enter name and hit return
POLICE-MEN NEWS
Transfers-Appoinments-News pertainin to those in blue
DECEMBER
1863
21 December 1863
THE MISSING CONSTABLE
The missing Constable of the Nineteenth Ward, Brooklyn, E.D., has not yet
been heard from. He left the Navy Yard about Thanksgiving, and that
is the last known of him. Two police officers have been in search of him,
but could find no clue as to his whereabouts, or whether he is dead or
alive. His name is Jerome HARTNEET. He is a single man, and was employed
by the Carpenters' Department at the Navy Yard. Marsh Lodge, No. 13,
of Masons, of which he is a member are in search of him.
JANUARY
1871
14 January 1871
DEATH OF A FAITHFUL OFFICER
The Fifth Precinct station house is draped in mourning as a mark of
respect to a deceased member of that force, Theodore SMITH, who died
this morning at his residence, No. 100 Ninth street, E.D., from cancer
of the stomach. Mr. SMITH, who leaves an affectionate wife and family,
was a native of this country and was born on the 4th day of May, 1830.
He assumed his duties as patrolman of the Forty-fifth Metropolitan
Precinct, now the Fifth Municipal, February 17, 1865. From that date
until Mr. SMITH was prostrated by the fatal illness he honored his
position by a faithful performance of its requirements and a proper
appreciation of good feeling and harmony between himself and his fellow officers.
JULY
1876
3 July 1876
The funeral of Officer Michael COLOHAN, of the Third Precinct, who died
last Sunday from a sunstroke received while escorting the remains of the
late Commissioner BRIGGS to Greenwood, took place yesterday afternoon
from the late residence of the deceased, No. 130 Douglass street. The
attendance was large, comprising among others, Police Captain FERRY,
Sergeants LEAVY, CADDEN, KELLETT and McCULLOUGH, and forty-eight
roundsmen and patrolmen from the Third Precinct. Eight policemen acted
at pallbearers. Ther remains were interred at the Cemetery of the Holy
Cross, Flatbush, Rev. Father GIVERMAN officiating.
5 July 1876
Patrolman Edward SCOTT, of the Fourth Precinct, who was struck in the
head with a stone on Saturday night, while attempting to quell a disturbance
among Jackson Hollow roughs, at the corner of Myrtle ave & Steuben st, is in
consequence very ill. This morning he is delirious. The supposed
assailant is under arrest, as published in Mondays Union.
6 July 1876
MURDERED.
PATROLMAN SCOTT Killed by Street Rowdies.
A Fatal low by the Jackson Hollow Gang-Several Arrests Effected by the
Police a Parallel Case
Patrolman Edward SCOTT, of the 4th Precinct, died last night fromthe effects
of a blow from a stone, received at an early hour last Sunday morning, in
attempting to disperse a crowd of disorderly persons from the corner of
Myrtle ave and Steuben st. The corner in question has long been the resort
of a bad lot of young men, known as the "Jackson's Hollow gang" so named
after one of the worst sections in the city.
Shortly after midnight of Saturday, Officer Scott had his attention
called to the corner by the noisy demonstrations of the gang in question.
Although well informed from experience of
THEIR DANGEROUS CHARACTER,
he unhesitatingly ordered them to disperse.
Mocking and derisive cries were is only answer. Seeing that persuasion was
to no avail, he courageously proceeded to arrest anyone bold enough to
dispute his authority. Seeing that he meant business, the ruffians sullenly
withdrew, though not until one of the number had thrown a stone at the
officer. Scott received the blow on the side of his head. For the moment it
stunned him, Several citizens seeing him stagger, hurried to his assistance,
and seeing blood pouring from the ugly wound he received, proceeded to
HELP HIM TO A DRUG STORE
at the corner of Myrtle ave. and Ryerson st. While so doing were met by
Officer Skelton and Van Brunt, who upon hearing that a comrade was in
trouble, had hastened to his assistance. Scott was then taken to the
station-house at the corner of Myrtle and Vanderbilt avenues, and attended
by Dr. Kissam. It was thought at the time that his injuries were not
dangerous, and accordingly after having his wound dressed, Scott was
assisted to his house.
Mean while the police of the precinct, by direction of Captain Leich had
not been idle. They scoured Jackson's Hollow and the vicinity, and succeeded
in arresting James McQuade and George W. Sanders, on suspicion of having
assaulted the officer.
Scott seemingly improved. On Monday evening he was apparently so far
recovered that he called at the station-house,saying that
HE FELT PRETTY WELL,
and thought he would soon be able to resume duty. Soon after, however he
began to complain of increasing pain in his head. He lay down, but becoming
worse Dr. Kissam was summoned. Yesterday morning he was delirious and at
nine o'clock last night was so alarmingly ill that the doctor ordered his
removal in an ambulance to the City Hospital. He was accordingly taken
there,and everything that medical skill and the sympathy of his brother
officers could suggest being done to render the journey as free from
discomfort and pain as possible. His life was however past saving and about
midnight he died.
Immediately upon the receipt of intelligence of his death, Captain Leich
proceeded,with the assistance of Sergeant Corr, Detective Price and Officer
Delehanty to
ARREST ALL PERSON PRESENT
at the time that Scott received his injuries. The officers worked
earnestly and well, and between one & five o'clock this morning, succeeded
in arresting the following:
John Hurley, aged 20 a driver of 81 Schenck st.;Edward Whelaban, aged 29, a
plasterer, of 142 Grand ave, Edward Hill, aged 18 a peddler,of 142 Grand
ave, Christopher Callahan, aged 21, a rag gatherer of Steuban st, James
O'Neil, aged 24 , a driver, of 527 Myrtle ave, John Condon, aged 21, a
cooper, of Grand ave, and Philip Croddock, aged 22, a peddler, of Smith st.
The case very clearly resembles
THE MURDER OF OFFICER DONOHUE,
of the 5th Precinct, some 4 years ago by the Battle Row gang. In that
instance as in this,it at first seemed impossible to ascertain who struck
the fatal blow, but under the searching questioning of the District-Attorney
the deed was brought home to Henry Rogers, who paid upon the scaffold the
penalty of his brutality. Although many have since asserted that Rogers was
no more guilty than several others of his associates, there is good reason
to believe that had it not been for the advice of certain persons he would
have finality made a confession that would have sustained the findings of
the law. Corner Simims has not decided when he will hold the Inquest.
July 6
PATROLMAN SCOTT'S MURDER THE INQUEST
The post mortem examination will be made at 4 PM, this afternoon by Dr
Shepard, at the hospital, after which the body will be removed to the late
residence of the deceased, No205 Fulton street.
The jury will be impaneled tomorrow, and after viewing the remains will
adjourn to such a time and place as may be selected.
All the prisoners were brought before Justice Riley this morning, and
committed to jail either as witness or on suspicion of having been party to
the assault of the deceased.
STETCH OF THE DECEASED.
Edward SCOTT was born in Ireland in June, 1841, and was consequently 35
years of age. He was originally a laborer, but finally rose to Captain of
the Erie barge James T. BRADY. On the 25th of July 1875, he was appointed
patrolman in the Tenth Precinct, from which he was transferred to the First
Precinct, and on the 19th November, 1875, to the Fourth Precinct . A few
months ago he achieved considerable fame by the arrests in San Francisco of
Halihan, who killed Wm. Russell several years ago in this city, and was had
up to the time of his arrest been a fugitive from justice. The arrest was
excellent, and Scott showed so much detective sagacity that his promotion
was urged upon the Commissioners. Upon inquiry, however, it was ascertained
that he was Republican, and although he was commended for his exertions, he
received no further or more tangible marks of approval. Scott had, however,
one great failing. He was apt to become easily excited and last fall he was
fined $50 by Justice Walsh for assaulting a citizen on Atlantic avenue.
7 th July 1876
SCOTT'S DEATH.
The Post-Mortem Examination and Inquest.Names of Those on the Coroner's Jury
- Death Due to Cerebral Meningitis-Some Doubt as to What Produced Death.
The police are exerting themselves to the utmost to bring to justice the
person or persons responsible for the death on Wednesday night of Policeman
Edward Scott, of the Fourth Precinct, from injuries received last Sunday
morning while endeavoring to quell a disturbance at the corner of Myrtle
avenue and Steuben street. Captain Leich and his men have been especially
active, and have succeeded in taking into custody the following:
Witnesses of the Outrage:
James CARBERRY, liquor dealer, of 533 Myrtle ave, James O'NEIL, James
McCARTHY, residing over the liquor store, John McCOWIE, and John FLOOD,
residing respectively at Nos.521 & 531 Myrtle ave, and Arthur BAYLANG, a
newsboy, residing at No 14 Steuben st.
The prisoners were permitted by the Coroner to depart upon their own
recognizance to appear when required.
The post mortem examination yesterday by Dr. SHEPARD, showed that death
was due to cerebral meningitis or congestion of the brain. As the wound on
the head was healed up the doctor could not state positively whether death
was solely due to the injuries inflected, although there is a strong
presumption that it was.
The inquest was begun at 3 P.M. today in the impaneling of
THE FOLLOWING JURY
which after viewing the remains of the deceased adjourned:
R.W.SMITH,66 Fulton st;
John J. DAVENPORT, 10 Ft Greene pl;
Martin MAUS, 652 Fulton st;
J.G. REITHER, 34 New York ave;
Edward T.JACKSON, 125 Willow st;
A.B.BROWE,205 Flatbush ave;
E. B. MEAD, 625 Fulton st;
H.J. DAYTON, 39 St,Felix st;
James E. SCOTT,457 Fulton st.
7 July 1876
Funeral of Policeman TRAVERS
The funeral of the late Officer Patrick TRAVERS,took place yesterday
afternoon from No 103 North 9th street, E.D. Officer Travers had been sick
with consumption for upwards of a year. He was 28 years of age and leaves a
wife and 2 children. He was formerly connected with the Fifth Precinct and
latterly with the Sanitary Squad. The Squad attended the funeral in
citizens' dress,as did Captain WOGLOM, Sergeant FIELDING and BUNCE and
several of the officers of the 5th Precinct. The remains were taken to
Calvary Cemetery.
8 July 1876
Surrogate's Court, Before Hon. Wm. D. VEEDER
Letters of administration, with the will an nexed,were granted on the estate
of Seaman Van Nostrand, of the city of Brooklyn, deceased.
Letters of administration were granted in the estates of the following named
deceased persons, viz: Joseph Schifers, Doreass Irving, John G. Schmidt,
Patrick Corbett, Phebe A. Weeks, Laura S Stuart, Patrick Fern, Kate A. Gray,
George Mitchell, William Harner, Thomas Gleavy, and Catharine McMahon all of
the city of Brooklyn.
Notice- the Surrogate will be in attendance and hold court on July 11 and
12, for the hearing of all
contested cases and proving of wills. Application for letters of
administration and letters of guardianship may be made on any day except
Saturday. Judah B. Voorhees, (Chief Clerk)
13 July 1876
ANOTHER POLICEMAN DEAD
The Fatal Effects of a Funeral Procession.
Patrolman Michael COLOHAN, of the Third Precinet, died suddenly last
evening. On Saturday he formed one of the 300 policemen that acted as an
escort to the remains of the late Commissioner of Police and Excise,
Hon.Daniel Briggs. Upon returning from Greenwood he complained of feeling
very much heated. The next morning he declared himself to ill too do duty,
but thought that his illness was nothing serious. As he left the
station-house in Butler street, he laughed good naturedly at the sallies of
his comrades. Upon reaching his house, No 130 Douglass st., he told his
wife that he felt a singular burning sensation about the lower limbs. He was
to have gone with her and his 2 children to a relative's to dinner, but
said that he guessed he would bathe his feet and lie down a little while
before setting out. He bade his family not wait for him. Mrs. Colohan and
the children accordingly went. Toward evening as he had not arrived, his
wife went in search of him. She found him lying on the floor just breathing
his last. A physician was summoned, but too late to be of avail. Colohan was
regarded as one of the best officers in the city. He was 27 yrs of age, of
gentlemanly demeanor,and powerful physique. He was also a Mason. His
appointment to the police dated from May 10, 1872. Counting Patrolman Briggs
this makes the fourth death in the Police Department within a week.
KEEPING THE POLICE STRAIGHT:
The Police Commissioners to-day imposed fines as follows upon members of
the force for wiolation of rules and neglect of duty:
Patrolman Charles BRADY, Third Precinct, fined ten days' pay for being
off post in a factory. On two occasions he had been fined five days'pay.
Patrolman Wm. HUGHES, Second Precinct fined five days' pay for leaving
his post and going to bed.
Patrolman M.J. HAGGERTY, Second Precinct fined three days' pay for
returning grossly drunk from patrol duty.
The following were each fined one day's pay for minor offences:
Patrolmen John REARDON and Peter DUNNIGAN, Fifth Precinct; Jas. RYAN,
Sixth Sub-Precinct; Peter TIERNEY, Ninth Sub-Precinct.
The complaint of Capt. Smith against Sergts. CAIN and EASON, and
Patrolman Samuel BROWN of the Eighteenth Precinct, for failing to
properly exert themselves in making arrests in the Crow MURRAY case,
were dismissed.
24 July 1876
Patrolman Miles KELCHER, of the Eleventh Precinct, met with a painful
and dangerous accident on Saturday afternoon in attempting to get on a
Belt Line Railroad car in West street, New York. Not observing a car
approaching from the opposite direction, he was struck by it on the
shoulder and knocked down, his left foot being thrown under one of the
rear wheels of the car he was about boarding. The result was the
sustaining of a compound fracture of the ankle, which necessitated his
removal to the Park Hospital, from whence he was removed to his home,
No. 65 Sackett street, and attended by Surgeon ROONEY.
THE NON-ARREST OF CHIEF NEVINS
Commissioners JOURDAN, PYBURN, AND HURD to-day listened to explanations
from Captain SMITH, Sergeant CAIN, and Officers RICARD and SMITH, of the
First Precinct, as to their faillure to arrest Chief Fire Engineer
NEVINS for assaulting Archibald D. GORDON. The officerd claimed that
they had exerted themselves to the utmost to bring the guilty party to
justice; that they had responded to the first alarm, and that GORDON
had declared his intention to go before a magistrate and make
complaint. It is said that President JOURDAN expressed himself
displeased with the way in which the case had been managed. The Board
took the matter under advisement.
WONDERFUL ESCAPE OF A BABY
The wife of Patrolman SHEA, of the Central Squad, was standing on
Saturday at an open second story window of her residence, No. 195
Lorimer street, when her infant, two years of age, sprang from her arms,
and before she could catch it, fell to the sidewalk, a distance of
fifteen feet. Strange to relate, the child apparently escaped injury.
