Twin-City herald. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1927-1940, 1933-08-12
Aiken Indicted
N.A.A.C.P. May Aid
In His Defense

Anderson Aiken, 96OS Smelling ave-
nue., shell shocked world war veteran
who shot and fatally wounded Pa
trolman John w. Thomas two weeks
ago was indicted for first degree muir
der by the Hennepin County grand
jury Tuesday.
Officer Thomas died Sunday after
physicians had predicted his recov-
cry. Aiken shot Thomas after the
officer and another patrolman forced
their way into his home presumably
to question.
The trouble began several weeks
ago when construction concern re-
building the Cargill grain elevator
built a temporary toilet next to Ak
ems back fence. Aiken protested to the
contractor because of the close prox-
unity of the toilet to his kitchen win
dow. Protests to that source awaited
him nothing. He finally appealed to
the Health Department and police au-
thorities all to no avail. About
week before the fracas the Patrol
man Thomas went to Aiken's home
according to reports and attempted
to belittle Aiken's contentious that
the toilet should either be moved are
connected with the sewage system.
Workers Jeer Causes Trouble
On the day of the trouble a white
worker employed on the building
project passed by the Aiken home as
Mr.. Aiken stood in his front yard.
He made jeering remark at the war
vet, a remark which evidently in
censed him. He walked over to the.
man and struck him with the handle
of broom.
Police Called
Immediately after the fracas
group of white men from the build
ing project gathered in front Of the
Aiken home. Police were called
Aiken meanwhile had locked himself
in the house fearing violence from
the assembled workers. The police
squad car despatched by radio in the
meantime hurried to the scene of the
trouble picking up Patrolman Thomas
who had reputation for being pug
nacious. The police pounded on the
door. Not being admitted by Aiken
who had fed to an upper room in his
house Thomas forced open a cellar
window and admitted fellow officer
Thomas Shot
According to Aiken he heard men
coming up his stairs. Thomas is al
legged to have said, "Tll go up and
get that damn n-r." Aiken, accord
ing to his relatives, thought the Of
ficers were the angry workmen on
the building project bent on wreak-
ing vengeance on him. He claims he
shot only after Thomas fired at him.
Thomas fell in the doorway of Aiken's
room.
A police riot call brought police
led by the police superintendent,
Joseph Lehmeyer. After shots from
police rifles failed to dislodge him,
the man finally surrendered to tear
gas bombs tossed into the upper sec
ton of the house by Chief Lehmeyer.
Mr.. Aiken was held in Jail until the
death of the man which occurred last
Sunday. His wife, Mrs. Aiken, COM
planned to Martin Brown of Johnny
Baker Post of the American Legion
to which Aiken formerly belonged of
the insulting remarks cast at her by
police and jailers at her every visit
to the Jail to see her husband. Aiken
has needed medical attention during
his Incarceration. Martin Brown
phoned police headquarters last week
and the officer in charge referred to
Aiken as that mr..
N. A. A. C. d. Considers Defense
The executive board of the Mime
apolis branch of the National Asso-
citation of Colored People met Wed
nesday afternoon to consider whether
the case involves a violation of
Aiken's civil rights or whether racial
discrimination is factor in the case.
After investigation and a query of
the national office the committee will
decide whether the local branch will
finance the defense of Aiken.
Aiken Victim of War
One of the officers of Johnny
Baker Post told Herald reporters that
Aiken has been suffering with men,
tai ailment from the effects of shell
shock in the world war.