Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-07-07
POLICEMAN JUMPED N
RIVER, TO ESCAPE
FROM CARD GAME:

j. A. Baughanis Companions Didn't
See Him Come UP and Thought He
Was Drowned-Officer, However,
Summarized from Island to Island
and Beat 1t to Station-House
Where he rendered His Resignation.
CHANGING up from q game of cards
poker, according to current report
which was in progress yesterday OH
Williams island, off from Forest Hill
park in the James river, Policeman J.
A. Baughan was so surprised at seeing
Police Captain Wright and Police
Sergeant Goldsby approaching that he
dived into the river without stopping
to divest himself of any Of his cloth
ing.
The two police officers and the other
card players, eight i'll number, ran to
the waters edge where Baughan, was
seen to disappear, and waited for him
to come to the surface. When several
minutes passed and there was no sight
or him the watchers began to feel
anxious for his safety. Anxiety turn
ed to grave concern when another
period of watchful waiting passed
without sign Of the p2trolman, and
the conclusion was reached that he
Hdu drowned.
At the suggestion of Captain Wright
one OF the men in the party removed
his clothing and began diving at the
point in the river where Baughan
was last seen, hoping by this means
to locate his body. The would be
rescuer continued at his difficult as
s1gnment for some time without be
Ing able to report any success, and
was finally called off, his futile efforts
strengthening the belief that Baughan
had lost his life.
Inc players were taken ashore and
charged with disorderly conduct, and
captain Wright began to consider ways
ana means OF dragging the river for
Baughan's body.
Several hours later Baughan Great
ed mild sensation by appearing at
qhe Third precinct station house alive
: ana we'll He, brought his resignation
:" me pFH< orce with him, and
toua. at ponce headquarters Chief
of Police Werner announced that it
had been accepted. His successor will
be appointed shortly. Bauglan had
been attached to the force since 1911
part OF the time as a member of the
h1rst-Precinct force, but more lately
iHiih pi cClilCI patTolllan.
In the Soutbside police court today
the players arrested by Captain Wright
ana Sergeant Goldsby were fined SIS
apiece.
SUMMARIZED TO ADJACENT
ISLAND.
instead OF sinking to watery grave
after his plunge overheard from the
island, Baughan who has the reputa
ton OF being an expert swimmer swan
under water in the approved subma.--
rlne style to another island nearby.
Then, by easy stages, touching at is
lands located not too far apart, he
made his way in safety to the north
side or the river. He secured dry cloth
ing and then went to the police sta
ton to tender his resignation.
When word reached Captain Wright
that gambling was in progress on the
island he fastened to the river bank
but found that the only available
boat was tied up at the island. Unde
terred by this he removed part of his
clothes and returned to the island after
being observed, secured the boat and
returned to the Southside shore. Then
clohtes and returned to the island after
dried himself, again donned hi,
summoning Sergeant Goldsby.
(News Leader, July Q, 1919