ARRESTED FOR ALLEGED INSULTS
Herman SCHOLTZ, aged thirty-five, a music-teacher, of No 63 Jefferson
street, E.D., was arrested on Saturday afternoon in the Ninth Precinct,
charged with having on several occasions during the past two months
outrageously insulted members of the family of James WASHBURN, residing
corner of Lewis avenue and Witherspoon street.
28 August 1876
McKEE, James - Officer of the 6th precinct, died of consumption Saturday
eve. at his residence, 359 Kent avenue. Deceased had been ill for eight months.
4 September 1876
Policemen Fined
The Coney Island Case at Last Disposed Of
The commissioners of Police and Excise rendered their decision in the cases
growing out of the disturbances at the recent police excursion to Coney Island.
Patrolman Michael CARBERRY, of the Fourth Precinct, who was accused
of drunkenness and fighting, got off with ten days pay.
Patrolmen CAMPBELL &
Patrolmen McCANDLEY, of the Tenth Precinct, who were charged with disgracefully
assaulting Sergeant-in-Comand MAHER, of the Tenth Precinct, were each mulcted
(?) in a like amount.
In addition, the Board fined Patrolman DEVLIN, of the
Tenth Precinct, three days pay, for neglect of duty on another occasion.
4 September 1876
ASSAULT ON A POLICEMAN
Patrolman GILBSON, on Saturday evening, while on duty at Union Avenue and
Huron Street, attempted to disperse some corner loungers, who refused to
move, and seized one of the number to conduct him to the Seventh Precinct
Station, when he was set upon in such a determined manner by ther prisoner's
conrades, that under cover of a shower of stones, the prisoner and his
friends escaped.
8 September 1876
Captain Van DUSEN Dismissed
Captain William A. VAN DUSEN, of the Fifteenth Precinct, was placed on
trial this morning before the full Board of Police Commissioners, N.Y.,
charged with permitting Officers HENRY and CARR, of his Precinct, to be
locked up all night, on August 30, on the premised of Theodore ALLEN,
No. 95 Bleeker street. He was charged also with knowing that a "keno"
game was played at that place, and failing to stop it.
The Board adopted a resolution dismissing Captain VAN DUSEN from the force.
14 September 1876
Disciplining Policemen
The Board of Police and Excise, General James JOURDAN presiding, today
listened to complaints against members of the force. Decisions, accompanied
with penalties, were rendered as follows:
Roundsman N.L. HERBERT, of the New Lots Precinct, was fined three days
pay on the charge of using ungentlemanly language toward Laura J. CAMPBELL,
and refusing to arrest one P.L. SILK. on a charge of grossly assaulting his wife.
Patrolman Chas. BRADY, of Third Precinct, was fined two days pay for
being absent from relieving post at 12:15 A.M., and being thirty minutes
late in reporting at the station house.
Patrolman Thomas FARRELL of the Tenth Precinct, was ordered to be reprimanded
for neglecting on the 5th in between the hours of one and five o'clock A...
(missing) to examine the doors of Carl SANFORD's po(rk) packing establishment,
No. 466 Carleton avenue, in consequence of which he failed to discover
that the place had been robbed.
Two complaints were dismissed.
Death of Daniel DONAVAN
Mr. Daniel DONOVAN, being connected with newspaper ventures in the
Eastern District, died on last Tuesday night from typhoid fever. Deceased
was 45 years of age, and was a native of New York City. In early life he
engaged in the rope making and other lines of business, and was business
manager for the E.D. Times during some years of H....George C. BENNETT's
proprietorship. He was at one time Captain of the old Williamsburg police,
and was also foreman of Engine Company No. 7, of the Volunteer Fire Department.
21 September 1876
Policeman Fined
The Board of Police and Excise to-day fined Patrick P. CLEARY,
of the Eleventh Precinct, five days' pay for being off post, and each of
the following patrolmen one day's pay for slight infractions of discipline:
Michael CARBERRY and Charles MALMBERG, Fourth Precinct;
Adam FREY, sixth Precinct;
David W. DILL, Seventh Precinct,
Julius HALLMAN, Ninth Precinct.
4 October 1876
News Items--New Police Shields
The new shields of the detective squad of the Police Department made their
appearance today. They are smaller than the old badge, and bear the word
"Detective" in large letters diagonally across their face, with the words
"Brooklyn" above and "Police" below, the whole being surmounted by an eagle
with out-stretched wings. Each badge bears a letter instead of number to
designate the bearer. The great objection to the shield is that it has too
much of a holiday appearance, and fails to convey an idea of business.
POLICEMEN FINED
The commmissioners of Police and Excise today imposed the following
penalities upon members of the force for violation of rules:
Fined three days' pay for being off post in a print workds at 5:10 A.M.
PATROLMAN JOHN GIBSON, Seventh Precinct.
Fined a day's pay for minor violations PATROLMEN WM. RHATEGAN, 3rd Precinct;
WM. E. PERRINE, WM. QUIGLEY, THOS. H. BAKER, Michael CARBERRY AND JOHN M.
HILLBERG, 4th Precinct, and PATRICK CAMPBELL, 10th Precinct.
15 November 1876
DISCIPLINING THE POLICE
The Police Commissioners announce the following as the result of
yesterday's trials of members of the force:
Patrolman Patrick TIERNEY, of the Ninth Precinct, was dismissed from
the force for improper conduct while on duty.
Patrolmen Edward TUITE and Michael J. BOYLE, of the 12th Precinct,
were each fined two days' pay for loafing an hour in Engine House No. 14, in
Herkimer street, when they should have been doing duty.
Patrolman, Wm. E. PERRINE, of the Fourth; James WALSH, Patrick CUSICK
and Arthur DUGAN, of the Seventh: Thomas FOLEN and Thos. GOELLER, of the
Eighth Precinct, were each to be fined one day's pay for violation of the rules.
JULY
1877
7 July 1877
DIPTHERIA IN CAPT LEICH’s FAMILY
Police Captain Oliver B. Leich, of the Fourth Precinct, has met with a
severe affliction in the death of his daughter Martha C., aged five years
and six months. Her illness was occasioned by diphtheria, which in spite of
careful treatment, terminated fatally in three days on the 3d inst. The
funeral took place on Thursday from the Captain’s residence, No. 1548 Fulton
street. Since then other members of the family have been attacked with the
same malady, and it is reported to day that the Captain and his wife are
also undergoing medical treatment.
9 July 1877
DIPHTHERIA
Death of a Promising Physician, Dr. G. P. KISSAM - Condition of Police
Captain Leich and Family
Dr. George PURDY KISSAM, of No. 181 Schermerhorn street died at a quarter
after nine o’clock, yesterday morning, of diphtheria. It is supposed that he
contracted the disease attending a case in the family in Downing street. The
disease showed itself a week ago yesterday evening, and although the best of
medical attention was bestowed upon the patient the malady ran to a fatal
termination. The physicians in attendance were distant relatives of the sick
man - Police Surgeon Daniel E. KISSAM, Dr. Robert ORNISTON, Jr., and Dr. S.
Fleet SPEIR. Though the patient’s sufferings were intense toward the last,
he yet retained full control of his senses, and after giving his wife some
advice as to the future, calmly bade her adieu and died, confiding to her
care their two little children. When the funeral will take place has not
been decided, as the family are waiting to hear from distant relatives. The
deceased was born at Manhassett, L.I., and was about 30 years of age. He
graduated as Bachelor of Arts from Columbia College, and then obtained his
physician’s diploma after studying in the Medical Department of the
University of the City of New York. He was considered a young man of
promise, and some times temporarily performed the duties of police surgeon
in the absence of Dr. D. E. KISSAM. He attended Rev. TALMAGE’s church and in
social life had many friends. His case closely resembles that of a young Dr.
HUTCHINSON, of Clinton avenue, who died a few months ago.
Captain O.B. LEICH, of the Fourth Precinct, was no better this morning
according to reports received at Headquarters. His wife and some children
are also afflicted with the disease.
14 July 1877
VACATION FOR POLICEMEN
The Commissioners Afford Them Opportunity for Rest
The Board of Police and Excise believe in giving policemen a short vacation
every year, realizing how irksome continued confinement to within the city
limits becomes, and how much better the men discharge their duties after a
short period of relaxation. Yesterday, at a full meeting of the Board the
following resolution was adopted, upon motion of Gen. JOURDAN.
Resolved, that the usual summer vacation be and the same is hereby allowed
for all members of the police force, subject to such regulations as may be
determined upon by the Superintendent, in the following order:
For Captains, ten days’ leave
For Sergeants, eight days’ leave
For Roundsmen, six days’ leave
For Patrolmen, five days’ leave
For Doormen, three days’ leave
Leaves of absence will be so arranged as not to interfere with the efficient
workings of the Department, and so as not to materially lessen the force at
any one time.
16 July 1877
ANOTHER DEATH IN CAPT. LEICH’s FAMILY
Police Captain Oliver B. LEICH, of the Fourth Precinct, is again afflicted
in the death, at his residence, No. 1548 Fulton street, of his son, Oliver,
aged twelve years. The disease was diphtheria, which on July 3, carried off
the baby of the household, a lovely girl of three years.
A POLICEMAN BECOMES RICH
Some months ago Patrolman STEADMAN, of the First Precinct, went to Ireland
to look up some property that he was informed he had fallen heir to. He has
returned and reports having come into possession of an estate, to manage
which he will go to Ireland to live. He is about to dispose of his house in
South Brooklyn, and will shortly set sail for the 'Ould Dart.; He has
resided thirty years in this country. His property in Ireland is located in
Wicklow County.
19 July 1877
A Detective Sued for $10,000 for Breach of Promise of Marriage
Miss Jane McKEE, aged twenty-three, residing in Willoughby street, a
niece of Police Superintendent CAMPBELL, began an action in the City Court
to-day against Detective Patrick H. CORR, to recover $10,000 for breach of
promise of marriage. The parties have been acquainted with each other for
many years. Mr. CORR is a widower, forty six years of age and has several
children. The complaint sets forth certain acts of defendant, committed on
the 7th of June last, and upon which the suit is principally based. Mr.
CORR, it is alleged, called at Bishop LOUGHLIN's residence to get a
dispensation to marry Miss McKEE without publishing the banns, but failed.
Meanwhile Mr. CORR's children persuaded him not to marry the plaintiff. The
summons and complaint were served on defendant this afternoon. Horace GRAVES
is counsel for the defendant.
AUGUST
1877
9 August 1877
Greenpoint-Police Captain George R. RHODES has gone on a two weeks vacation, which
he will spend in hunting and fishing.
11 August 1877
Sergeant Nicholas BOCK has returned from Passaic, New Jersey, where he has
been spending his vacation.
20 August 1877
Death of a Policeman
Officer John GODKIN, of the Police Mounted Squad, died this morning, at his
residence, No. 450 Bergen street. He was upward of fifty years of age, and
was noted for being one of the tallest and best built men in the department.
During the rebellion, he served on General JOURDAN's staff, and the General
being made President of the Board of Police and Excise, the old soldier was,
on September 30, 1873, appointed janitor of Police Headquarters. On the
Mounted Squad being organized, he on April 26, 1875, threw up the position of
janitor, and took to active duty. He was born in this country, March 17, 1822.
21 August 1877
The Death of Officer Godkin
The funeral of Officer GODKIN, of the Mounted Police Force, who died
yesterday morning, will take place at half past eight o'clock tomorrow
morning, from No. 450 Bergen street, and the remains will be interred at
Springfield, L.I.
23 August 1877
A New Detective
Patrolman John MALOY, of the Thirteenth Precinct, was to-day promoted to the
rank of detective.
The Courts-A Policeman's' Wife too much Married
James Hamilton, roundsman in the Sixth Precinct police force has commenced an
action in the Supreme Court to annul a marriage between him and Mrs. Elmira
F. SMITH, on the ground that the defendant had been previously married, and
her husband was alive at the time she entered into the contract with him, the
plaintiff. Mr. HAMILTON is a widower. His wife had five children. Some time
ago he became acquainted with the defendant who was thirty five years of age,
and represented herself as a widow. She also had several children. HAMILTON
married the so-called widow SMITH in March last. The new families, or at
least a portion of each, were blended together, or at least an attempt was
made to consolidate them, but it was soon discovered that the sentiments,
feelings and general characteristics were such as to forbid the attempt to
make them one happy family. Finally Mrs. SMITH-HAMILTON, one morning about
four weeks ago, packed her wardrobe in a huge Saratoga trunk and went to
parts unknown by the conservator of the peace HAMILTON. The latter
subsequently learned that this supposed second wife was not a wife at all, as
she had a husband named Eugene SMITH who left her seven years ago and is now
residing in New York City. John ROESCHE is counsel for the plaintiff.
24 August 1877
OFFICER HAMILTON'S MATRIMONIAL TROUBLES - CARD FROM MRS. HAMILTON'S COUNSEL
To the Editor of the Union-Argus:
A paragraph appeared in your issue of yesterday reflecting in a most
heartless way upon Mrs. James HAMILTON, asserting that a suit had beeen
commenced by her husband to annul their marriage, upon the ground that her
first husband was living when she married Mr. HAMILTON, that this first
husband abandoned her seven years ago and is now living in New York and that
she recently left Mr HAMILTON "for parts unknown."
As the counsel for Mrs. HAMILTON, I deem it my duty to state that these
assertions are wholly untrue. The appearance of this paragraph was the first
intimation she has had of the commencement of any such suit, and no papers in
this alleged suit have been served upon her. Her first husband, Demund J.
SMITH, was drowned at sea, in September, 1868, from the steamer Golden Age,
while en route for San Francisco, and abundant proof of that fact can be
furnished. She was married to Mr. HAMILTON in March last, they having been
acquaintances since their childhood. She lived with him for about six weeks,
acting a mother's part to his motherless children securing, as few
stepmothers ever do, their love and affection, and was then driven by his
harshness and cruelty to rise from a bed of sickness and leave his house, not
"for parts unknown", but to seek the protection of her father, Mr. James
CLEVELAND, a well-known and highly respected residence of Brooklyn, residing
at No. 28 Kossuth place and there she has ever since lived, at Mr. HAMILTON
well knows. From the motives of delicacy and a desire to avoid notoriety, she
has hitherto refrained from taking any steps against him; but in justice to
herself, she will now endeavor to secure a legal separation from the man who
has treated her so vilely and aspersed her character so injustly. John S.
RAY, Counsel for Mrs. HAMILTON.
SEPTEMBER
1877
4 September 1877
SUPERINTENDENT CAMPBELL BACK AGAIN
Police Superintendent Campbell returned yesterday from Saratoga, where he
passed his short vacation. He says he feels better for the rest, and
certainly looks improved.
7 September 1877
THREE POLICEMEN HEAVILY FINED
The Board of Police and Excise to-day fined
Sergeant BATTERSBY, Thirteenth Precinct, five days' pay for neglecting his desk duty.
