The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-03-21
FRANCIS C. sPEIGHT.
An Unsuiiied Record Of More than Thirty
Years of FearIessness In Police Duty.

Police Inspector Francis G. Spelght died
street and the Boulevard. Of pneumonia. He
was born Of English parents near Ithaca. N Y.
In which place he learned the trade Of black
smith. lie came to New York when he was
about twenty-five years of age. With n splendid
physique he had n prediction for athletic OK
erclses. and in these he formed large ac-
quaintance among sporting men. and through
thcm he was led to abandon the forge and open
public house. He was then known as ono Of
the most skilful wrestlers in the city. and no
English athlete was conceded TO have seen tho
boxing skill Of the city until he had met Frank
Spotlight. IIc gave many exhibitions in public
halls. and once fought In twenty-four foot
ring on Wcchawken Heights. His opponent.
Abe Vanderzoc. won, as his immense endur-
ance enabled him to take the punishment Of
Speight's lightning blows in the first of the
fight and oyermatch him after he had become
exhausted. Speight retained his skill in a re-
markablc degree in later years. aud 1t IL only q
short time since he threw one Of the largest and
strongest Captains in the force TO the tesselatcd
floor of the corridor of the Police Central Ofice.
,,Speight. having taken an active part in the
Harrison canvass. was appointed n policeman
III the Fifteenth Ward, in 1915. by Alderman
james u. Oliver OF the ward, the Aldermen ut
that time holding the appointing in conjunction
with the Assistant Aldermen and the Assessors.
subject 10 the confirmation OF the Mayor.
Spcights appointment was conllrmnd by Mayor
lluVemeycr "Speight." said the Mayor when
the applicant for n position us guardian of tho
peace appeared before him. what would You
do If were to cilll you Harp would knock
YOU down. sir. promptly r"nlied the applicant.
The appointment was confirmed on the spot.
Spcight WIZ soon attefward appointed Lieutrn-
ant. and at the expiration OF his two years term
Tie Gust m House In 1854 he returned TO tho
police force aud was made Captain 10y Com
the first Board of Commissioners. with power
over N force Of the entire elty. he was sent to
a part Of the old Eighteenth, He served
nit"rwUrd IN the Iwenly-iirst. Twenty ninth,
Precincts. und asCaptain Of the llarhgr Police.
Re WIS appointed Inspector Aug. II. 1874, whilo
CAPTAIN of the Carmansyillc police; and after
ilat Doc WIS comnnnding officer Of the Fourth
Tie Central Onirc. H. was so III on the morn
IN, OF til" 18th that he had to go home.
Inspector Sprghts fcarlessness made him
popular c9mmandcr. whom men were ever
d,rs he and his men made themselves felt.
Lhcrn wns a lump IN spcshti iorehead which
encounter, he had some years ago with II
nunber Of local patriots az a primary election.
then Captain Of tho Twenty ninth Precinct.
made his command 50 well nigh inyincible
that the, cry Of Make way for the Twenty;
upon which the rioters instantly dispersed.
IN" death Of Inspector Speight was reported
! Yesterday and the board Immediately passed
! resolutions of respect for the Inspector and
! sympathy with his family. and ordered the SUI
| prrintcndent 10 provide an appropriate escort
for the funeral. which they viii attend in per-
som
The chief officers Of the force met in the Po-
! lice Central Onlcc Yesterday AFTERNOON. super
! intendcnt Walling in the chair. Inspector
nlk- and Capi-. Bennett, Ward. Carry, and
! Petty reported resolutions expressive Of the
-en-e OF the force, and committees were mp
pointed to provide floral tributes and music for
the ol,-"luics All the police flags were AT half
mast yesterday. The committee contemplate "a
service at II \. VI. on Friday in the Little
I Church Round the Corner procession of u
battalion of police. and interment III the Come
| t'ry OF tho ENcrsreHn-.
inspector Spotlight was in the esd year of his
age His form had lecOmc bent. and he had
lost greatly in weight. He has lott widow and
| two dnulhtnrs.