Alexander Dixon, a coloured man, better known as "Dixie," and
Rosario, were charged by Mr. Chief Constable Fitzgerald with creating a
disturbance in Barkerville, on the 10th inst., also for drawing knives upon
each other.
Mr. Fitzgerald, being sworn, stated that he was coming through Barkerville
on Tuesday when he witnessed one of those scenes of disturbance which are
not infrequent there. He saw Dixie and Rosario on the hill behind the houses
where they had gone to fight with the knives. He separated them and told
Dixie to go home, advice which he adopted. Sub sequent to this he saw a
crowd on Barkerville street and Dixie came running out of Moses barber shop
flourishing a knife in his hand, with the intention of attacking Rosario
again. Witness believed that Rosario had not his knife drawn and he put
in his pocket when told to do so. Dixie was the worse of liquor.
Mr. Cox- What have you to say to the charge Dixon?
Prisoner - What Mr. Fitzgerald said is nearly correct; when he told me to
go home I went off; on my way home I met a carpenter named Bailey, who said
to me, "Hold on and take a drink;" we were coming up together
on the sidewalk when this man came behind me, I felt a "lick"
under the arm, and then another on the back; and next found myself down
on the road; Moses hauled me in.
Mr. Fitzgerald - The prisoner had it in his power to stay in Moses' shop,
and Moses even tried to keep him in.
Prisoner- I just wanted to look out to see that this man would not strike
me with his knife.
Mr. Cox - I will put an end to the drawing of knives in this creek. I fine
you $50, or in default six months imprisonment, and you must find bail to
keep the peace for six months. With respect to the Spaniard, he has never
been before the court before.
Rosario - He (Dixie) owed me money and put me off from day to day for three
weeks, and has not paid me; I did not draw the knife, I only use my hands.
Mr. Fitzgerald - I am not sure that the prisoner had the knife drawn, I
rather think not.
A coloured man was sworn who testified to the Spaniard hitting Dixie and
knocking him from the sidewalk on to the road on "all fours" when
Dixie picked himself up and ran into Moses' shop.
The wholesome punishment inflicted in this case will have a most salutary
effect in suppressing rowdyism on the creek. Mr. Fitzgerald deserves great
credit for his promptitude in arresting the of fenders and bringing them
to justice. We think it only right to mention that it is solely owing to
the small staff of constables at the disposal of the very efficient chief
constable that so many rows have taken place in Barkerville during the present
season. We hope that this will be remedied next year and that an extra number
of constables stationed here to preserve order. It will scarcely be credited
that Mr. Fitzgerald had only two men to as sist him in preserving order
in the whole of Cariboo, and one of the two has also had to act as jailer
in Richfield. When the great amount of work that is to be done in this district
is taken into consideration it is marvelous how small a staff has been able
to accomplish it. Mr. Fitzgerald has had sufficient office work to do in
connection with the courts to occupy nearly the whole time of a clerk, yet
he has left no part of his police duties unfulfilled. We have very great
pleasure in bearing testimony to the General efficiency of Mr. Fitzgerald
for the important and onerous duties which he has to dis charge, as well
as to the courtesy which he manifests to all who have any business to transact
at the Court House. In Messrs. Wood and McNeil Mr. Fitzgerald has two steady
and valuable officers, whose services we regret to say are very unrequited
by the Government.
