Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1918-12-04
CHARGES POLICE
BEAT SOLDIERS
Shell Shocked and Wounded,
Discharged Doughboy Shows
Signs of Severe Beating

Two discharged soldiers who have
been Injured In service abroad were
the storm centre In street fight at
Smith street and Madison avenue Lam
night which resulted in the arrest of
the two and the escape of a third
soldier wearing the handouts of
Roundsman Andrew Jensen.
One of the soldiers is suffering
from shell shock. He presented a
pitiable appearance in police cougt
this morning, shaking with nets.sns
excitement and jumping at the leas-
touch of a policeman. He and his
companion were fined $40 each by
Recorder Pickersgill for being drunk
and disorderly.
Harry X. Golenbock. an attorney.
who was an eye witness at the fight
last night. appeared voluntarily IN
court this morning and accused
Patrolman Buchan of brutally strik-
ing the men with his nightstiek when
they were engaged in the fight, and
later when they were handcuffed in
the patrol wagon. Buchan denied
the charge but Mr.. Golenbock insist
ed that the treatment of the two men
was so unwarranted apd so brutal
that he and other bystanders were
considerably shocked and wrought
up about II.
The attorney was informed by the
recorder that redress against the
policeman could be obtained by ap-
pealing to the police committee of
the Board of Aldermen and that any
illegal action on their part was pun
ishable by that committee. Mr.. COL
enbock said later that he had not de-
cided whether or not he would press
charges against the man.
A citizen was approached last
night on Madison avenue by a SOL
dier who asked him. he claims. to buy
whiskey for him. He refused to do
so and informed Patrolmah Buchan
that another civilian had started for
a saloon to buy the whiskey.
I. Buchan started after the soldiers
who were standing at Smith street
and Madison avenue and told them
that they must not start to drink
whiskey and II they did he would
lock them up.
In a second an argument took
place. Buchan grabbed one of the
men, civilian, who was drunk. The
soldiers started to help the civilian
called for help and Rudolph Kish,
watchman, ran to his assistance and
began to blow his whistle for help.
He blew loud and long and big
crowd of citizens, soldiers and sailors
gathered but no other policeman ap-
peared for some time. Later Rounds
man Andrew Jensen rushed to the
scene and he started in to help
Buchan and Kish. Later on Patrol
men MCGOWAN and Harding arrived.
The policemen and q number of
soldiers who were helping the three
men whom Buchan was after were
soon having a battle royal and hun
dreds of people gathered and in the
battle the police clubs played
prominent part and when the mill
tary police, in charge of First Ser
geant Mayne, arrived on the scene
one of the soldiers. Ernest Hark-
ness, who is now stationed at the CAL
ifornia Loading Company plant at
Morgan, was in bad shape from the
beating he had received at the hands
of the police.
Harkness is an oversee soldier who
was shot in the hip and shell shocked
in one Of the battles of the war. He
was taken to a doctor and his wounds
were dressed. after which he was
locked up for the night.
Michael McCarty, an ex-&oIoter
who is also employed at the Califor-
mia Loading plant. was also arrested
and locked up. Private John Coward,
better known as Speed" managed TO
get away in the scuffle. He has pair
of handouts belonging to Roundsman
Andrew Jensen which the roundsman
placed on his wrists expecting to lock
him up but he got away in the excite
ment.
Roundsman Jensen was kicked in
the leg and Patrolman Buchan had
his handouts pulled away from him
but recovered them later on. Both
Patrolmen MCGOWAN and Harding
were bitten on the hands.
FOR SALE