Patrolman J.HARRIGAN, Third Precinct, ten days pay for intoxication & conduct
unbecoming an officer in the house of S. M. KIRBY, 1631 Fulton street.
Patrolman P. BYRNE, Eighth Sub-precinct, ten days' pay for being intoxicated
and unlawfully arresting Henry YOST.
13 September 1877
Police Captain Louis WORTH, of the Sixth Precinct, has started on his summer
vacation, to be gone a week, visiting Saratoga, Buffalo and Niagara Falls.
LOX'S VICTIM
Officer Rogers Asks to be Detailed for Light Duty - He is Crippled for Life
Patrolman George H. ROGERS, of the Third Precinct, who had the muscles of
his left arm shot away while endeavoring on the 23d of last April to arrest
the wife beater Anthony LOX in the House of Blazes in Fourth place (Lox was
killed by Officer MURTHA), visited Police Headquarters to-day, in company
with Captain LEAVY, and asked the Commissioners to assign him to messenger
duty, as he is forever incapacitated for active police service. Through the
medical skill of Dr. WHITE his arm has been saved, but it is considerably
drawn up and will probably never be strong. Since he sustained his injuries
he has been receiving full pay, to which, by the way, he was justly
entitled, and his object in asking to be detailed for light duty is to save
himself from being placed on the pension list. His case is to receive the
attention it merits.
15 September 1877
A TERRIBLE RIDE
SERGEANT JOHNSON OF THE MOUNTED SQUAD, MEETS WITH A TERRIBLE MISHAP -
DETAILS OF THE ACCIDENT
A very sad accident befell Sergeant John H. JOHNSON, of the Mounted Police
Squad, at 5:20 P. M. yesterday, while returning from visiting Mounted
Officer WEBB who was recently seriously injured by his house falling on him
while he was endeavoring to stop a runaway horse in Flatbush avenue.
Officer WEBB lives at No. 74 Palmetto street, and the sergeant had just left
the house when the accident to himself occurred Placing the left foot in
the stirrup he attempted to vault on the back of his horse, when the animal,
which is very high-spirited, made a spring forward and catching the bit in
its teeth broke into a run. The result was that JOHNSON, though succeeding
in gaining the saddle, was unable to place his right foot in the stirrup.
Although A SPLENDID HORSEMAN
and very athletic, he was thus placed at a great disadvantage, and on
reaching the end of the street saw his peril, as it was necessary for him to
either compel the animal to turn into Broadway or himself run the risk of
colliding with a blacksmith shop, which stood directly in front of him
across the street. He resolved to make an attempt to turn the horse, and by
a splendid exhibition of skill succeeded in turning the horse's head. Just,
however, as the danger appeared to have passed, the horse slipped and fell.
Its plucky rider was thrown, but unfortunately was
CAUGHT UNDER THE ANIMAL.
Several citizens rushed to the rescue, the horse was gotten up, and the
Sergeant removed to the Ninth Sub Precinct Station house, where Dr.
MATTHEWS, on examination, found JOHNSON's leg broken in two places, between
the knee and ankle, and his face badly lacerated in several places. The
limb was temporarily bandaged, and a coach having been procured, the
unfortunate Sergeant was removed to his residence, corner of Forty-fourth
street and Third avenue, in charge of Officers GAUS and KELLOGG. The limb
was set at his residence by Police Surgeon ROONEY. Sergeant Johnson has a
splendid record and as commanding officer of the Mounted Squad has
disciplined his little command to a high state of efficiency.
NOVEMBER
1877
14 November 1877
A POLICEMAN'S TERRIBLE MISFORTUNE
The Result of a Young Loafer's Rash Act- The Alleged Assailant in Custody-
How the Officer Fared as Assailant in Another Case.
Officer James DREELAND, of the Third Precinct at five o'clock yesterday
afternoon dispersed a number of boys who had built a bonfire at the corner
of Hicks and Pacific streets. He then attempted to stamp out the fire, but
while so doing had his left eye destroyed by a blow from a stone, thrown, it
is believed, by Thomas SHIPLEY, a peddler, aged sixteen, of No 27 Emmett street.
SHIPLEY WAS ARRESTED,
together with four boys named Lawrence CALLEN, Michael DOWE, John CONNELLY,
Sloan & T. JOYCE, who are held as witnesses. The physicians at the Long
Island College Hospital are afraid that the officer will lose the sight of
his right eye also, out of sympathy.
DREELAND is the officer who some months ago was
CHARGED WITH BRUTALLY TREATING
a drunken prisoner named DONOHUE, residing in Hoyt street. One of the
bones of DONOHUE'S left arm was broken. At the trail of the case before
the Board of Police and Excise upon charges preferred by DONOHUE, it was
shown that DONOHUE twice fell, from which it was concluded- and upon a very
fair presumption - that the fracture might not after all be due to DREELAND.
The complaint was there upon dismissed.
26 November 1877
Police Sergeant R.B.G. SMITH, has been transferred from the Ninth to the
Thirteenth Precinct, and Sergeant Jacob E. HEALEY has been transferred
from the Thirteenth, to the Ninth Precinct.
Greenpoint Items
Police Sergeant John W. WORMELL, of the 7th Precinct,has been transferred
to the 13th. Sergeant Alfred L. BATTERSLY of the latter taking his place.
STABBED IN THE EAR A PEACEMAKER DANGEROUSLY WOUNDED IN A LIQUOR SALOON FIGHT.
A stabbing affay occurred at 20minutes of 12 o'clock Saturday night in
Patrick BRESLIN'S liquor saloon, corner of York and Main sts. John HICKMAN,
a shoemaker, of No 57 York st,, it appears, charged a man named CRUSE with
having a year before taken advantage of his being under the influence of
liquor to rob him. CRUSE angrily denied the accusation; finally the 2 men
came to blows. According to the police a third man, Michael FAULKNER, of 87
Talman st., interfered in the interest of order. The interference was,
however angrily received by HICKMAN, who , drawing a knife, stabbed the
peacemaker in the left ear and right cheek and then ran out of the saloon.
CRUSE notified Officer FILLIARD of what had occurred, and the latter after
an hour's search scceeded in arresting the assailant. Dr. GILFILLAN dressed
FAULKNER'S wound, He regarded the wound in the ear as serious.
DECEMBER
1877
12 December 1877
POLICMAN TRIED
THE BOYLAN CASE INVESTIGATED BY THE COMMISSIONERS-SEVERAL OFFICERS
FINED AND ONE REPRIMANDED.
At the police trials before the Board of Police and Excise today
Officer James J. BOYLAN was arraigned on a charge of having clubbed a prisoner,
Thomas FEENEY. The complaint was made by Capt. SMITH by direction of the
Superintendent. The chief witness for the prosecution was Court Officer BURNS,
who claims to have had FEENEY in custody when BOYLAN struck the latter three
times. FEENEY, on taking the stand, pleaded ignorance of what had occurred.
BOYLAN swore in direct contradiction of BURNS, and produced a witness whose
testimony involved the case still more in perplexity. The result was that the
Commissioners reserved their decision.
The following officers were fined one day's pay each:
Patrolman Michael J. HAGGERTY, Fourth Precinct, for being off post;
Patrolman Edward S. HOLMES, Seventh Precinct, for being off post;
Patrolman Charles H. BABCOCK, Ninth Precinct, for being absent from drill without leave.
Patrolman Martin F. GARVEY, Ninth Precinct was reprimanded for unnecessary
absence from reserve duty.
20 December 1877
POLICEMEN FINED;
A number of policemen were fined yesterday for various offences by the
Board of Police and Excise. The heaviest penalties were as follows;
RILEY, Patrolman Edgar C. RILEY, three days' pay for being found at 3:55 A.M.
December 15 sitting smoking in the hallway of No. 163 Atlantic avenue.
CORCORAN, Patrolman John C. CORCORAN, Fifth Precinct, three days' pay for leaving
station house when a leave of absence had been refused him.
BOYLE, Patrolman George BOYLE, Third Precinct, two days' pay for unnecessarily
and "with cruel violence" arresting John SADLER, Jr., aged sixteen, on a
charge of being drunk and disorderly. (the boy was acquitted by Justice WALSH.)
MALMBERG, Patrolman Chas. MALMBERG, Fourth Precinct, two days' pay for being found off
post and in the rear of a liquor store, at 6:12 A.M., on the 8th inst.
DANCED HERSELF ILL:
Mary GALLAGHER, aged twenty-two, of 1551 Bergen street, was taken very ill
last night at a ball at Gailatin Hall, was conveyed in an ambulance to the
Long Island College Hospital.
29 December 1877
Greenpoint-Officer POOLE, of the Seventh Precinct, yesterday while riding from
Greenpoint avenue to Meserole avenue on a crosstown car, lost his shield, No. 213.
JANUARY
1878
3 January 1878
Police Sergeant FIELDING has been transferred from the Fifth to the
Sixth Precinct.
TWO BLUE-COATS FINED
A number of policemen were tried by the Commissioners yesterday, on
various charges. Several were fined, the heaviest penalties being as
follows:
Patrolman Henry A. LENNON, Fourth Precinct, three days' pay, for
being off post from 1:320 to 4:15 A.M.,
Patrolman Owen McCAFFREY,Thirteenth Precinct, two days' pay, for failing
to watch for an alleged burglar, as ordered.
DEATH OF A POLICEMAN
Mounted Policeman John THOMPSON died in the City Hospital at 12:30 A.M.
of injuries sustained by being thrown in attempting to stop the runaway
horse of Captain C.C. DUNCAN, in Bedford avenue, two weeks ago. Deceased
was thirty-seven years of age. He was of Scotch parantage. He was formerly
a ship caulker, and was appointed in the Eighth Precinct, May 10, 1869.
Four months ago he was made a member of the Mounted Squad. He leaves a
widow and five children. He was a faithful officer.
9 January 1878
Sergeat John REARDON has been transferred from the Fifth to the Sixth
Princinct, and Sergeant James FIELDING has been transferred to the Fifth Precinct.
10 January 1878
POLICE TRIALS
TWO DETECTIVES EXONERATED--AN OFFICER DISMISSED FOR DRUNKENNESS--HEAVY AND
LIGHT FINES, ETC.
Decisions were rendered to-day by the Board of Police and Excise, in the
police cases tried yesterday, viz:
Rowland DE BOUTE vs. Dectectives ROACH and MAHONEY, charge,
supressing evidence, dismissed with the statement; "?? decide that the
officers are innocent of the charge."
Patrolman Hugh GEARY, Thirteenth Precinct, dismissded from the force for
drunkenness.
Patrolman Simon LARKINS, Second Precinct, fined ten days' pay for being
three house and five minutes off post.
Patrolman P.J. KEHOE, fined ten days' pay for intoxication.
Fined two days' pay each:
Patrolmen S.W. CHICHESTER, Twelfth;
Michael HAGGERTY, Tenth;
John WILKINS, Ninth.
Fined on day's pay each:
Patrolman Michael TRAVERS, Third;
Bernard REILLEY, Third;
John WILKINGS, Ninth;
Michael BOYLE, Twelfth;
Doorman Patrick WHALEN, Eighth.
17 January 1878
POLICE HEADQUARTERS.
-Joe LEGGETT Expected Back - Detective VAN WAGNER Dangerously Sick.
-There are good grounds for countenancing a rumor that Joseph LEGGETT, the
absconding Excise Clerk, is expected to return home at once.
-Sergeant Detective Harry VAN WAGNER’s condition is very critical. He is at
his home, corner of Lincoln Place and Fifth Avenue. Dr. KISSAM sent word to
Police Headquarters that the patient was dangerously ill. The disease is
inflammation of the bowels.
-The police authorities of this city and New York are negotiating relative to
the connecting of the two cities by telegraph. President JORDAN today wrote
to President SMITH of the New York Board, on the subject.
-A number of temperance advocates waited on the Board today, relative to the
investigations to be made tomorrow relative to the memorial of the Society
for the Prevention of Vice and Intemperance.
-Twenty-five licenses were given out today, an unusually large number.
26 January 1878
A POLICEMAN WHO DESERVE PROMOTION.
At ten o'clock last night, Officer RYAN, of the First Precinct,
discovered that some goods in the show window of J. ROTTENBURG's dry goods
store, No. 209 Fulton street, were on fire. With great presence of mind, he
kick in the glass in the door, and, unaided, succeeded in tearing ou the
blazing fabrics. Fortunately, his hands were encased in heavy gloves, or
else he must have been terribly burned. As it was, $800 damage was done to
the stock, which is insured for $5,000 in the Williamsburgh Insurance Company.
28 January 1878
NEW POLICEMEN
About ten men have been appointed to the police force since the new
Commissioners took office last November. Although no vacancies at present
exist, the Commissioners have selected from a large number of applicants for
patrol duty such persons as they would feel warranted in appointing if
vacancies were to occur. Hence during the past two weeks about forty men
have been examined by the Board of Surgeons, of which Dr. Alexander J.
ROONEY is President and Dr. James T. BURDICK, Secretary. Of the entire
number, however, less than half have been found physically competent for
police duty.
3 February 1878
A '"COP" IN HIS CUPS.
Sunday Dlyersion for Frolicsome Youngsters.
Many persons were treated to an unusual spectacle, yesterday morning, about
11 o'clock, in the antics of a drunken policeman. He first attracted
attention in Red Hook lane, near Fulton st, whence he staggered to the
corner of Fulton and Smith sts, where his maneuvers around a MOZART GARDEN
bill board provoked the merririment of a crowd of boys. Finally Sergeant
BALLOW, of the First Precinct, "spotted" him and towed him off. As no such
case figures among the "arrests" on the First Precinct return to
Headquarters to-day, it is presumed that the offending officer escaped the
penalty of incarceration in a cell that would have been the lot of any
"ordinary" citizen under similar circumstances. There is no doubt, however,
that Captain CAMPBELL has preferred charges against him. His name is given
as Michael MCLOUGHLIN, patrolman in the First Precinct.
14 February 1878
Some Well Deserved Fines - The Hamilton Ferry Suicide.
The Board of Police and Excise disposed today of the usual batch of
policemen charged with violating rules.
They fined -
Patrolman Edward HOLMES, of the Fifth Precinct, five days’ pay for being
intoxicated in the street in uniform at 9am.
Patrolman Edward HENNESSEY, Fifth Precinct, five days’ pay for leaving
the station house after permission to do so had been refused.
Bridge Keepers William ROACH & John FITZGERALD two days each for
failing to clean the snow off the Hamilton avenue bridge.
In the case of Sergeant WALSH & Patrolman John MALONEY of the Third Precinct,
charged with failing to report the suicide of the 4th inst, on the Hamilton
Ferry, the Board decided that the excuse of the officers that they could
not authenticate the information given them to be good.
