The New York herald., 1877-07-26
OBITUARY.
GEORGE WASHINGTON MArsrLL.

experiences than George W. Matseli the exChIef and
sxPresdent OF the police force Of this city For tbs
last three years he suffered from injury 10
ono OF his feet, resulting IRON the jumping street
car platform OF a heavy man, who landed with full
weight upon his toes. Inflammation followed, and
more than surgical operation found necessary
to afford relief. Broken bones were discharged from
the wound ligaments were to 10 ruptured, and,
altogether, dangerous condition existed Il affected
and weakened his constitution. Under careful mcd-
cal treatment, however, he somewhat recuperated,
and everything seemed to DO promising well when, 10
unucky moment, tho old veteran stepped on some
broken glass; which again brased the partially healed
surface, and brought him to bed. Gangrene set IN,
and the surgeons found It necessary amputate two
or three OF his toes. But they could not ar
rest the insidious growth OF the disease. II
crept on, reaching from hbrc to nbre until
tho tissues OF the entire limb wore involved
in the process Of destruction consultation
Of the best m ,dca talent was had and all that ned-
cal science could suggest considered but the de-
bated condition OF the old chief and the great risk
attending the operation OF amputating tho limb, which
the last resort induced the doctors 10 refrain from
the experiment and take the responsibility OF another
human lie upon their shoulders He died peacefully
At hts residence, No 230 East Ftyeghth street, yes
terday ~ seven O'Clock A. NJ
LIFE or THE TX CHIEF.
Mr.. Mntsoll was born in England Ia tho year 1900
aud consequently was about seventy one years old.
Ho this country whom years Of age, aud bis
father several years bookstore Of
Theatre. Young Mascli himself entered book
sellers establishment and acquiring know edge OF the
business alter lew years owned OF his own on
the corner Of Pearl aud Chatham streets. Here
he was thrown into tho companlonship Of
ganizaton speedily stepped 10 the front His
inarence being demonstrated IN tho management
oil local Affairs he eventually. In 1884, under the
Mayoralty oil James W. Harper, elected Justice Of
Police Court Up to this time the poce iorco OF The
sisted Of probably less than ihrce hundred and Dfty
men, without leadership, responsibility, cooperative
intelligence ability TO cape with the increasing evils
of metropolitan e. During the year, however, the
pal Police act passed by the city authors.
ties ana william Havemeyer, bong cected Mayor,
ominuted Mr. Matsel as the chief, who was at once
confirmed by both Boards OF Aldermen. He served IN
this capacity for twelve years. during which he passed
through many important experiences, among which
may DO cited the Astor place riots volunteer uremcn's
mobs and election disturbances. From lS45 TO 1888
the patromen OF inc police iorce were APPOINTED oy
dcmorallzcd under tins syse ON, tho Legislature inter-
fered, and the Mayor Recorder aud CITY Judge were
maic commission to examine candidates for the
position.
In 1857 another amendment made Tho state
Legislature passed what known the MctropoL
Police ACT which consolidated the police depart
ments OF the counties of New York, Kings, Richmond
and Westminster, under tho rule OF Messrs. simeon
Draper, James Bowen, j. 3. 1. Stranahan, James Nye
and Jacob ). Choiwel. This lsgslaton however, was
satisfactory nclher to tho existing Mayor Mr. Fer
raudo WOODY or TO Chief Matseli. Tho first beiev Il
BE- unconstitutional, because interfering with mu-
ncpa IrerOgatives and the latter let bound to obey
the orders oi his superior officer conflict with tho
State authorities resulted. large proportion Of Tho
old force sympath with the stand thus taKen and
refused to oooy the orders OF tho Police
Commissioners Mayor Wood applied Tor pcrma.
nenl injunetion TO- prevsn. tho new new Commissioners
the injunction. test case Was then carried
to the supreme Court which affirmed that the law
constitutional Mayor Wood then applied 10 the
Court OF Appeals While the case was beng con-
sidered by the last named Court Mayor Wood came ~
conf CT with tue State authorities In matter which
was irrelevant to the ponce complication, 0ut which,
the bloody circumstances attending It's decsOns
materially influenced The opinion OF tho people as q
the wisdom OF has resistance. The Street Commits
sioner, Mr. Taylor, died. and Governor King up.
pointed Dauiel d. Conover TO tue vacant office Mayor
Wood thought that the appointment belonged 10 na
office, and ordered Deputy Commissioner Turner "a
hod The department Mr.. Conovcr, upon attempting
the street Commia soner's Office on the morn
ing OF Juue 49, 1887, eJectcd by tho policemen,
VINO recognized Mayor Wood as still having authority
FURTHER COMPLICATIONS.
