060441492 MINUTES
CITY COMMISSION, SANFORD, FLORIDA, — JZLing 4 —_7 3�l 9 -4-1
The City Commission of the City of Sanford. Florida, met in special session
at the City Hall in the City of Sanford, Florida, at 3:30 o'clock P.M. June 4, 1941.
Present: Commissioner W.C.Hill, iftayor.
" H.James Gut
" Edward Higgins
" M.J.Lodge
City Clerk H N Sayer
Chief of Police R.G.Willia.ms
Absent: Commissioner G.E.Rolli.ns.
Meeting called to order by the Chairman who announced that the purpose of the meet-
ing was to investigate and consider all matters relating to the case of two City
employees, S.M.RiChard and Solon Teston, involved in a fight with a negro, Will Bush,
on Saturday night, May 31, 1941, stating that In view of the article published. in the
Sanford Herald on June 2nd, relative to the fight, and of phmors that there was criticism
and public sentiment against the employees.
Thereupon both employees apneared before the Board, separately, and made a
voluntary statement under oath, relating the factspertaining to the fight, which was
recorded and subscribed to before a. Notary.
The said testimonies disclosed evidence that it was not the intent of the em-
ployees to cause or even suspect any trouble in going to the negro's home, for
they had gone there upon a request from him to see the caretaker of the cemetery, and
that they did not carry any weapon of any kind and were completely unarmed at the time
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the fight took place. It also disclosed evidence that they, had found Will Bush in a
drunken condition and that he started fighting them with a knife before they realized
what was actually taking place. Also, it revealed the fact that the negro had been
ordered off the cemetery property three times recently for being in a drunken con-
dition.
The Clerk next testified that he had investigated the case to ascertain whether or
not the negro was under the influence of liquor at the time the fight took place,
stating 'Chat he had received a. statement from one liquor dealer that Will Bush had nur-
chased two small bottles of gin from him Saturday P.M. and drank the contents in his
presence; also a statement from a. beer and wine dealer that Will Bush purchased, and
drank either ale or beer in his place of business sometime Saturday P.M.; also a state-
ment from one merchant that the negro was in his store Saturday P1M. and was under
the influence of licuor at that time.
It was further revealed that Will Bush had gone to Mr Hawkins Connelly's
residence at 2432 Mellonville Ave. on the morning of Saturday May 31,1941 and notified
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them that he was unable to mow their lawn that day because of ailments of his back
and hip.
Thereupon after hearing all testimonies and careful consideration given the mat-
ter, It was the opinion of the Commission that the negro , Will Bush, was the
aggressor in the fight end that the two City emrloyees had. to take such measures
as they did to defend themselves, and that there was no further action to be taken
by the Board as the City was not concerned in the case insofar as prosecuting the negro
or defending the City emrloyees, in view of the fact that they were not on duty at
the time of the fight, and that it did not involve or take place on City owned propert y,
and was also outside the City limits.
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CITY COMMISSION, SANFORD, FLORIDA,_ .T M-& - 3:30
The Commission next ordered all testimony ta'ten in regard to the case filed in
the
the Clerk's office so that any parties interested in /case may avail themselves of the
contents. The Clerk was also instructed to obtain a. report from the attending
physician of Will 3ush as to his physical condition after the fight, and. file same with
other affidavits.
There being no further business the meeting adjourned.
Attest:
City Cl
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1-426 ,
Mayor.
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