Norwich bulletin., 1917-01-03
SHIPYARD ROW AIRED
IN GRoToN COURT
Judge Latinner Imposed $50 Fine on
Fred Pierce.

In the Groton town court Tuesday
morning the case against the disturb
ers of the peace at the Palmer ship
yard last Saturday night was brought
by Prosecuting Attorney Warren B.
| Burrows before Judge Frederick P
| Latimer.
| One man, Henry J. McDermott, was
| charged with intoxication and breach
| of the peace. McDermott had a preVi-
| made in his case for his good charac-
| ter in the past. The case was nolled
| by payment of the costs, amounting
| to $500. McDermott claimed he had
| an honorable discharge from the Fiji
| teenth New York infantry and served
| through the Spanish American war
| His home is in Brooklyn.
Fred Pierce was charged with intox-
| ication and breach of peace and for
! the first count was fined IS and costs,
| amounting to $3.50. For the second
he was fined s25 instead of the 30
| days jail sentence which the judge
at first considered. On account of his
being a married man with five chill
dren he was given the lesser punish
ment with a caution that he would
receive all that was coming to him if
the offense was repeated.
Several witnesses were heard and
it was brought out that there was
distinct difference of opinion as to
what really happened at the plumbing
shop of the plant during the disturb
ance which resulted in Superintendent
NJ eader receiving a severe cut on one
side of his head.
Captain Meader says he has no IDEA
who it was who struck him with a
piece of pipe He saw several men
handling such pieces. He sent for
several men out of the ship. The Of
f1cer was unable to do this as the
men refused to leave. WhIpple then
called on the captain to assist him in
re- no fhn %Iaa III
was struck He knew nothing more
of the racket.
officer Whipple stated that he was
at the office of the plant, which is his
station while the Een are being paid
off on Saturday afternoons. He was
sent for to come to the plumbing shop
and on arriving found a fight going
on. He ordered the men out and ask
ed Captain Meader to help him put
them out when they told him to go to
HI with his law. He saw someone
strike the captain and the man had
a piece of pipe in each hand. Directly
the first blow was struck Whipple
fired his revolver. striking the man in
the arm. He told the men he would
kill the first one who touched Captain
Meader. and with the assistance of a
man who appeared not to be intoxi-
Gated like the rest he dragged him
out Of the shop to safety. being later
assisted by Mr.. Pike, who arrived on
the scene as he got Meader out of
doors.
Pierce testified in his own behalf
that he had been engaged to take care
yard by E. A. Morse, president of the
company, Mr. Morse finding him in
New York, where he had previously
worked for him. and telling him he
would confer a favor on him if he
would take the Noank position. He |
said Captain Meader had told him sew
eral times that he would raise his pay |
and had jolIied him along for weeks !
in that manner That he was not |
getting what his position called for |
and that on the Saturday afternoon |
in question he went into the office and |
told Captain Meader he wanted more |
money. The captain refused it and /
denied that he had ever promised it. |
He then told him he was through. |
shop and asked for the keys. These
he gave him and Meader went out, |
coming back directly and asking |
Pierce if he wanted to fight. On his |
saying that he did not. Meader struck |
him. All he did was to try to ward /
off the blows the captain attempted to |
land. He said he only defended him
self; and did not know who struck the
coat and heard nothing about being I
under arrest AS he had an appoint I
ment with a man in Mystic he left 1
the shop. and was later arrested in |
Mystic. While he admitted having 1
been drinking. he was sure he knew |
exactly what happened and was cor i
in his statements by two
men, Alec Miller ard a Mr.. Bray, both II
Of whom said Meader forced the fight
ing.
Superintendent Meader was recalled
and denied the story, in which he was
upheld by the testimony, again given,
IF Officer Whipp1e.
Judge Latiner said the whole condi-
ion showed guilt and. while he was
Inclined to be easy on the offenders
his time they would be severely pun /
shed If they appeared before him |
again. III
The wounded man, Daniel Shivio, III
shot by Whipp1e. is still in Lawrence II
hospital.
Cutting Ten Inch Ice.