20 February 1878
POLICEMEN PUNISHED
Among a number of fines imposed by the Board of Police and Excise yesterday
for the failure to comply with the rules were the following:
Patrolman E. HOLMES, Seventh Precinct, ten days' pay and "warned" for being
off post in a liquor saloon, and disobedience of orders.
Sergeant Joseph CARRAUGHER, First Precinct, three days' pay and enjoined to
exercise more care, in the future, for discharging a prisoner arrested for
passing a counterfeit 25 cent piece.
7 March 1878
Policemen Punished
The board of Police tried a number of Policemen today on various charges.
They directed
Officer Peter BARRY,to :discharge a debt of $ 5:50 to B.RILEY,for a stove.
They fined
Detective J.LENEHAU, two days pay,for refusing to count the clothes-pins
in a bag found by him.
Patrolman John GIBSON,three days pay for being off his post.
Patrolman Charles.H.McCUE two days pay for being off his post.
28 March 1878
Transferring Policemen
There is an excitement in the Police department over an almost
general transfer of Sergeant and Patrolmen that has taken place.
Out of sixty-one sergeants and acting sergeants forty-two have
been sent from the stations where they had been doing duty to
other station,and the probabilities are that the remaining nineteen
will also be transferred,almost exclustively for the purpose of
placing them near their homes, in order that they may get their
meals within an hour and find more time to attend to police duty.
The following are the names of the Sergeants ransferred.
JOHN CARR, Fourth to Ninth precinct
HENRY C.BADEW, Ninth to Fourth precinct.
WILLIAM MEEKES, Second to Twelfth precinct.
NICHOLAS MASTERSON, Twelfth to Second precinct.
NICHOLAS McNAMORA, Tenth to Ninth precinct.
JAMES W.LAMB, Eight to Tenth precinct.
STEPHEN MARTIN, First to Fourth precinct.
CHARLES STRONG, Fourth to Tenth precinct.
EDWIN DYER, Tenth to First precinct.
JOHN HAMILTON, Ninth Sub, to Twelfth precinct.
GEORGE BUCKHOLZ, Twelfth tto Ninth Sub precinct.
JOHN W.EASON, First to Second precinct.
WILLIAM M.STRONG, Second to First precinct.
JOHN GRAHAM, Eight to Eighth Sub precinc.
WILLIAM H.BROWNS, Eight Sub to Eighth precinct.
GEE W.BUNCE, Fifth to Seventh precinct.
JAMES J.FIELDING, Fifth to Seventh precinct.
ALFRED L.BATTERSBY, Seventh to Fifth precinct.
JAMES G.DeBEVOISE, Seventh to fifth precinct.
JAMES WARD, Sixth to Thirteenth precinct.
JOHN W. WERMELL, Thirteen to Sixth precinct.
LEONARD W.ELLIOTT, Sixth to Seventh precinct.
ROBERT W.REED, Seventh to Sixth precinct.
JAMES KINNEY, Eleventh to Third precinct.
WILLIAM J.CADDEN, Third to Eleventh precinct.
THOMAS WALSH, Third to First precinct.
JOHN CAIN, First to Third precinct.
WILLIAM P.KELLY, Fourth to Ninth precinct.
M.T.HELBROOK, Ninth to Fourth precinct.
JOHN MORRELL, Eight Sub to Eighth precinct.
DENNIS DRISCOLL, Eight to Eight Sub precinct.
JOHN BRENNAN, Fifth to Sixth precinct.
ASA TITUS, Sixth to Fifth precinct.
Policeman Shot
Three young men, Charles MORRIS,
William J.HIGGINS, John McGUIRE, residing in the Wallabout district,
were on their way home through Marcy avenue,at two o'clock
this morning,when it occurred to one of them,Charles MORRIS
aged twenty-five,of 39 Noostrand avenue, that it was an opportune
time to discharge a small pistol thatt had been longer loaded than
was desirable. He accordingly pulled the trigger,in ignorance of
the fact that behind the pile of boxes, at which he aimed, was
Officer WALTER DUGGAN,oof the Fourth Precinct. The result was
that the officer received a bullet in the breast that inflicted
a severe though not apparently dangerous wound. The accident
happening on Walton street, and near the Thirteenth Precinct
Station House.Duggan went there and had his wound dressed by
Police Surgeon LOEWENSTEIN. Officer KLEIND arrested MORRIS.
20 April 1878
VERDICT AGAINST THE SHERIFF
In the City Court yesterday, N.C. BARTLETT, a flour merchant, of 14 Front
street, New York, recovered a judgment for $664, against Sheriff DAGGETT, for
an alleged illegal levy and execution upon a bakery located at No. 669
Bedford avenue. BARTLETT set up that he purchased the bakery from Lyman F.
PETTE. The Sheriff seized the property on a judgment for $314, obtained by
Louis GREENBAUM, against PETTE. The case was tried once before when the jury
rendered a verdict for plaintiff for $1,114. Judge MCCUE, set the judgment
aside on the ground that it was excessive.
29 April 1878
FUNERAL OF A POLICE SERGEANT
The remains of the late commanding Sargeant of the Eight Sub-precinct, John
MAHER, were interred in Calvary Cemetery yesterday afternoon. A service at
St. John's R.C. Church preceded the burial. Rev. John MCGUIRE, assisted by
other clergymen, celebrated a requiem mass.
Among those present were
County Clerk John DELMAR,
Alderman MCINTYRE,
Mr. JENKINS, clerk to the Superintendent of Police,
Captain John MACKELLAR, who was in command of a detachment of police,
Sargeant DRISCOLL.
30 April 1878
A NEW POLICE POST:
The Police Commissioners have created a new post-Joralemon street, from Court
street to Boerum place- and have assigned two members of the Central Squad to
it; HARDY, formerly in Justice MOORE's Court, and BROPHY, formerly in the
Sanitary Department. HARDY is one of the stalwart men of the force, and
BROPHY is the tallest policeman in the city, hence their selection for this showy post.
2 MAY 1878
DISCIPLINING THE POLICE.
The First Trial at the New Headquarters Important Cases.
The first police court in the Municipal Building was held today, General
JOURDAN presiding.
Mrs. Lizzie FRANZ preferred a charge of conduct unbecoming an officer
against Patrolman John GIBSON, Seventh Precinct, in that "said GIBSON has
on several occasions come into my candy store, No. 8 Broome Street,
Greenpoint, and helped himself to articles without leave from me, and on
one occasion, sometime during the latter part of March, 1878, addressed me
insulting and obscene remarks." The Commissioners adjourned the case to
Saturday morning at nine o'clock, GIBSON pleading not guilty.
Patrolman James KILLIAN, Fourth Precinct, was charged with being absent
from roll call at 6:30 AM, and returning from post until 8:40 AM. He was
fined ten days' pay and ordered to go to "school."
Patrolman John H. GELHARDT, Fourth Precinct, was charged with leaving his
post and being found asleep on a settee in the hallway of Justice RILEY's
court room at 9:45 AM. He, too, was fined ten days' pay and ordered to "school."
Patrolman Wm. F. GILMORE, Fourth Precinct, was charged with leaving his
post and going into a stable in St. James' Place, near Greene Avenue, at
1:20 PM. He was fined three days' pay and ordered to "school."
Patrolman Michael CONNELLY, Eighth Sub-Precinct, was charged with being
under the influence of liquor on Third Avenue at 7:20 AM. 3d instant, in
uniform. He was fined three days' pay.
Patrolman Thomas MURPHY, Tenth Precinct, was charged with not being on his
relieving post. He was fined one day's pay.
Patrolman George M. DAILEY, Twelfth Precinct, was charged with leaving his
post without being properly relieved. He was fined one day's pay and
ordered to "school."
Complaints against Sergeant METCALF, Tenth Precinct, and Patrolman Theadore
MORRILL, Ninth Precinct, were dismissed.
BROOKLYN DETECTIVES
Where Reform in the System is Needed A Better Selection of Men Demanded.
Shortly after the present Board of Police and Excise took office their
attention was directed to the detective force with a view to rendering it
more effective. At Headquarters was the regular squad, consisting of nine
men and a sergeant, and at every precinct was one man (in case of the First
Precinct, two) doing detective duty. The first step taken was to order the
Central Office men to do a certain amount of patrol duty in sections of the
city selected by the Superintendent. Within a few days another step was
taken to transferring the commanding sergeant to sergeant's duty in the
Third Precinct. At present the squad reports to the Superintendent in the
absence of a head not yet selected, but who should be the senior detective.
Whether the Commissioners will rest here is not known, but they might with
valuable results, so far as serving the community is concerned, inquire
into the qualifications of some of the men now doing detective duty at
Headquarters and at precincts. A number of the detectives are unexcelled in
any city for ability and experience, but unfortunately, some have few
qualities that recommend them for the delicate service they are expected to
perform. The result is that the burden of the work falls on the shoulders
of the few, while the rest keep up a good deal of unproductive thinking and
perambulating. Last year all the arrests by the Headquarters Squad for
burglary, homicides, receiving stolen good, etc. (excepting petty
offences), only footed up 16. This is a very poor showing for the squad,
although under the system heretofore in existence, they had no chance to
accomplish much. What arrests were made, however, were of the most
important character, but were made by the few. The precinct detectives make
an infinitely better showing, but simply because, in many instances, the
opportunities to do so are thrown in their way. A little shaking up would
do no harm. And if some of the so-called detectives were shaken back to
post duty, the service would gain patrolmen without losing any more detectives.
4 May 1878
Contests Wills.
Surrogate DAILEY yesterday decided in favor of sustaining the letters of
administration granted to Elizabeth WILKINSON, the third wife of Michael
WILKINSON, a policeman, who left property worth $5,000 to his wife. The
matter was contested by WILKINSON's children by his second wife, who set up
in their complaint that Mrs. Elizabeth WILKINSON was not the wife of their
father. This matter was put at rest today when that lady produced her
marriage certificate and also the judgment roll granting a divorce to
WILKINSON from his second wife, who is still living.
NEW MOUNT THROWS POLICEMAN NOONAN
When John NOONAN, a mounted policeman attached to the Prospect Park
station, was taking a new mount from the training farm at Wakefield
yesterday afternoon it became frightened on the Central bridge and
threw him. NOONAN suffered a fracture of the left ankle and contusions
of the body and was sent to the Washington Heights Hospital.
6 May 1878
HEFFERNAN'S CRIME.-POLICE CAPTAIN SMITH SHOT BY ONE OF HIS OFFICERS.
What Intemperance Led a Policeman to Do Interview with the Prisoner He is
Held for the Grand Jury.
Patrolman Morris H. HEFFERNAN, aged thirty-seven, of the First Precinct,
yesterday afternoon attempted to murder his Captain, Joe SMITH, the oldest
captain in the city , by shooting him. Dissipation and the preferment
against him of charges for the same by his captain, were the inciting
circumstances that led to the commission of the crime. These circumstances
are told further on in the language of the prisoner.
Captain SMITH was standing in the Washington Street station-house at 1:20
PM reading a letter. He was inside the railing between the street window
and the sergeant's desk, with one arm resting on the telegraph box.
Sergeant WALSH was in command of the desk, and had just rung for the
platoon returned from patrol duty to assemble for muster, and the men were
falling into line before him. About the last man to descend the stairs from
the dormitory was HEFFERNAN. In his right hand he held a pistol, but the
fact excited no comment, as men often have to hurry to get down in time,
and frequently are compelled to adjust their equipments while descending
the stairs. But instead of falling into line HEFFERNAN advanced to the
railing, and addressing the Captain said: "This is a nice job you have put
up on me, you old _____." The Captain turned. He saw the pistol, and
essayed to escape. He dodged low just as the weapon was discharged, and the
bullet struck him in the neck. As he sought to find shelter behind the
desk, he tripped on a rug and fell. The second bullet whistled over him and
struck the door of a closet on the other side of the room. At that instant
Officers REILLY, QUINN, and WHITE, who had simultaneously jumped for the
assassin, seized and disarmed him. He at once surrendered.
Captain SMITH was carried into his room and laid on a lounge. He evidently
thought he was dying, for he exclaimed: "I'm done for; God help my wife and
little child." Ambulance Surgeon MORDOUGH, Drs. HUNT and SHERVETT, and
Police Surgeons ROONEY, MALONE, and HOPKINS were soon on hand. They found
that the ball had struck the neck just below the left ear, and passed out
some inches below, without apparently affecting any vital parts. Police
Commissioner Rodney C. WARD, Superintendent CAMPBELL, and Inspector WADDY
were also soon on the spot, and did all in their power to make the wounded
veteran comfortable. A carriage was then procured, and the Captain was
removed to his residence, No. 37 Tillary Street. He slept quite well during
the night, and is believed to be out of danger. The affair created great
excitement; and inquiries respecting his condition have been numerous from
all quarters.
HEFFERNAN was arraigned before Justice WALSH this morning upon complaint of
Sergeant WALSH. He appeared very nervous, in fact as though he had just
recovered from a long debauch. The complaint being read to him, he had
nothing to say. The Justice said to him: "I will enter a plea of not
guilty, then. When will you be ready for examination?" "Well," said the
prisoner, "I will withdraw my plea of not guilty and plead guilty." The
Justice cautioned him, but he persisted in so having it, but when he came
to sign his voluntary examination was so nervous that he had to ask the
Justice to sign for him. He was held for the Grand Jury.
A UNION-ARGUS reporter had an interview with the prisoner, in the court
room cells. HEFFERNAN has been on the force since September 2, 1870, and
was formerly a clerk in the office of the Herald. His statement was as
follows, given in a rambling way.
"Captain SMITH has acted very queerly with me compared with the way he has
treated some other men. He never had a better man than I when I was
straight. I am one of those men who drink not more than once in three or
four weeks, maybe not more than once in three months, and then I'm off. It
was this bloody bock beer that spoilt me. I'm sorry for my poor family. My
old mother is outside there, and I am afraid that it will kill her. The
Captain has made a good many charges against me for intoxication. The other
day I reported sick to Dr. HOPKINS; he called on me twice but found me out;
the second time I went to see him and he ordered me on duty at six AM
Friday last. I obeyed; after 12 o'clock Saturday night I got copies of
charges made against me by the Captain; I should have gotten them a day
earlier so as to give a man a chance to see his friends. There were three
specifications, one for reporting sick and being drunk; I had not been
drunk; I expected this would break me, which would leave me without a home
for my wife and five little children; I did the shooting under the impulse
of the moment; we are not allowed to carry pistols on duty in the day time,
and I borrowed this pistol from another man's closet. I meant to bring it
back at six o'clock, when I returned from home. I had not time to put it
into my pocket when the sergeant's bell rang. I had no intention of using
the weapon when I spoke to him, but the sight of him excited me. I did it
before I thought. You never heard a man balloo as he did about his wife and
child; but he never thought anything about mine, and mine likely to be
turned out into the street."
