Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1914-06-25
DEPUTY US. MARSHALL
Gets JAIL Sentence
CONVICTED OF BRUTALLY
ASSAULTING AN INNO-
CENT MAN.
Federal Officers Try to Intimi-
date Prosecuting Witness by
Framed Up Arrest.

The mendacity of deputy United
States marshals in attempting to en-
force the prohibition law by beating
up innocent people was given de-
cided setback by Justice OF the Peace
j. j. Slack yesterday when he SEN
fenced W. r. Plank, deputy marshal
from Clarcmore TO 80 days in the
county Jail and to pay fine Of SIS
for assault and battery The utmost
disregard for the law was shown by
officers Of the marshals office in
this case, and after they had failed
to browbeat the prosecuting witness,
Charles Eldridge. into dismissng the
case, they took revenge by having him
arrested for interfering with an Off
Ger in the discharge OF his duty.
This was done with the tacit con-
sent of Deputy United States Attor-
noy Arch Bond, who was sent here
by District Attorney Linebaugh TO de-
fcud Plank Mr.. Bond allowed the
arrest Of Eldridge, which was done
purely out of revengeful motives, to
proceed with a protest.
Last Month Plank and Deputy
Marshal Holmes Davidson, stationed
here entered the ST Regis hotel and,
without showing a search warrant
proceeded to search the building for
liquor
Eldrdge who roomcd there and IL
a working man, was on the back
porch when Plank approached him
and demanded that he open his trunk
for the inspection Of the officers At
first Eldrdgo declined unless the Of
ficor showed him a search warrant
Nn..1
blackjack and threatened Eldrdge,
he agreed to open his trunk. This
was after the officer told him that il
was none Of Eldridgc's business
whether he had search warrant or
not
Eldridgc and the officer entered the
room ana Eldridgc had lifted the tray
out of the trunk and was showing
the officer its contents. when Plank
drew heavy revolver and while Ed
ridge was looking into the trunk.
struck him a terrific blow with the
! butt Of the gun.
Eldridee was hit in the face and fell
TO the floor, probably permanently in
| juring his side in the tall
The officer paid no further atten-
| ton TO him and searched the trunk,
| finding no evidence of liquor.
Eldridge then filed complaint
against Plank on a charge Of assault
and battery Yesterday morning the
evidence brought out showed that
| Holmes Davidson intimated to certain
| people that unless Plank dropped the
charge against Plank, he would ar
rest Eldridge on a charge of interfer-
ing with an officer. Davidson practi-
cally admitted this on the stand.
Plank admitted on the stand that
he had several years ago plead guilty
to charge of larceny al Muskogee
and served term in prison. He said
the reason he hit Eldridge was be-
cause Eldridge had cursed him
This case. more than anything OF
recent occurrence. has disguised de-
cent people with the so-called en-
forccment of the prohibition law here
and one OF the foremost supporters of
/ strict enforcement, Ellis Robinson
/ appeared IN court as special prosecu-
tor in the case
Immediately after Judge Slack had
assessed the heaviest Jail sentence
possible under the law. Holmes Dd-
Nds1n turned on Eldridge and placed
him under arrest for interfering witt
an officer. He was later released or
bond Woodson Norvell. Democrat,
candidate for attorney general. ap
pcarcd for Plank after the trial wa'
over and served notice Of an appea
for the disgraced deputy marshal.