTson read the charge
against the once h0HOTed member OF his
crew. Barsotti hung his head
There was a silence as the master at
arms was ordered 10 rip the service stripes
from Barsotti'S sleeve and remove from
his coat other decorations Of honor. Tho
sound Of the knife as II ripped threads
which held down stripes representing
years Of honorable service could be plain
ly heard by each member Of the crew
standing by
When th- last decoration had been re-
moved and the sleeves hung bare save
for the little threads blown about by
the wind, Bsrsotu heard his dishouorable
dismissal from the navy read 10 the men
assembled, Then a large mark was made
with red ink on his discharge papers and
the man ordered 10 march from the ship
Detectives Walters and McGinH witnessed
these proceedings.
With never a glance 10 the right or left
BaTsptti vas escorted down the gang
plank over the gravel road To the gates
Of the navy yard, and pushed out, Then
the detectives arrested MIN.
The capture Of Barsatti vas due 10 work
on the part Of Sergeant James Martin. an
aid In Captain CamorOn's office, and Spe-
cial Policeman O'Neill Uf the llth and
Winter streets station.
After the robbery O'Neiu ferrsted out
the chauffeur and got from him pocket
book belonging 20 Mr.. MagrIder The
chauffeur said he found Il on the floor OF
his tsNlcab and that he had no hand In
the robbery
Several DAYS ago Alvin Mack telephoned
from Chester 10 the office Of Captain
Cameron. saying ne could tell who mad
Mr. MaEruder's watch. Sergeant Martin
answered and Induced Mack 20 come 10
Philadelphia II was m this way that the
identity of the sailor was established