(7 May 1878)
THE WOUNDED POLICE CAPTAIN.
Conditions of Captain Joel SMITH Significance of the Shooting.
Captain Joel SMITH, of the First Precinct, who was shot on Sunday in the
station house by a dissipated member of his command named Morris H.
HEFFERNAN, passed a comparatively comfortable night last night at his
residence, No. 37 Tillary Street. He rested well, and suffered little from
the wound in his neck. Though fifty-nine years of age, he has a strong
constitution, and the only thing his physicians apprehend is that
inflammation or erysipelas may set in. Of course the shock to his nervous
system was not small, and therefore there is the utmost necessity of his
being kept quiet and free from exciting causes. His wife and one of his
sons, Officer Joseph SMITH, are the only persons admitted to his bedside.
Throughout the Police Department bought but expressions of strong sympathy
for him are heard, while frequent inquiries respecting his condition are
made both at the station-house and residence by many prominent men. Few men
in the city are better known than the captain. For years he has been in
command of a precinct that is the center of political activity, while many
noted criminal cases and the destruction of the Brooklyn Treatre, adjoining
his station-house, have caused his name to be in everybody's mouth from time to time.
Many persons visit the station-house to see the spots where the two bullets
struck. The one that passed through his neck lodged in the wainscoting
behind the sergeant's desk, and has been extracted to the destruction of a
couple of boards. The other, which narrowly missed hitting him, and
Sergeant WALSH as well, buried itself in the door of a closet at the
opposite end of the room.
Great indignation is expressed that such a man as HEFFERNAN should have
been allowed to remain on the force. His appointment dates back nearly
eight years. He is a Democrat, and there is a story that he obtained his
place through the highest Ring influence. Captain SMITH, on the other hand,
is a Republican, and HEFFERNAN may have imbibed his hatred of him by
knowing the annoyance which the Ring felt at his retention on the force
when a captaincy was sought for a Democrat.
A UNION-ARGUS reporter inspected HEFFERNAN's record at Police Headquarters.
In six years he has had twenty charges preferred against him. He was three
times fined ten days' pay, and three times five days' pay, while there were
records of a number of fines of one days' pay each.
(17 June 1878)
HEFFERNAN'S CRIME
TRIAL OF THE POLICEMAN WHO SHOT CAPTAIN JOEL SMITH
THE CASE DISPOSED OF IN SHORT ORDER--A VERDICT OF GUILTY--THE PRISONER
REMANDED FOR SENTENTENCE.
The trial of Policeman MAURICE HEFFERNAN for shooting Captain JOEL
H. SMITH, of the 1st. Precinct, may 5 last, was opened in the Court of
Sessions today before the court and a jury. District-Attorney CATLIN
appearing for the proecution and ex JudgeCORNELL for the prisoner. The
indictment found against HEFFERNAN was for assault with intent to kill, and
the story of the deed was retold by captain SMITH substantially as follows:
On Tuesday, April 30, I paid HEFFERNAN his money due for the
month; he went away and no more was seen of him till the next Friday morning,
when he reported for duty. On the Saturday evening following , when the
section to which he belonged was ready to march out on duty, HEFFERNAN was
standing in the line, and he gave me a pitiful look. He had been reported as
intoxicated, and charges had been rsreved on him for neglect of duty. I did
not see him again till next day-Sunday-when I was standing in the station
house and HEFFERNAN and others came in from post, and went upstairs; that was
about 20 minutes past one. When the bell rang for them to go to
dinnerHEFFERNAN, came down with the rest and walked directly up to the rail,
behind which I was standing, and wxclaimed"That's a fine job you put up on
me," drew his revolver and fired at me. The ball struck me in the back of the
neck at the base of the skull, and came out near the top of the back bone,
and lodged in the wood work on the wall. Officer JAMES WHITE sprang forward
and struck up HEFFERNAN'S arm just as he fired again, and the ball did not
strke me. He was then disarmed and conveyed to a cell in the rear. I
staggered but was prevented from falling by an officer present, was helped
into my room, and removed to my house, but was able to return to duty in
about 3 weeks.
Sergeant THOMAS WALSH and officers WHITE and RILEY corroborated
the above, and the prisoner, HEFFERNAN, was called to the stand. he was pale
but collected looking, and seemed interested in the proceedings. His
testimony was simply to the effect that he was drunk from the day he was paid
all the week, and did not remember anything that occurred until the
following Monday.
The case was given to the jury about 2 o'clock.
The jury, after a brief absence, found aa verdict of guilty
against HEFFERNAN, who was remanded by the Judge for sentence on Wednesday next.
(22 June 1878)
POLICEMAN HEFFERNAN SENTENCED FOR 7 YEARS.
MAURICE H. HEFFERNAN, the policeman who was convicted several days ago in the
Court of Sessions of an assault with intent to kill made on his Captain JOEL
SMITH, of the First Precinct, was sentenced yesterday evening, by Judge
MOORE, to 7 years imprisonment in the Kings County Penitentiary. In
pronounceing sentence Judge MOORE said that the offence was a serious one,
and all the so because committed by a man appointed for the prevention of
just such things. The prisoner was intention a murderer, but he would deal
leniantly with him this time, and not impose the full penalty of the law,
which was 10 years.
10 May 1878
Police Sergeants Transferred.
The following transfers of police sergeants were ordered yesterday
afternoon by the Commissioners:
REARDON, Sixth to Seventh Precinct;
BOCH, Seventh to Sixth;
KELLETT, Third to Eleventh;
SLATTERY, Eleventh to Third;
GREGORY, Tenth to Twelfth;
CAMPBELL, Twelfth to Tenth;
WILLMARTH, Ninth Sub to Ninth;
LATTY, Ninth to Ninth Sub;
BARWICK, Thirteenth to Fifth;
HALLETT, Fifth to Thirteenth;
LEAVY, Thirteenth to Ninth;
HEALY, Ninth to Thirteenth;
CARPENTER, Fourth to Second;
COROUGHER, Second to Fourth;
LOYD, Eighth to Tenth;
METCALF, Tenth to Eighth.
11 May 1878
The Assailant of Captain Joel SMITH.
Ex-policeman Morris H. HEFFERNAN was arraigned in the Court of Sessions
today to plead to an indictment against him for assault and battery, with
intent to kill, Captain Joel SMITH, of the First Precinct police. He
pleaded not guilty. Judge MORRE fixed the trial of the accused for the 23d inst.
16 May 1878
POLICEMEN ON TRIAL.
Remarkable Charges and Counter-Charges Stories about Late Revels that were
Not Proven A Faithful Officer Fined.
Some rather interesting cases came up before the Board of Police and Excise
at the police trials yesterday. The decisions were not rendered until
today. Among them were charges growing out of a disagreement between
Sergeant Nicholas BOCH, on the one side, and Sergeants FIELDING and BUNCE
on the other. All three are among the oldest and best men on the force.
BOCH, it seems, went to Captain RHODES, of the Seventh Precinct, last
Friday night, having just received notification that he had been
transferred to the Sixth Precinct, and told him that FIELDING, who had the
desk, was intoxicated. The Captain made BOCH return with him to the
station-house, and made an investigation. In accordance with rules he
compelled BOCH to make a charge through him to the Commissioners, which was
done in the following terms being directed against FIELDING and BUNCE:
Sergeant FIELDING entered the bedroom in which I was asleep and woke me up
between ten and eleven o'clock on the night of the 10th instant and threw
himself on the bed with his clothes and boots on. Shortly after, Sergeant
BUNCE entered the room and pulled Sergeant FIELDING out of bed, both
falling on the floor. Sergeant BUNCE asked FIELDING to come out and take a
drink. After skylarking for some time, depriving me of rest and sleep, some
one locked the door from the outside. After pulling and kicking at the
door, the lock got out of order and could not be unlocked with the key. The
door was then forced open with a jimmy from the outside, bending the nosing
and staple in the lock and tearing the door moulding. At 11:45 Doorman
TINKEY called Sergeant FIELDING to get up, without success. I then tried to
awake him, when he gruffly said, "Go to _____, I said "Get up; it is twelve
o'clock." He answered, "I don't care a ______." He failed to be at the desk
to answer the roll call signal from Central Office, and failed to call his
roll to send his platoon on patrol duty at twelve midnight, 10th instant.
He also threatened in a loud voice, standing at the door of the
station-house, that he would make me the sickest man he ever saw, if he got
a chance at me. The charge was technically signed by Captain RHODES, and
bore the names of Sergeant Nicholas BOCH, Sergeant L. W. Elliott, Captain
RHODES, Justice Charles B. ELLIOTT, and Doormen TINKEY and BRENNAN as witnesses.
Sergeant FIELDING, through the Captain, then preferred two charges against BOCH.
"That said Sergeant falsely stated to Captain RHODES that I, Sergeant
FIELDING, was intoxicated at 12 PM on the night of the 11th instant
(witnesses, Captain RHODES, Sergeants ELLIOTT and BUNCE, Doorman TINKEY and
Sergeant BUNCE.)
That said Sergeant failed to report at station-house at the termination of
his tour of patrol duty from 12 to 6 AM on the 11th instant, also that said
Sergeant secretly came into the station-house by climbing over yard fence
at 2:30 AM same date (Sergeant FIELDING, witness). The decisions were
rendered today. The first complaint, against FIELDING and BUNCE, was
dismissed. On the second, FIELDING against BOCK (spelling as appears in
newspaper), the sentence was a fine five days' pay for cowardice and five
days' pay for failing to report at station-house as per squad orders. The
third complaint, against BOCH, was dismissed.
Sergeant William STRONG, of the First Precinct, was fined one day's pay for
allowing two prisoners to escape from him about 8:30 AM May 11. The facts,
as reported, apparently did not warrant the imposition of a penalty. The
case was written up in Saturday's Union Argus. STRONG was off duty and was
going home when he saw them steal a shirt from the front of a store, and
then, after a chase , collared two of them. Quick as a flash they wriggled
out of their coats and escaped. Subsequently the police of the Second
Precinct arrested them for another crime. By 10 o'clock AM both had been
sentenced by Justice WALSH.
30 May 1878
Dismissed from the Force.
Officer Francis MAY, of the Twelfth Precinct, was dismissed from the force
today for buying in a liquor store in uniform, and for assisting a citizen
to help two women over a fence.
1 June 1878
TRANSFER OF POLICE SERGEANTS
The following Police Sergeants were transfered today;
JAMES WARD, from the 13th. to the 16th. Precinct,
JAMES HALLETT, 13th. to 5th. Precinct,
ASA TITUS, 5th to 13th.,
JAMES LEAVY, 9th to 13th,
JOHN BRENNAN, 6th to 13th,
JACOB E. HEALEY, 13th. to 9th.
19 June 1878
A POLICEMAN DISCHARGED
The Police Commissioners today dismissed from the force Officer
THOMAS HART, of the 9th. Sub-Precinct, for playing cards in a saloon,
and while under the influence of liquor committing an assault on a citizen
named JAMES SMITH.
22 June 1878
EASTERN DISTRICT
A MYSTERIOUS SHOOTING CASE--AN OFFICER OF THE SEVENTH PRECINCT WOUNDED.
A mysterious shooting case, in which Officer EDWARD HENNESSY , of the
7th. precinct, was wounded, occurred last night in Greenpoint. The officer
stated that while he was patroling on Greenpoint ave., below Oakland st., at
about half past ten last night, a man who was about 150 yards behind him drew
a pistol and shot at him, the ball taking affect in his left lower hip. On
the officer's appearance at he station-house Dr. JENKINS was summoned and
extracted the ball, which had inflicted but a flesh wound taking a downwoard
course. The also stated that he chased the man through Greenpoint ave., and
that he ran over the Blissville Bridge. The above story, however is not the
only one told by Officer HENNESSY. and as differ so materially it is supposed
that he has an object in keeping quiet the true version of the affair.
Police Surgeon LOWENSTEIN on examination this morning decided that the
officer was fit for duty, but after doing duty for a short time HENNESSY
reported sick and went home.
24 June 1878
Officer's EDWARD HENNESSY'S story about his alleged attempted assassination
has been intirely disproved. Captain RHODES having found a man who was with
HENNESSY at the time, and who states that the shooting was the result of the
discharge of the officer's own pistol.
JANUARY
1879
2 January 1879
The Police Commissioners retired to-day the following patrolman:
Louis KARCHER, appointed 1861, aged 46y, Sixth Precinct on $400 pay;
James RYAN, appointed 1876, aged 33y, Thirteenth Precinct,on $380 pay;
Thomas IRWIN, appointed 1862, aged 55y, Third Precinct, on $400.
No successors will be appointed.
13 January 1879
The Police and Excise Commission to-day fined Patrolman KELCHER, of the
Eleventh Precinct, ten days' pay for being under the influence of
liquor, five days' for violation of rules and five days' for leaving his
post.
14 February 1879
BAD POLICEMEN.
The Evil of Intoxication very Prevalent-Fires and Warnings-
What it Costs a Policeman to Get Drunk
the Board of Police and Excise today rendered decisions in a number of cases
involving charges against officers.
Patrolman Peter MCCORMICK, of the 8th Sub-Precinct, was fined 25 days' pay
for absence and disorderly conduct, with a warning that a repetition of such
acts would result in his dismissal. He was absent from duty 8 and 3/4 days.
for which his pay has also stopped. He was ordered transferred to the 1st
Precinct.
Patrolman Michael MCLAUGHLIN, of the 1st Precinct, who made a drunken
exhibition of himself a few Sundays ago, was find 10 days pay, with a
warning that a repetition would result in dismissal. He was ordered
transferred to the 8th Sub.
Patrolman CONWAY was fined 10 days pay for being under the influence of
liquor. He also was warned that a repetition of the offence would result in
his dismissal.
Patrolman Michael KEENAN , of the 11th Precinct, was fined 10 days' pay for
intoxication, with a warning that a repetition of the offence would cause
his dismissal.
Patrolman Chas. MABLENBERG,of the 1st Precinct,was fined 5 days' pay for
being off post in company with a woman.
Patrolman Chas, BABCOCK, 9th Precinct was fined 15 days' pay, 10 of which
were for intoxication, He too, received a warning.
Patrolman James MU?LEN, of the 9th Sub was fined 3 days' pay for being off post.
8 July 1879
Vacation for the Police
The following order was to-day issued to the Police:
Office of the Superintendent of Police
Brooklyn, July 8, 1879
General Order No. 161-The following re???tions were this day adopted at a
meeting held by the Board of Police and Excise, which are promulgated for
the information of the police force:
Resolved, That a summer vacation be and the same is hereby allowed to all
the members of the same is hereby allowed to all the members of the police
force, upon their own application properly made on blanks furnished for
that purpose, whose official record is satisfactory to the Board, subject
to the approval and such regulations as the Superintendent of Police may
adopt and that such vacation be as follows:
Captains 14 days, Sergeants 10 days, Detectives 10 days, Roundsmen 5 days,
Patrolmen and Doormen, 6 days each.
