Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1869-05-14
JOHN sIoRRIssEY.
The History Of a Congressmsn.

A few years ago John Morrissey was
resident of Troy. He kept small
drinking saloon Of the lowest character.
Il was the resort of the low prize fight
ers, thieves and dissolute persons of all
degrees. So low. anu dissolute and dis
reputable that it was closed by the au-
ihorities. Drunken, brutal, without
friends or money, battered in his clothes
and in his person, he drifted down to
New York to see what would turn up.
He located. himself in the lowest stews
of New York. At that time heelec-
tons in The city were carried by brute
force. There was no registry law, and
the injunction of politicians to "vote
early and-vote late" was literally obeyed.
Roughs, Short Boys, brutal representa-
tons of the Bloody Sixth, took posses
sion Of the polls. Respectable men, who
were known TO beopposed to the corrup-
ton and brutality which marked the
elections, were assaulted, beaten, robbed
and often had their coats torn from their
backs. The police were powerless; of
ten they were allies of the DULLES, and
the citizens had as much to fear from
them as from the rowdies. If the elec-
ton was likely to 60 against them, and
their friends presided over the ballot box,
and should signal the danger, a rush
would be made by twenty or thirty des-
perate fellows, the boxes be seized and
smashed, tables and heads broken, the
voters dispersed, and the election carried
BY default. -
A local election was to take place in
the upper part of the city. The friends
Of good order were in the majority if
allowed to vote. But it was known
that the Fewdies would come in force to
control the election. A few voters got
together to see what could be done, and
among them the present General Super
tendent of Police. 1t was suggested
that force be met with force, that the
ballot-boz be guarded, and the assaiIants
be beaten off by their own weapons
But where coull the materials he found
to grapple with the Plug Uglies and
their associates! Somebody said tina,
Merrissey was in town ready for a Job,
and that he could organize a force and
guard the election. 3
One day Mrs. Kennedy came to her
husband, rs he sat in his room, and said
to him. There is an awfulIooking man
at the door, who wants to see you. He
is dirty and ragged, has ferocous look,
and is the most terrible fellow | ever saw
Don't 90 to the door; he certainly means
mischief" ''Is he big, burly looking
fellow?" "Yes." BROAD shouldered,
tall. with nose turned one sides" eyes,
yes" said the impatient lady. ooh,
know who it is; it is John Morrissey, let
him come in" 30, husband. the idea
of, your associating with such men, and
bringing them to the house, too.' But
the unweicome visitor walked into the
| parIor. Now, John Morrissey at Sarato.
ga, IN his white flannel suit, huge dia
mond rings, and pin containing brlIlants
of the first water. and of immense size,
tall of stature, a powerfuI-looking fellow,
walking quietly about the streets, or
lounging at the hotel, but seldom speak
ing, is not a bad looking man. Seen in
New York in bis clerical black suit, a
little too fashy to be minister, yet
among bankers, mercha hts, or at the
stock board he would pass very well as
one of the solid men of the city. But
Molrissey as he appeared that morning
he was an entirely different parsonage.
He had come from long debauch, and
that of the lowest kind. Hewas bruis-
ed and banged up. His clothes were
tattered. The Island was all that seem
ed to be opened to him. With him a
bargain was made to organize force Of
fighters and DULLES, suflicientto prevent
the ballot boxes from being smashed, and
the voters from being driven from the
polls. He said he could do it, for he
was at home among desperadoes. True
to his appointment, he was at the polls
before they were open. He was attend
ed by about thirty as desperate looking
fellows as ever rode in wagon or
swung from Tyburn. He stationed his
forces, gave his orders, told each not to
strike promiscuuously, but, on the first
appearance of distui bance, each to sieze
his man, and not leave him till his head
was broken. There was no disturbance
till twelve o'clock. The late Captain
Carpenter was in charge. About noon
a huge lumber van drove up, drawn bv
four horses. 1t was loaded with the
toughest of the rough, who shouted and
yelled as the vehicle neared the curb
stone. Bill Poole, at that time so no,o-
rious led~the company. They were
choice specimens of the men who made
the rulers of New York. Plug Uglies,
Bummers, Roughs of the Bloody Sixth,
Short Boys, Fourth Warders, aud men
of that class, were fully represented =
Bill Poole sprang to the sidewalk. Cap
tain Carpenter stood in the door. Adj
dressing him, Poole said, Soap, may
60 Ins" "Oh, yes; walk in and well
come" Carpenter said. and in Poole
went He saw the situation at glance.
He measured Morrissev and his gang,
turned on his heel, and passing out, said,
"Good morning, Cap; l won't give you
call to-day; drive on, boys" And on
they went to some polling place where
they could play their desperate game
without having their heads broken.
This was Morrissey's first upward step.