Evening journal., 1915-04-16
SHY policeman
USED Blackjack
ON AUTO DRIVER
Stanley D. Prouse and Of
ficer Washington, Colored
in Exciting Clash
FORMER is DISMISSED
BY JUDGE CHURCHMAN

Stanley D. Prouse, well-known
automobile salesman, was before City
Court this morning on a charge Of
disorderly conduct and with resisting
Patrolman Robert Washington. a eel
ored policeman. After hearing con-
siderable testimony. some TO the ef-
feet that the policeman had drawn
his revolver and used his blackjack
after a dispute with Mr.. Prouse. Judge
Churchman dismissed the case against
Prouse.
Oflcer Washington testified that on
Tuesday morning, as he was crossing
Tenth street. near Tatnall, Prouse
ran his automobile very close to him,
and when asked why he did so, he
said Prouse used bad language. When
Prouse was requested TO go to the sta
ton to explain the matter to the cap
tain, he refused to do so, and resisted
arrest, Officer Washington said.
In cross examination Washington said
it was about ] O'Clock in the afternoon
and that az he crossed Tenth street
from the Wilmington Automobile gar
age to the opposite side the auto struck
him on the leg. lie denied he drew his
pistol, but said he drew his blackjack TO
compel prouse 10 release his hold ON his
throat.
Philip /. Garrett representing Mr..
prouse, cross examined the officer re-
garding some statements he made in
the case OF Montyid. recently arrested as
an accomplice of krakus WHO shot Pa
trolman Tierney This was done to test
Washiugton's credibilitv as a witness.
Washington denied he made some state.
ments attributed to him IN the Mont,id
case
TO Judge Churchmam Washington
said prouse came i'm Delaware avenue
and was about to turn into The Mecca
garage at the time Of the trouble
Mr.. Garrett asked Washington il
the previous week he did not draw his
blackjack and attempt TO hit the chief
of the fire department.
For the defence Mr. Prouse testified
that Washington had crossed the
street three feet back of three women.
Then the policeman. who was in civil
ian clothes and not on duty. stepped
in front of the car and placed his arm
on the lamp. When he asked the man
for his authority Washington threw
open his coat. pulled his revolver ana
pointed it directly at him, Prouse said
Dr. A. f. Frantz and Clarence
Beadenkopf came up then, Prouse
said. and objected TO the treatment
] nTr .Irs H..
and later Washington beat him with
a blackjack. Prouse testified. The
two colOred women stood on the
pavement and called to Washington.
"Bob, come on" prouse denied he
cursed Washington until the latter
used his blackjack He was positive
that it was revolver and not a
fiashlight that Washington drew.
Prouse testified he had informed
Washington that he would 30 TO the
station, because he felt he would be
safer there.
Clarence NJ. Beadenkopf, the next
witness, said he was riding out Tenth
street vixen he heard the noise When
he went over TO PrOuse and asked the
trouble, Washington opened his coat
and pulled his blackjack and started
for Beadenkopf the witness said. Mr.
Beadenkopf testified that Washington
struck at him and he protected him
! self. Washington tore his coat, ne
said. Then Washington started for
Prouse again, and as the officer al
tackled him with the blackjack they
wrestled for a time. Washington
dropped his blackjack and some one
else returned it to Washington and
he used il again on Prouse, Beaden.
kopf testified Before the officer took
Prouse to the box, he said TO the Two
women: Go on around and I'll be
there later" Beadenkopf testified.
To Deputy City Solicitor Lynn, Mn
Boadenkopf said Prouse and Wash
b irgton were in the car when he ar
: rived.
He gave Washington no reason to
attack him, he said. Washington
= kept saying, "Ill show you who !
am. ! know you, Ford" as he ad-
dressed Prouse. Washington had
been striking at Prouse before the
: latter resisted the officer, Beadtn-
! kops said. The car was directly fac
! ing the Mecca garage door
DR.. A. e. Frantz corroborated Mr
Beadenkopf regarding the trouble
Washington acted in a manner like
a man very much excited or one who
was not fit to be an officer of the
law, he said. and he saw Washing
ton beat Prouse With the vblack-
jack.
Chief of Police Black was in the
' court when Washington testified to-
day and when called as a witness re.
n lated that Washington in the Mont
vid case had informed him that Mont.
II yid had fred three times at him and
later Washington told the Police
H Commission that Montvid did not fire
at him.
H Frank Massey, James Salisbury
h Wilkin Strahorn, Edmund S Hellings
i DR.. Frantz and Clarence Beadenkopl
h testified as to the good character Of
n Mr.. Prouse.
\ Judge Churchman, at the close of Oh
II testimony. said this is very odd cas-,
and after hearing the evidence Of Chic
II Black the court reached the conclusion
II that the officer is not a truthful mm
II From his actions and the statement
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