Resolved, That all applications for leave of absence for summer vacation
shall be made at least three days before such leave such take effect.
Resolved, That all applications made by Sergeants and Roundsmen as
mentioned in the foregoing resolutions shall be accompanied by a record of
all charges preferred and sustained by the said Sergeants and Roundsmen,
before the Board of Police and Excise against delinquent police officers;
also a statement of all arrests made by them personally during the six
months ending the 1st day of July, 1879.
Resolved, That no officer of any grade shall be permitted to absent himself
until his application is approved by the Board, and that no officer shall
be permitted to anticipate an approval.
Resolved, That the rule allowing sergeants, roundsmen, patrolmen and
doormen to be off duty nights at certain periods, be and the same is hereby
suspended during the summer vacation.
Resolved, That the vacation be and the same is hereby fixed to commence on
the 15th day of July, 1879.
You must not allow too many absentees, so as to avoid impairing the
efficiency of the force.
By order of the Board,
Patrick CAMPBELL, Superintendent of Police
11 July 1879
BOUNCED- A Drunken Policeman's Exit From a Saloon
How he Created a Disturbance--Too Much Whiskey Makes Too Much Fight-
The Case in the Police Court--The Commissioners to take Action
Patrolman Michael TRAVERS, of the Second Precinct, made an exhibition of
himself last night in a Fulton street liquor saloon, which will doubtless
cost him his place on the police force. According to the report of Captain
CRAFTS, of the Second Precinct, TRAVERS at 7:40 o'clock landed at Jewell's
wharf from one of the Rockaway steamboats. He seemed under the influence
of stimulants, and crossed the gang plank singing. Thence he passed
directly to Martin MADDIGAN'S liquor saloon, No. 9 Fulton street, where he
ordered drinks, and continued imbibing until he owed eighty cents. A
demand was then made for the money, abut he declined to pay any attention
to it, and grandiloquently waving the bartender bank, was not, however, to
be so easily bluffed, and insisting upon immediate payment, so angered
TRAVERS, that the latter drew a pistol and threatened to shoot him. The
loud and excited tones in which the conversation was carried on had
fortunately attracted the attention of Sergeant CARROUGHER, of the Second
Precinct, who was passing, and he entered the saloon just at the critical
moment, and seeing the situation, attempted to arrest TRAVERS. The latter
being in a furious mood, however, declined to submit to arrest, and at once
offered a determined resistance. CARROUGHER, seeing the danger, rapped for
help, and in a few minutes four officers responded. A desperate tussle,
almost amounting to a fight, then took place, and in the melee the Sergeant
was four times by mistake struck in the face by an outsider, who pretended
that he was assisting the police. Officer KEARNEY also had his coat badly
torn. But finally, superior force prevailed, and TRAVERS was taken to the
station-house and locked up on a charge of drunkenness and disorderly
conduct. How the officers refrained from clubbing him is a mystery.
This morning the prisoner was taken before Justice WALSH, upon complaint of
Sergeant CARROUGHER and was sentenced to pay a fine of $10 or stand
committed to jail for ten days. A friend paid the fine for him and TRAVERS
was liberated. yesterday was "his day off," and that was the way he came
to go to Rockaway.
Superintendent CAMPBELL to-day suspended TRAVERS from duty, and ordered
charges to be preferred against him.
His record as a member of the police force is not creditable. he was born
in January, 1851 and learned the trade of an oysterman, December 6, 1876,
he obtained an appointment as patrolman, and was assigned to duty in the
Third Precinct, where he remained until April 14, 1879, when he was
transferred to the Third Precinct. During 1877 his conduct, according to
the records, appears to have been exemplary, as no charges were preferred
against him by his commanding officers, but since then he has had eleven
charges preferred against him. In 1878 he was fined as follows by the
Commissioners for offences: For violation of rules, one days pay, January
9, and two days' pay April 4; for improper conduct, one day's pay, October
1; for violation of rules, two days' pay, October 1; for neglect of duty;
one day's pay, November 6, and three days' pay December 11. One the 9th of
April he was fined one day's pay for neglect of duty.
26 July 1879
A New York Policeman's Suicide
Policeman Bartholomew GAFFNEY, of the Eighteenth Precinct, New York,
committed suicide by shooting himself at an early hour this morning at his
residence, No. 325 East Twenty-fifth street in that city. The ball entered
the right side of the head in front of the ear and passed out on the other
side. GAFFNEY was fifty-nine years of age and leaves a wife and several
young children, all of whom are laid up with whooping cough. it is
supposed that he committed the rash act while laboring under temporary
aberration of mind, produced by sickness. His home life was happy and it
is said that he was well off financially. He was an Irishman and had been
thirty-nine years in the country. His post for a long time past was at
Stuyvesant Park, and he was well known to and heartily liked by the
children and grown up people who frequent that shady breathing place in the
midst of the city.
31 July 1879
Death of a Policeman
Ex-Police Sergeant James LEAVEY, an obliging officer, died last night of
consumption at his residence in Kosciusko street. He was appointed as a
patrolman November 18, 1868, and assigned to duty in the Ninth
Precinct. In 1870 he was made a detective, and on the 12th of January,
1877, was promoted to a Sergeantcy in the Thirteenth Precinct. On the 6th
of March, 1879, he was reduced to the ranks and transferred from the Ninth
to the Fourth Precinct. Being ill he was assigned to day duty, but his
health soon became so poor that he was utterly incapacitated for service,
and in June was retired by the Commissioners. Until taken sick he was of
apparently robust constitution, and was seemingly the last man to be
attacked by consumption.
JANUARY
1882
2 January 1882
Officer DUGAN had his hand seriously cut and knee injured yesterday
while stopping a runaway horse belonging to Joseph SCHNORR, 207 Green street.
A POLICEMAN INJURED
Officer Robert WALKER, of the Fourth Precinct, had his right foot severely
injured this morning while returning from post by falling off the front
platform of Myrtle avenue car No. 130. He was taken to the City Hospital.
A POLICEMAN BEATEN
A crowd of ruffians at three o'clock this morning beat Officer WOOLSAKE, of
the Fourth Precinct, while he was doing special duty in citizen's clothes at
the corner of Myrtle and Hudson avenue.
3 January 1882
POLICEMAN ARRESTED FOR DRUNKENESS
Roundsman DOWNEY, of the Third Precinct, for intoxication arrested BERNARD
REILLY a police officer, who lives at No. 486 Degraw Street, on Sunday night.
REILLY was so much under the influence of liquor as to be helpless and had to
be taken to the station in a wagon.
Greenpoint Items.
Martin GERKEN, of 134 Norman Avenue, who was appointed on the police force
by Commissioner JOURCAN on Saturday reported for duty at the Seventh Precinct
Station- house on the 1st. inst.
Arthur DUGAN, a patrolman attached to the Seventh Precinct Station-house,
and against whom four charges of drunkenness are now pending before the
commissioner sent his shield to the station-house on Saturday evening and
resigned from the force.
5 January 1882
DISMISSED A. Third Precinct Police Officer who was Arrested for Drunkenness.
Officer Bernard RILEY, of the Third precinct, was found helplessly drunk
on Monday morning by Roundsman DOWNEY. RILEY was taken to the station-house
in a wagon being unable to walk. These facts were related to Police Commissioner
JOURDAN yesterday. The roundsman also swore that RILEY attempted to assault him
in the station-house. This the officer denied. He said he had been invited by a
friend to have a New Year drink, and that he took two glasses of whiskey.
Commissioner JOURDAN dismissed RILEY from the force.
24 January 1882
FLAMES--A Policeman's Gallant Rescue of Children
Six Little Ones Saved from Death, the Result of an Explosion of Kerosene,
A kerosene lamp in the apartment o Bridget WHELEHAN, at No. 142 Grand
Avenue, exploded about a quarter before four o'clock this morning, setting fire
to the building, a two story frame structure. The WHELEHAN family occupied
the top floor, where John LOFTUS, a son in law also resides. The flames spread
quickly, owing to the strong wind which was blowing, and soon enveloped the
upper part of the house. Officer Wm. KNIPE of the fourth Precinct, who was in
the neighborhood, ran to the scene, and upon being informed there were
sleeping children on the top floor, made his way upstairs. In so doing he placed
himself in jeopardy, but thinking of the children he made his way to the room in
which they were sleeping, and in which the fire burned fiercely, and after much
effort, resulting from being obliged to make several trips to the room, he succeeded
in safely removing them. The children were six in number, ranging in age from 2 to
14 years. The children were those of Mr.LOFTUS. The building was damaged $500
and is not insured. The damage to the furniture is $200, which is covered by insurance.
25 January 1882
OFFICER KNIPE 'S BRAVERY.
A Special Report of the Fire in Grand Avenue Yesterday. The Officer to
be Commended by Commissioner JOURDAN.
In accordance with an order made by Superintendent of Police, CAMPBELL,
Captain WILLMARTH, of the Fourth Precinct, has forwarded the following
report in regard to the action of Officer KNIPE at the fire at No. 142 Grand
Avenue yesterday morning:
Patrolman Wm. KNIPE, of my command, reported that at 3:40 A.M., while
on patrol duty, he discovered smoke issuing from the second story of 142
Grand Avenue. He immediately ran there and entered the front door and ran
up stairs to the second story, where the smoke was so dense that it drove him
back. He then entered the room on the first floor and helped Mrs. Bridget
WHELEHAN, who occupied the floor, to the street, and then made another
attempt to get into the rooms on the second floor, but was driven back by
smoke. He returned to the sidewalk, when a small boy told him there were
children on the second floor. He then made another attempt to enter the rooms,
when he heard a man's voice calling him to come and help him for God's sake!
But the fire was burning so fiercely that he could not get into the room. He left
went to the sidewalk where Mr. John LOFTUS, who occupied the second floor,
broke the window and threw his six children out to him. He caught the children
in his arms. He then assisted Mr. LOFTUS and his wife out of the window, which
is ten feet from the sidewalk. The parties were all uninjured. The upper part of
the house was badly burned and without the officer's assistance the fire might
have been fatal to some of the occupants. The children's ages range from
2 to 14 years. The officer's mustache was slightly scorched. I think the officer's
action in the matter very commendable.
Commissioner JOURDAN is to issue an order commending Officer KNIPE'S
bravery at the fire.
DEATH OF A POLICE OFFICER:
Patrolman John HURST, of the Second Precinct, who has been
connected with the police force for a number of years, died
yesterday.
At a meeting of officers and patrolmen of the precinct at
the station house yesterday afternoon, Captain CRAFTS in the
chair and Sergeant MORRELL recording, the following resolution,
reported by a committee, consisting of Sergeant Joseph
CARROUGHER and Patrolman Francis EARLEY and John KEARNEY, were
unanimously adopted.
Whereas, It has pleased the Almighty God in His divine
providence to take from us our beloved companion and fellow
patrolman, John HURST, a member of the police force for over
five years.
Resolved, That, while we deeply mourn his death, we offer to
his family in this their sad bereavement our heartfelt sympathy,
assuring, them that, while they have lost a beloved son
and the orphans left fatherless, we have lost a friend in our
brother officer.
Resolved, That we attend the funeral in a body and that the
station house be draped with the usual badge of mourning for
thirty days and that a copy of the foregoing resolution be
presented to the bereaved family and published in the Union Argus.
An Ex-Policeman Breaks His Wife's Arm's, An Unenviable Record.
Edward FITZSIMMONS, an ex police officer yesterday brutally beat his wife
Winnifred with a club, breaking one of her arms. He was arrested for the offense,
and today committed to jail for examination by Justice BERGEN. FITZSIMMONS
was removed from the force for cowardice and neglect of duty in connection with
the assault on a Republican torchlight procession during the campaign of 1880. He
appealed to the courts and was reinstated. A few weeks ago he was again dismissed,
then for beating his wife and for being drunk. There were seven charges against him.
It is said that the prisoner neglects to take proper care of his five children and the
society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children are inquiring into the matter
10 February 1879
The Murder of Policeman SMITH.
The trail of Mrs. Jessie R. SMITH, and Covert BENNETT upon the charge of
killing Policeman SMITH in Jersey city, on the night of July 31, 1878, was
begun in Jersey City, this morning
FEBRUARY
1882
5 February 1882
Death of a Greenpoint Policeman
Frank B. REED, a patrolman attached to the Seventh Precinct, died at his
residence, Meserole and Manhattan avenues, Greenpoint, this morning , of
pneumonia. Deceased was appointed on the police force in 1861, and was a
very efficient officer. He was 58 years old and a member of Greenpoint Lodge
of Free Masons. The funeral will take place to-morrow afternoon at two o'clock.
22 February 1882
A Private Detective Arrested
James Irving, a private detective, living at No. 215 North Second street,
Eastern District, forced an entrance into Delia BLAKE's residence,
No. 534 Marcy avenue, and made off with a sewing machine worth $40, which
he said had been sent for by a New York manufacturing firm.
Irving was arrested.
27 February 1882
Police Retirements and Changes
It is expected that Police Commissioner JOURDAN will to-morrow retire several
super-annuated members of the force who have been reported by the Board of
Surgeons to be unfit for active duty :
Inspector WADDY will be among the number, and his position will, in all
probability, be filled by Drill-Capt. H. JEWETT.
Mr. Wm. McKIVEY, telegraph operator, will, it is thought, be
called upon to be Drill-Captain,
Mr. James KEENAN, now clerk in the Telegraph Department, made operator.
MARCH
1882
1 March 1882
Brooklyn Union Argus
The Police
Reappointments and Transfers By General JOURDAN
Captains WORTH and KAISER Change Places-
Twelve Sergeants and Seven Roundsmen
Transferred and the Reason Therefor-
Commissioner JOURDAN Announces His
Appointments-All of the Present Staff Retained.
Police Commissioner JOURDAN to-day announced his
appointments, and also made a number of transfers in the
Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Twelfth and Thirteenth Precincts,
including two captains, namely, Captains WORTH and
KAISER, the former going from the Sixth to the Thirteenth
Precinct, and Captian KAISER from the Thirteenth to the
Sixth. There were also twelve sergeants and seven roundsmen
transferred. The Commissioner said that the transfers were not
made because of any other reason than to secure better and
more faithful work from the men.
He said it had come to his knowledge that in some station-houses
where sergeants had for a long time been associated with each
other they had formed combinations and in that way shirked
their duty. It was to break up this that in part the changes were
made. The following is a list of transfers.