Mr. CoHover at once appeared before Judge Hoffman,
OF Ihe superior Court and obtained warrant ior tns
or Mayor Wood u charge oi assault and pat
terry. During the same hour X cord.r Smith also
ISSUED warrant Tor tue arrest OF Mayor Wood, charg.
ing him with inctiDg riot The wal rant IN the cvil
gwen Coroner Perry TO serve lie being the
only officer OF the city goverpnent VINO coui LEGALLY
OF the MeropolI,an Ponce, was gwen tic Recoracrs
warrant AT the moment when the warrants wero
issued the interior OF tue CITY Hall was n'ied WIN
pal police, iully $40 In NUMBER under tho COM
mand OF Cnief MatseiL Captain Waiiing, now super
inlendeut Waing, upon receiving tue Recorders war
rant, at once entered the CITY Hall, passed through
the ranks Of the police and entered Mayor Woods
Office. Mayor ood refused 70 recognize the authority
OF Capiuin Walling make an arrest Captain Wal
ling then left the building and gave the warrant 70
Sheriff WilietL Meanwhile Coroner Perry had en-
deavored to servo the warrant Ia mo cvli case; oas
refused sdntance, and was cJected from inc ou'dina
by the police.
A disgraceful row followed. squad OF nifty meH
was obtained as guard to Coroner Perry wae be az
rested The Mayor. They attempted to enter tue City
Hall by OF tho doors ON Caalnbers street ani were
met by overwhelming Iorce of the old munIclpalA
For Voment, but only ior moment, club mel club,
anu ien wreck cleared away "A score or more
the weaker party were ouuL win broken heads and
limbs The rest were put 10 fight a lew OF mo un.
fortunate sufferers that occasion arc said 10 hold
positions present iorcc, but perform lis ghtcst
Hearing of this anure 10 make the required
arrest Recorder Smnh then calied Major General
SANFORD military assistance, aud, as SO happe ned,
the Seventh regiment were tnen marching down
Broadway en- route to Bostoa rncy we're oruered into
tue City Hall Park took possession and swept away the
crowd Awaiting hms II OF the couuron Coroner Perry
entered The Mayors Office, served the clv warrant and
was quickly followed by Snerin Wnlet VINO aso served
the civil warrant Tue zw viuoicated the Seventh
resumed It's march, aud for the menoUt peace again
reigncd The Metropolitan Com mIsslonefs ON the ie-
lowing day ordered Chiei Malscii to appear before
them ut the new Poice Headquarters, aud upon his
dsobeying tho new order he was tried or tho offence
and dismissed the department. The Commlssioners
then appointed Frederick W. Tallmadgc Superncnd-
ent oil Ponce. Mayor Wood subsequently stated that
in all that Mr. Mase did during tpat Trying lime no
nc ed under the orders OF his superiors aud cannot
therefore, bc blamed his conducts The act creating
tae Metropolitan Police was ncld to be unconstiiu-
tionaI by many good lawyers, who others who were
equally able deemed It con Institutional
PUBLIC LIE
Mr. MaiseiL be.pg thus deposed purchased farm IN
Iowa, wnch Is stI the properly OF the family and ior
while engaged IN agricultural pursuits he likewise
elf with the prorricorship oil the Police
Gasette. When Chief oil Police no also busied him
collatug the Slang phrases used by tnievcs and
cracksmen, which wee puDlisnco in oook cAiaeo
''The Thieves Lexicon"
MS LATER SERVICES.
When William h. Haveinever was reelected one
Of his early to point Mr. Matse The Su-
perintenoent the police orce. This the 23d
May, 1878, his immediate predcce ssor teng James
g. Kclso. On the removal OF hessD. Chariick and
Gardener in July, 1874, he appointed Police Com
missioner and days nfcrward elected Prcs.
of tho b ,ard, In winch of1cs he remained until
the 3lst OF December, 1915, whom Comm ssioncr Dis
becker aud himself gave way to Mcssrs. Erhardt and
Wheeler, with General william f. smith Ia the Presi-
dcnLs char. since that time Mr. Matsell amused HIM
sell N quiet way by prsctislng law and Givag advice
criminal cases, where his large experience was fro-
quenty found 10 be CT value.