The Washington times., 1921-09-04
Brauest Policeman On u. G. Force
Recalls His 2 Hardest Fights


Times Medal, Has Had Many
Close Calls. But Says He
Quickly Forgets Them.
Some OF the most daring acts
of a city detective are neUer; k,tot07s
to the general public. Their hair
breadth escapes frequently rival the
detective story IN the popular mag
dxi,se. The Washington Times to-
day begins q series of stories told
by members Of the detective bu-
reau of the Washington Police De-
pertinent, and hdvina to do tofth
my ndrroUsst escdpe-my most
thrilling erpsyience."
the Central office, 10 considered one
ington Police Department.
One OF the youngest and most active
members Of the detective bureau.
Scrivensr has faced death a score Of
times. He has been under fire on q
number Of occasions, was nearly shot
to death by negro fugitive. has been
trapped In close corners by his quarry
but always succeeded in fighting his
way clear and capturing his man.
The washington Times asked De
incident n Sis polo. ssperiencs he
considered the closest call he had
from death. .E..
Il have had numerous close calls"
siad Scrivener. but they never wor-
ried me. I quickly forgot them, be-
cause generally got my man--and
got him alive.
Ono Thrilling Fight.
"one thrilling experience I had
which. however, shall always re-
member was the time arrested
Arthur Knott at his home In George
town after he had barricaded himself
in his room. defying police to enter.
Knott on June II. 1912. was Great
ing q disturbance In q Georgetown bar
room. Two policemen tried to subdue
linn. but he knocked them down and
ran into his home few doors away.
Reaching his room. Knott went on q
rampage. Arming himself with a re-
volver. he fired shots from the window
and threw furniture out to the street.
Tho man apparently bad become
violently insane. The neighborhood
had become terror stricken. Women
and children rushed to places Of
shelter, out of range Of Knotts re-
volver shots and tho articles he cast
from the window Of the room IN
which he had barricaded himself.
"II, kill anyone who comes near
mer shouted Knott"
When Scrivener arrived on the
scene he was pleaded with to capture
the man. but warned against taking
chances which would endanger his
life.
Fearless, scrivener dashed up the
stairs. Reaching the barricaded
room. scrivener demanded Of Knott
that he open the door. A revolver
shot was the answer. II did not
strike Scrivener. Scrivener was not
q member Of the detective bureau
at that time. He was in uniform.
Placing his shoulders to the door, he
forced II open.
As Scrivener burst into the room
Knott fired another shot at him. He
was about to fire point blank At the
policeman's heart. when Scrivener
seized his arm and disarmed him. 4
terrible battle followed, Scrivener and
Knott rolling over the floor In q
quered. He believes to this day that
dad Knott got the better of him he
Mould have been killed.
But" said Scrivener, IT did not
want to harm the man. realized
he was apparently crazed by drink
that he did not know what he was
doing. True, I subdued him with q
blow. But got him out OF the
house and locked him up at the
Seventh precinct police station.
Scrivener Is the detective who was
awarded the gold medal, offered by
The Washington Times, after he had
been adjudged the bravest and most
heroic member Of the Washington
police force.
Capture OF Hold-up Man.
Another occasion when Scrivener's
life was ENDANGERED was when he
captured Thurman Brown, q negro
fugitive who had been convicted Of
q series Of hold-ups and robberies
in the District. Accompanied by
Detective Sergeant Edward J. Kelly,
his partner, Scrivener located Brown
walking on Third street near !
northwest on August IL. last.
When Brown saw the detectives
he commandeered an automobile.
thrustins q revolver In the face OF
the driver. speed up, OF I'll kill
youv" Brown demanded Of the driver.
Scrivener leaped into another auto
mobile and gave chase. Brown fired
at the detective. Scrivener returned
the fire. During the pistol battle.
Scriyener was shot twice. But the
fact that he suffered two bullet
wounds did not stop him. He urged
the driver Of his automobile to speed
up. Then reaching the car Brown
occupied, Scrivener, with blood flow
ing freely from the bullet wounds he
had suffered leaped on the running
board and captured the negro.
After Brown had been locked UP.
he admitted that Scrivener was the
brayest man he had ever encountered
during his long career a. q hold-up
man. ..
R,,iId;no NeaY ConoDiete.