Captain WORTH, Sixth to Thirteenth
Captain KAISER, Thirteenth to Sixth
Sergeant James WARD, Sixth to Seventh
Sergeant John REARDON, Thirteenth to Seventh
Sergeant Wm. KITZER, Sixth to Fifth
Sergeant Leonard W. ELLIOTT, Seventh to Sixth
Sergeant Wm N. STRONG, Thirteenth to Fifth
Sergeant Richard B.G. SMITH, Thirteenth to Fifth
Sergeant Robert W. REED, Seventh to Sixth
Sergeant James L. HALLETT, Fifth to Sixth
Sergeant James G. DEBEVOISE, Seventh to Thirteenth
Sergeant John W. WANNELL, Sixth to Thirteenth
Sergeant George W. BUNCE, Fifth to Thirteenth
Sergeant Wm. BURFOLD, Fifth to Seventh
Roundsman James GREEN, Sixth to Seventh
Roundsman J.Addison CORWIN, Twelfth to Thirteenth
Roundsman J.T. TRAVERS, Fifth to Thirteenth
Roundsman Samuel STILLWAGON, Seventh to Sixth
Roundsman Cyrus K. FICKETT, Thirteenth to Sixth
Roundsman Neil CARNEY, Thirteenth to Twelfth
Roundsman Hugh GORMAN, Sixth to Fifth
The following employees of the department were reappointed:
Samuel RICHARDS, Deputy Commissioner, and Chief Clerk
Parr HARLOW, Deputy Clerk
E.L. LANGFORD, Accountant
A.S. ROWLEY, Property Clerk
F.L. JENKENS, Clerk to Superintendent
A.B. THORNE, Fire Marshal
Drs. James WATT, John E. RICHARDSON and E. MALONE, Police Surgeons
George R. SMITH, Clerk to Excise Board
Charles EISENHUT, Cashier Excise Board
Charles E. COOK and D.W. WILKES, Clerks in Excise Board
Thomas F. POWERS, boiler inspector
Rienard FOX and John RUGER, Boiler Inspectors
James WEBB, Clerk to Boiler Inspector
George M. FLANLEY, Telegraph Superintendent
Thomas M. CORNELL, Thomas WILLIAMS and Wm J. MC KELVEY,Telegraph Operators
Augustus MANEE, Lineman
Wm. MC CONNELL, Assistant Lineman
6 March 1882
A Police Officer Assaulted
Mrs. MURPHY, living at No. 198 Butler street, complained to the Third Precinct
police on Saturday night that her husband, James MURPHY had turned her and
her children from their home. Officer RHATTIGAN went to the house and was
met in the hall by MURPHY, who was intoxicated, and who carried an iron
poker, with which he struck the officer on the head. RHATTIGAN used his club
in self-defence and struck MURPHY on the head, inflicting a slight cut, after
which he arrested MURPHY and locked him up.
Attempting to Shoot
Michael BIANCO, charged with attempting to shoot Officer CLOUGHER, of
the Fifth Precinct, was fined $15 in Justice NAEHER's court this morning.
11 March 1882
Policemen Assaulted by Roughs
A crowd of rufflans on Saturday noght threw stones on Front street at a
roundsman and Officers ROGERS and HORAN, who were taking a drunken and
disorderly person, PETER LYNCH, of No.37 Main street,to the Second Precinct
Station house. The assailants escaped.
14 March 1882
A Police Roundsman Reduced
Police Commissioner JOURDAN to-day reduced Roundsman Felix
BRADY, of the Third Precinct, to the rank of patrolman, for
inefficiency and gross neglect of duty. Alexander BARR, an old
officer, who retired from the force some time since, was appointed
to fill the vacancy.This is the first time the laws of 1881 giving the
Police Commissioner power to reduce members of the force from
one grade to another has been put into force. General JOURDAN
said he thought it would better serve the purpose to reduce
Roundsman BRADY then to dismiss him, and for that reason the
law was taken advantage of.
16 March 1882
A Policeman Too Drunk to Walk
Patrolman George W. TRAVIS, of the Seventh Precinct police,
was found on his post at Franklin street and Greenpoint avenue
last night too drunk to walk and was taken in charge by two other
officers, who took him to the station-house where he was stripped
of his uniform and placed in a cell.
APRIL
1882
1 April 1882
THE POLICE
APPOINTMENT OF AN INSPECTOR OF THE FORCE
Captain JEWETT Selected by Gen. JOURDAN--Mr. MCKELVEY, Made Drill Captain,
vice JEWETT--The Detective Force to be Reorganized.
Police Commissioner JOURDAN to-day announced a number of changes in the
Department which were made necessary by the retirement of Inspector WADDY.
They are as follows:
Drill Capatin Henry L. JEWETT to be Inspector and Chief of Detectives.
Telegraph operator Wm. J. MCKELVEY to be Drill Captain.
James KEENAN, clerk in the telegraph department to be operator.
Mrs. James CORTELYOU female searcher at Police Headquarters,
vice Mrs. W. R. GEAR, who was recently assigned.
The position of clerk in the telegraph department remains untitled.
GENERAL JOURDAN SAID
that it was his purpose to reorganize the Detective Bureau, and because of
that fact had made Inspector JEWETT Chief of the Bureau. It is the
Commissioner's intention to organize all the detectives in the city into one
corps, with Inspector JEWETT at their head and as the general manager,
Superintendent CAMPBELL to have power to assign them to any precinct he might
see fit. They will not be precinct detectives, but at the same time will be
under the control of the Captains of the precincts to which they may be
assigned, and also answerable to Inspector JEWETT for their acts. Precinct
detectives will be done away with, although if there be need of the
continuous services of a detective in any one precinct, he will be kept there
as long as needed. The Commissioner intimated that he shall shake up the
Detective Bureau and retain only thoroughly competent men. Chief of
Detectives JEWETT is to be the judge of the men's qualifications, and should
he deem a man unfit for his position the latter will be put on patrol duty.
General JOURDAN said that other changes were contemplated, and also that the
rules of the department were being revised for the purpose of better defining
the duties of the Inspector and Drill Captain.
8 April 1882
POLICE DICIPLINE
Captain SMITH, of the First Precinct, the oldest captain on the force;
Sergeant DYER, Roundsman SHEPARD, and Officer TERRY have been called before
the Police Commissioners for not working up a reported robbery at Alexander
HUNTER'S liquor saloon, 15 Myrtle avenue, to the satisfaction of
Superintendent CAMPBELL and Inspector WADDY. All were acquitted except DYER,
who was fined two days' pay for fifty minutes' dilitariness in not reporting
the case to his captain.
10 April 1882
Ex-Policeman FITZSIMMONS' Cruelty.
Ex-policman Edward FITZSIMMONS, who was recently released from jail, where
he served twenty-nine days for breaking his wife's arm, last night, at eleven
o'clock turned his two boys, Edward, aged 7, and John, aged 5, out of doors.
FITZSIMMONS lives at 340 Hicks street. Officer DOYLE, of the Third
Sub-Precinct, attempted to persuade the father to give the boys shelter, but
without success, and he then arrested him for cruelty to children. The
mother, who is living with a sister, was notified and took charge of the
boys. Justice BERGEN will take care of FITZSIMMONS.
DETECTIVES.
REORGANIZATION OF THE SECRET SERVICE POLICEMEN.
Commisioner JOURDAN's Order to Chief CAMPBELL-Inspector JEWETT Musters His
Force and Gives Instructions.
Police Commisioner JOURDAN to-day issued the following order:
Office of Commisioner of Police and Excise. Brooklyn, April 8, 1882.
Patrick CAMPBELL, Esq., Superintendent of Police
Sir: For the purpose of organizing the Central Office and precinct
detectives into one corps, which will be under the immediate command of the
inspector, you will make the following transfers from the several precincts
to the Central Office, which are to be headquarters of the corps. These
officers shall be detailed from time to time to such precincts as you may
deem necessary, namely:
Charles CHAMBERS and John A. LOWREY from the First Precinct.
Michael CAMPBELL from the Second Precinct.
James H. ROCHE, Cornelius J. MAHONEY and John CONNOR from the Third Precinct.
Joseph PRICE and Thomas SHAUGHNESSY from the Fourth Precinct.
Martin SHORT and Thomas HOLLAND and James MULLER from the Fifth Precinct.
Wm. IHNE from the Sixth Precinct.
Thomas DRUHEN from the Eight Precinct.
Henry P. KELLY from the Ninth Precinct.
Bartholomew CURRAN and James LENAHAN from the Tenth Precinct.
James ENNIS and Stephen DONLON from the Thirteenth Precinct.
Detective Wm. D. STRONG from the Central Office to the Detective Corps to
act in the capacity of clerk to said corps.
By order of the Commissioner. Samuel RICHARDS, Chief Clerk.
Superintendent CAMPBELL has assigned the detectives to do duty in the
following precincts until further orders: First, CAMBERS and LOWREY; Second,
CAMPBELL; Third, ROCHE and MAHONEY; Fourth, PRICE and SHAUGHNESSEY; Fifth,
SHORT and HOLLAND; Sixth, IHNE; Seventh, DORLON; Eighth, DRUHEN; Ninth,
KELLY; Tenth, CURRAN and LENAHAN; Eleventh, CONNOR; Twelfth, MULLIN;
Thirteenth, ENNIS, and Third-Sub, DALY.
MAY
1882
2 May 1882
Patrolman ALVIN POOLE, of the 7th. Precinct Police, has been detailed
for duty at Justice NAEHER'S court.
4 May 1882
AN OLD OFFICER GONE
DEATH OF PATROLMAN JOHN BEATTY--HIS NARROW ESCAPE FROM THE BULLET OF ROBERT
MURRAY.
Patrolman JOHN BEATTY, a veteran police officer of this city,
lately attached to Captain LEAVY'S command in the 3rd. Precinct died
yesterday at his residence, No. 89 Douglas street. The deceased was a
sergeant at the 1st. Precinct on the old Metropolitan Police Force. When the
latter was broken-up Mr. BEATTY was legislated out of his position, but was
reappointed a patrolman by the Brooklyn Commissioner of Police. He served
faithfully under ex-capt. JOEL SMITH for years, when he was transfered to the
3rd. Precinct. While on patrol duty in the1st. one night he was shot by
ROBERT, better known as "CROW" MURRAY. the officer was standing on Fulton
street, near Adams, when MURRAY, who had been carousing with some friends,
fired from the direction of the Court House. On the trial it was claimed that
MURRAY fired at a cat, and he was acquitted for the want of evidence of
intent. Officer BEATTY received the bullet from MURRAY'S revolver and was
invalided for a long time. He narrowly escaped losing his arm. The deceased
was a member of Fortitude Lodge, F &A.M., to which many old Brooklynites
prominent in politics in by- gone days belonged.
8 May 1882
WHAT OFFICER BOWES IS ACCUSED OF.
Officer PATRICK BOWES, of the 7th. Precinct, is a married man, but
a complaint has been made to captain RHODES that he had been endeavoring to
form an acquaintance with a 16 year old girl living with her guardian
opposite the 7th Precinct Station. BOWES has been writing letters to the girl
in which he addresses her as his "darling" and sends her a thousand kisses,
etc. Captain RHODES preferred charges against Bowes at headquarters, and an
examination is to be held in a few days. BOWES was formerly a keeper in Sing
Sing Prison and considerable testimony against him was taken by an Assembly
Commitee. When he left the prison he obtained an appointment on the police
force in Brooklyn.
11 May 1882
INSPECTOR JEWETT
is 39 years of age and was born in Tioga County, N. Y. He served in the late
war in the Third New York Regiment. He has been Drill Captain since 1873,
and since ex-Inspector WADDY's illness has attended to the duties of the
latter position also.
Drill Captain MCKELVEY is 40 years of age and was born in Rhode Island. He
served in the Tenth New York Regiment during the late war and distinguished
himself on the field under MCCLELLAN, HOOKER AND BURNSIDE. He became
connected with the New York police force in 1864. He has been an operator in
this city several years at Police Headquarters. He is a lieutenant in the
Thirteenth Regiment.
Mr. James KEENAN has been in the department several years. He is very
popular and a faithfull employee.
Greenpoint items
Police Commissioner JOURDAN refused to accept the resignation of
patrolman PATRICK KELLY, of the 7th. precinct, yesterday. He tried him on 1
of the 6 charges pending against him and dismissed him from the force.
KATE ROLAND, 38 years of age, of 319 Oakland street, was taken suddenly
ill yesterday and died before medical assistance could be obtained.
27 MAY 1882
THE BROOKLYN PUGILISTS
The "Police Gazette" announces that LEONARD TRACEY and ALEXANDER
BROWN, both of Brooklyn, will fight for $400, on June 22, within 100 miles of
new York. The final stakes are posted with RICHARD K. FOX.
CAPTAIN CRAFTS INJURED
Police Captain CRAFTS, of the 2nd. Precinct, while crossing York
street, near Adams last night for the purpose of quelling a disturbance,
strained one of the sinews of his left leg, temporarily disabling him.
JUNE
1882
7 June 1882
Death of Patrolman MANGAN
Patrolman Harvey MANGAN of the Fifth Precinct died this morning at 146 North
Fourth street. He had been on the Fifth Precinct Squad since 1864 and was in his 61st
year. He was well known and much respected in the Eastern District.
8 June 1882
Ex-Police Inspector George A. WADDY died last night at his residence, No. 373
Putnam Avenue. He had been ill more than a year from a complication of diseases,
which eventually carried him off. He was born in New Jersey in 1826, and started in
life as a truckman. In 1851 he was appointed a patrolman, in which position he served
with credit, distinguishing himself by his bravery. During the cholera epidemic he
was appointed Health Warden and served under Mayor George HALL. In June 1863 he was
appointed Sergeant and placed in command of the Ninth sub-precinct. In 1865 he was
transferred to the Fourth Precinct, which was then infested by many gangs of
burglars; and so faithfully did he perform his duties that many residents of the
precinct desiring to show their appreciation of his services, presented him with a
silver service which cost $800. In 1869 he was transferred to the Third Precinct,
remaining there until the following year when the Metropolitan force went out of
existence. During June 1872 he was induced to apply for his former position as
Captain of the Fourth and he was at once appointed. He remained there until October
1873 when Inspector John FOLK was made Superintendent and was then promoted to the
position of Inspector. This he held until about two months ago when he retired on a
pension of $1,000 a year. He distinguished himself during the war riots and was
conspicuous in the arrest of GONZALES and PELLISIER, who were hanged for the murder
of OTERO in the City Park. His second wife and three sons and a daughter survive him.
He is thought to have been worth about $50,000. No action has as yet been taken by
the police as to the funeral.
9 June 1882
A Policeman’s Funeral
The funeral of Officer Harvey MANGEN, late of the Fifth Precinct force, took place
at two o’clock this afternoon from the M. E. Church corner of South Third and Fourth
streets, of which the Rev. J. J. WHITE is pastor. Fifty-four policemen in full dress
uniform accompanied the body to Cypress Hills Cemetery.
