The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1874-07-31
OUR POLICE FORCE AND CITY
LOOKUP

A Lively Time Among the Boys.
Whatever may be thought or said of FIRE.
mont it certainly cannot be laid to her charge
that she is overtaxed with police superveil-
enee. Yet, small as her force may be, we do
not hesitate to openly assert that the eficien-
cy and impartiality of the men in the faith
full discharge of their duties stands in happy
contrast with the inadequate facilities at their
disposal. As we stated last week, credit is
due to our 'city fathers" for providing hand
cuffs and nippers, though those necessary
means of protection were not forthcoming
until-lil1s the key that was provided for the
stable after the horse was stoIen-a prisoner
had escaped from one of the officers. And
now that the imperfect lock up accommodation
has been similarly illustrated it is to be hoped
our Council will also give that matter due
consideration. It is, indeed, high time. The
miserable little wooden "cage" in the engine
house is not proof against the physical force
and ingenuity Of prisoners, as exemplifed on
ly in the past week by being broken open and
resulting in the escape of its occupants. What
confidence does such a lookup inspire our po-
lice with Surely it is now time to ventilate
the subject and provide better means of Sc
curitv True, there is the county Jail near at
hand, but the incarceration of city prisoners
therein for ever so short time. incurs an ex-
pense to the city, and why should this be
necessary? We understand our respected
citizen S. A. June is constructing two very
substantial iron cells Of 3-16 inch iron for the
iaiI i'll the new town hall at Fostoria, with
which it might be well for our Council to
thoroughly acquaint themselves. These cells
forming complete box, with iron bunk riV-
eted inside, afford ample temporary accom-
mediation for several prisoners each, well ven
tilated and impenetrable from any ordinary
attacks within. We understand they will on
Iy cost little over S400, and can be moved
anywhere at pleasure. Such means of se-
curity would indeed be a vast improvement
over our present ''Wooden cage" and could
with ease and great advantage be removed
into oLr intended new town hall. This mat
ter is at least worth careful consideration.
And now, having thrown out the hint we will
give some reasons for the suggestions we
have made by review of police matters in
our city during the past week, whica has fur
nished
LIVELY TIME FOR THE BOYS.
On Thursday afternoon, Robt Greenough,
engineer on board the al. Q. RaWson," was
apprehended by constable Moore, for at
tempting to assault Capt James Shannon,
while driving on Croghan street with two la
dies. The prisoner, it appears, threw large
stone at the Capt, but it missed him, and
nearly struck one of the ladies, whom it is
highly probable it would have killed had it
hit. Moore placed him in the lock up, s0hich
BEING of aoo0d, be completely wrecked, tear
ing everything possible to pieces Next day,
however our Mayor made an example Of him
hv inficting fines and expenses amounting to
S26.25, which his friends ultimately paid, and
James left ga wiser if not better man"
Again, on Saturday evening about II
o'clock, a young man from Bellevue, named
Vet. Grower, called at a saloon on State st.,
and requested to be supplied with liquor, but
the official in charge considering the appli-
can't to be sufficiently ''ful, !" refused to supply
him, whereupon Vet. took to the street and
INDUCED a vociferous series OF antics. That
functionary of the peace from the East side
Mat Free-happening to be on hand, lost no
time in subduing the hero by apprehending
him and handing him over to the tender
mercies of Constable Beck, at the lock up.
Returning to his accustomed beat, Free next
found one Topin indulging carouse on the
East side. Mat. told him very decisively how
unbecoming such conduct was, and assured
him of nights lodging if he did not desist.
Topin, however, crossed the bridge and then
resumed his improper conduct, but only TO
fall prey to the iron grip of Mat, who
means business every time, and he was soon
a prison companion with Grower.
During the same evening Constable Eddy
also picked up an incapable Clevelander at
the corner of Front and State street, whom
he, with difficulty, likewise placed in "dur-
anoe vile" making q trio Of unfortunate ine-
briates amenable to the law. The three in
noceut birds thus remained in the "csge" till
about A. NJ, Sunday morning, when, in the
absence of the police, they succeeded IN break
ing open the prison door and escaped.
The next morning, Sunday, Free, who had
been placed in possession of information IL
regard to thief, who had eased Mr.. Shomo
of one or more pairs Of boots, kept his eye
open, and having business in the city early
on that morning, he drove over in buggy.
On Front street he saw man he tancled
answered the description of the thief he had
been informed about, but was not quite sure
He returned home, left his horse and buggy
and came back, when he was surprised to
meet the man he had locked up the previous
night for drunkenness. But having strong
er desire for felon than an Inebriate, he first
secured the man he had suspected, and took
him TO the lookup, and then returned for the
other. By this time he learned that the
lookup had been broken open, and the three
birds had flown. The individual last appre-
hended, named Jas. Mcguire alias Hawkins,
was left in the lookup, which Moore had
temporarily repaired, and on his way to the
East side Free was joined by Moore, the two
men bringing back the truant Topin. When
thev got on Croghan street, the first thing
thew witnessed was Mcguire again out of
dufance vile and strollipg quietly away by
the High School. OF course Moore gave him
chase and again secured him, and the two
fellows were taken TO the county jail. As to
the CleYelander inebriate, he made a success
full escape. The inebriates were afterward
summaTiiy disposed of, but Justice Tyler
made sure thing Of Mcguire by binding him
over to the Probate court
Aaain, on Tuesday evening, Constable Beck
vas on his way to the depot, and meeting
Jesse DWelle, who some time ago escaped af-
/ ter an osfense on the East side, be apprshsnd
ed him and he Was brought before the Mayor