George A. WADDY
Action by the Police Department—The Funeral and Interment
A meeting of members of the police force to take action on the death of the late
ex-Inspector George A. WADDY was held at Headquarters to-day. Superintendent CAMPBELL
presided and Inspector JEWETT acted as secretary. Captains RHODES, WOGLOM,
McLAUGHLIN, MacKELLER and CAMPBELL as a committee drew up the following resolutions:
Whereas George A. WADDY, late Inspector of Police, after long suffering has passed
away from this life: therefore,
Resolved, that the late Inspector by his long, faithful and active services has
made himself a reputation long to be remembered by the Police Department of the City
of Brooklyn and especially to those who have been intimately associated with him in
its affairs.
Resolved, That as a citizen the people of this city will with us deeply deplore
his loss.
Resolved, That we sincerely sympathize with his bereaved wife and children in the
loss of a loving husband and kind father.
Resolved, That we attend the funeral of our late associate in a body, and a copy
of this preamble and resolution be sent to his family.
The remains of the late Inspector will be interred at Elizabeth, N. J., on Sunday
next. Services will be held at his late residence in the afternoon. Flags are at
half-mast at Headquarters and in all the station houses.
10 June 1882
Captain RHODES of the Seventh Precinct Police has preferred charges against
Sergt. A. L. BATTERSBY for going into his residence while on duty and
remaining there three hours.
17 June 1882
The police officers pay $2.00 and not 92 cents for their new straw hats as a
mistake of the types made it yesterday in the Union-Argus.
22 June 1882
The Case of Policeman BOWES
Police Commissioner JOURDAN to-day heard the testimony of two witnesses on
behalf of Officer BOWES, of the Seventh Precinct, who is accused of improper
conduct in flirting with one Minnie ROBERSON, a young girl living opposite the
station. The evidence went to show that the fact was known to the girl’s
guardian that BOWES was a married man. At the conclusion of the case, BOWES’
counsel questioned the jurisdiction of the Commissioner in the matter, but the
latter decided against him. He said he had a brief to submit, but General
JOURDAN had determined to close the case, and told counsel that he might put
in the brief to-morrow.
28 June 1882
The Condition of Officer EARLEY
Policeman EARLEY, who was shot on Monday night by Richard McCULLOUGH, was
much better today and was able this morning to arise from his cot in the
hospital and wash himself. He is not, however, yet out of danger.
29 June 1882
Constable RICE Accused
Constable Rich. E. RICE of the Eighth Ward was called today Justice BERGEN
today to answer a complaint made by Patrick HEFFERNAN. It appears the two men
had some trouble about a dispossess case which was in RICE’s hands and
HEFFERNAN took it from him and engaged another constable. Then RICE, as
HEFFERNAN alleges, threatened to kill the latter. Justice BERGEN adjourned the
examinations.
5 July 1882
Death of Police Sergeant CARMAN
Police Sergeant Charles R. CARMAN, of the Tenth Precinct, died this
morning at his residence, No. 143 Schemerhorn street, after an illness which
lasted ten days. Sergeant CARMAN was appointed a patrolman in February
1874, having previously served on the New York force. He was promoted to a
Sergeancy in 1879, and in the following year was assigned to the Tenth
Precinct. He was made ill ten days ago by measles after which he was
attacked by typhoid fever and kidney troubles. Sergeant CARMAN was a good
officer and much esteemed by all his associates. He leaves a widow and family.
6 July 1882
Officer NELSON's Condition
Officer Thomas NELSON, of the Ninth Precinct, who was accidentally shot
by Charles MILLER early yesterday morning, rested well through the night and
was much better to-day. The charge of felonious assault made against MILLER
was changed to firing a pistol with intent to do bodily harm, and on this he
gave bail in the sum of $2,500 to appear for examination.
Sergeant CARMAN's Death
A meeting was held in the Bergen street station-house last night by the
members of the Tenth Precinct and Mounted Squad to take action on the death
of their late comrade, Sergeant Charles B. CARMAN. Captain John MACKELLAR
presided, and Sergeant James W. LAMB acted as Secretary. Sergeant John H.
JOHNSON and Officers Willett S. HAWXHURST, John BANNON, Julius HALLMAN and
Jerry COFFEY were appointed a Committee on Resolutions. They reported the
following, which were adopted:
Whereas, Having learned with feelings of deep sorrow of the death of our
late associate, Charles B. CARMAN, whose mental, moral and social qualities
endeared him to all; and
Whereas, It is eminently fitting that this sad affliction should evoke
from us a suitable token of respect to his memory; it is therefore
Resolved, That in the death of Charles B. CARMAN, we are called upon to
mourn the loss of a faithful and efficient officer, a courteous and gentle
associate and an upright and honest man.
Resolved, That to his bereaved family in their great loss we tender our
heartfelt sympathy; but that while we deplore his death we bow to the will
of the Almighty God.
Resolved, That we attend the funeral from his late residence, 142
Schermerhorn street, and that a copy of the foregoing resolutions be
tendered to the family of the deceased, and also inserted in the Union-Argus
and Eagle.
The funeral was held this afternoon, and was attended by many members of
the department in addition to those connected with the Tenth Precinct and
the Mounted Squad. The interment was made in Greenwood.
10 July 1882
An Officer Stoned and Beaten
Officer WILSON, of the Fourth Precinct early yesterday morning saw a
number of young men drinking beer from a can and acting in a disorderly
manner at the corner of Washington and Flushing avenues and arrested one of
them named Henry F. MURPHY. The latter struck the officer with the can
inflicting several severe cuts on his face and head. The prisoner's friends
came to his assistance and stoned the officer, but the latter drew his club
and succeeded in subduing MURPHY by striking him on the head and frightening
his friends. Justice WALSH committed MURPHY pending an examination.
A Pensioner in Distress
Roundsman MARA, of the First Precinct, last night found Patrick Burke,
aged 49, a war pensioner living in Washington street, near Front, lying in
Myrtle avenue, suffering from pain in his injured leg and unable to walk.
He was removed to the City Hospital.
Flirting Policeman Bowes
Police Commissioner JOURDAN has imposed a fine of ten days' pay on
Patrolman BOWES. The flirting Greenpoint policeman, and instructed
Superintendent CAMPBELL to transfer him to another precinct. Commissioner
JOURDAN says the police are to protect innocence rather than seek to destroy it.
14 July 1882
A Mounted Policeman Injured
Office Gustav A. WESSMAN, of the Mounted Squad, yesterday met with a
serious accident while endeavoring to catch a runaway horse. The animal ran
away in Flatbush avenue, and was followed by the officer to the railroad
track at Atlantic avenue, where WESSMAN, having come alongside, stooped over
to seize the bridle. As he did so his own horse slipped and fell, throwing
the officer, who had his left arm and the little finger of his right hand
fractured, had his nose injured and sustained several bruises to his body.
He was removed to his residence, No. 544 Nostrand avenue.
25 July 1882
An Ex-Policeman Arrested
Michael TRAVERS, an ex-policeman, was seen by Officer McDERMOTT, of the
Third Precinct, in Columbia street, drunk and acting in a disorderly manner.
McDERMOTT requested him to move on, and he told the officer to go to --,
that he had money enough to pay any fine a judge might improve upon him. He
was arrested, and to-day before Justice BERGEN admitted that he made the
remark imputed to him. He was fined $10, which he paid.
14 August 1882
Captain A. Smith FRENCH, brother of Police Commissioner FRENCH, of New
York, died suddenly at Sag Harbor, L.I., on Thursday, of hemorrhage of
the brain. Deceased was in the sixty-fifth year of his age, and in
earlier years was a captain in the whaleship service. At the time of
his death he was a Custom House inspector in control of the district
from North Fourth street to Bushwick Creek. He has been a resident of
Greenpoint for the past five year.
22 August 1882
A SERIOUS CHARGE - What A Police Sergeant and a Young Eastern District
Physician Are Charged With.
A charge of a serious nature, testimony in reference to which was
taken by Commissioner JOURDAN on Wednesday, is pending against Police
Sergeant Nicholas BOCH, of the Sixth Precinct. The complaint was made by a
young woman, who, about a week since, was a prisoner in the station house.
She alleges that shortly after she was locked up Doorman KEPPEL, by order of
Sergeant BOCH, opened the door of the cell and admitted Dr. Charles HEYL, who
was formerly Ambulance Surgeon, and now acts at times in the capacity. He is
at present connected with St. Catherine's Hospital. The woman testified
before the Commissioner that Dr. HEYL remained with her in the cell nearly an
hour, during which time he twice assaulted her. She also stated that
subsequently Sergeant BOCH brought her a pie and that after she had eaten it
he twice threw his arms around her and kissed. She denied that she was ill
or that there was any need of a physician to attend her. Sergeant BOCH and
Dr. HEYL denied the story, although both admitted that the former was in the
cell half an hour. Sergeant BOCH denied that he was in the cell and claimed
that he passed the pie through an aperture in the cell door. Both claim that
the prosecution is a blackmailing operation, and that they had been
approached for money to settle the matter. A decision will be rendered in a few days.
A DETECTIVE KILLED BY A TRAIN
George EGBERT, of Newark, was killed by the eastward-bound Washington
express at Linden, New Jersey, at ten o'clock last night. EGBERT was
the detective who recently arrested an eloping couple from Newark at New
Haven. The couple escaped from him. EGBERT heard that they had gone to
Elizabeth, and was in quest of them when killed.
25 August 1882
ONE POLICEMAN BEATS ANOTHER
Patrolman Thomas CANTWELL, of the Fifth Precinct Station-house, was
charged yesterday before Commissioner JOURDAN with having made a brutal
attack on Patrick LYNCH, a fellow policeman, on Tuesday evening, in the
yard of the station. CANTWELL, it is said, took umbrage at a bantering
remark made by LYNCH, and at once knocked him down by a tremendous blow
on the face and then beat him. LYNCH was so much punished in the brief
ancounter (sic) that he will be unfit for duty for some time. The left
side of his face is cut from the eye to the chin, his eyes are closed,
and there are several bruises and cuts on his head and sides. CANTWELL
denies making the assault.
28 August 1882
Officer Samuel HANCOCK, of the Eighth Precinct, on Saturday slipped and
fell while mounting the stoop of his residence, No. 136 Twentieth
street, and had one of his arms severely cut on a nail.
4 September 1882
LOUIS KARCHER, a member of the Soldiers and Sailors Union, an ex-policeman of
the Sixth Precinct, and veteran of the Mexican War died of consumption at his
home, 145 Leonard Street, in the 52nd year of his age, yesterday.
12 September 1882
A SPECIAL OFFICER LOSES HIS SHIELD. Eugene BIXBY keeps a lager-beer and
billiard saloon at No. 390 Court Street, and among his customers yesterday
was George J. HARDY. The latter and BIXBY quarrelled about money for drinks,
and BIXBY struck HARDY on the arm with a billiard-cue inflicting a severe
wound, for which he was arrested. HARDY wore a special officer's shield,
which was taken from him by Captain LEAVEY.
13 September 1882
DELINQUENT POLICEMEN. Two Members of the Force Dismissed and One Fined.
Officer Charles MALENBURG, of the Second Precinct, was today dismissed
from the department by Commissioner JOURDAN. He was charged with neglecting
to investigate a report of a burglary made to him by a citizen, and failing
to report the case at the station; with sitting on a stoop in Talman Street
while on duty, and failing to discover a broken pane of glass in HALL, BLAIR &
Co.'s cigar store, corner of Fulton and Nassau Streets.
Officer Thomas EARLEY, of the Eleventh Precinct, was dismissed from
the force because General JOURDAN deemed him a dangerous man. On Monday last
he fired three shots at John O'KEEFE, who had escaped from him, in a crowded
street, one of the bullets striking a pedestrian. He also clubbed O'KEEFE
brutally. EARLEY, a few months ago was shot and dangerously injured by a
Canadian named MCCULLOCH, who he had arrested.
Officer Thomas SCOTT, of the Fifth Precinct, who was on duty at the
Grand Street Ferry on the 30th ultimo, when Maggie KEPPEL crossed the ferry
with Lizzie SEIDEN, was fined two days pay for not seeing the woman and child.
14 September 1882
ANOTHER OFFICER ASSAULTED. Officer MALONEY, of the Eleventh Precinct, at two
o'clock this morning arrested Philip DWYER and Daniel REED in Hamilton Avenue
for intoxication. Patrick COMERFORE, of No. 323 Columbia Street, went to the
assistance of the prisoners, knocked the officer down and succeeded in
releasing DWYER and REED. Subsequently, REED and COMERFORD were captured by
Officers RYAN and MCMAHON. DWYER is still at large.
19 September 1882
AN OFFICER CHARGED WITH BRUTALITY.
Complaint having been made that Officer W.J. GILLEN, of the Eleventh
Precinct, on Sunday last brutally clubbed Wm. H. JENKINS, of 92 Partition
Street, whom he was arresting, a special report of the circumstances was
called for and today handed in at Police Headquarters. It states that
JENKINS was arrested for drunkenness and disorderly conduct and that he
became violent whereupon the officer struck him on the head with his club.
Citizens who saw the clubbing, however, allege that it was brutal in the
extreme. Commissioner JOURDAN will make inquiry into the facts.
2 October 1882
Greenpoint-Police Captain GEORGE R. RHODES is reported to lying very ill at his
residence on Milton Street.
4 October 1882
RELIEF FOR CAPTAIN DEARIE'S FAMILY
Steps have been taken to raise a fund for the relief of the family
Captain Stewart DEARIE, recently met a horrible death at the great oil fire
on Newtown Creek. Among the members of the committee having the matter in
charge are Rev. C.H.PAYLOR, D.D., Dr. J.A. JENKINS, Marion BRIGGS, S.
OGLIVIA, George H. ROWE and other well-known residents of the Eastern
District. A subscription list may be found in the counting-room of the
Union-Argus, and all donations will be duly acknowledged in these columns.
Deliquent Policeman Fined
Patrolman Robert W. QUINN, of the Twelfth Precinct, was to-day fined 10
days' pay by Commissioner JOURDAN. He had been found in a saloon drinking
while in uniform.
Officer James J. KELLY, of the Fourth Precinct, was charged with two
offences, similiar to the above. He was fined ten days' pay for each.
Lawrence J. MURPHY, of the Fourth Precinct, a young officer, was fined
five days' for a similar offence. Each offiecer received a severe
reprinmand, and was cautioned not to repeat the offences on the pain of dismissal.
5 October 1882
An Officer's Coat Stolen
A blue sack flannel coat belonging to Officer MCMAHON, of Justice
WALSH'S court, in the pockets of which were thirty warrants, was last night
stolen from the officer's room attached to the court.
14 Octob