Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1880-10-19
A FOUR-FOOTED POLICEMAN.
BLACK JIM OF THE THIRrIETH STREET
PRECINCT
A MEMBER OF THE FORCE WHO NEVER
CARRBEs CLUE.

One morning last week, Policeman
Chapman of the Thirticth street police in
New York, tried the door of George w
Melville's jewelry store as usual, to see
that it was properly fastened. He was
accompanied by Niger Jim, the black
and tan dog of the Thirtieth street pre-.
cinct. The door was securely closed, and
Chapman was about to go on, when jim,
who stood by, barked loudly, and by his
actions called Chapman's attention to the
lower part of the door The front doors
in this store are made with two panels,
one above very long, one below nearly
square. They are both of glass. Jim
called attention to the fact that the lower
panel in one of the doors, almost level
with the threshold, had been entirely re-
moved. In the gray light of the early
morning the absence of the clear glass
was not noticed. At word from Chap
man Jim went through the panel which
was hardly large enough TO admit good
sized man, ran around the store, barked
loudly, and came out shifting quietly.
The policeman knew that there was no
one in the store by Jim's actions, but he
raped for assistance, and the door was
opened. Investigation showed that
thieves had removed the entire pane Of
glass from the panel, and had carried off
about $3.50 worth of cheap jewelry and
small clocks that had not been locked in
the safes.
This is not the first time that Niger
Jim has proved himself very vigilant
member Of the New York police force.
Where he was born no one knows but
one day, five years ago, as policeman
William b. Wilson of the Thirtieth
street police was walking 10 the station
from the Fourth avenue street-car tunnel,
a hungry looking. half-grown puppy fol-
lowed him, sneaking close behind his
heels until the station was reached. The
station thencefor,h became his home
He was not welcomed to it, though. All
the policemen. from the Captain to the
doorman, tried to drive him away. He
wouldn't stay away. He hung around.
He waited outside for the men to appear,
and followed them to their posts. He
showed decided preference for the men
of the first platoon, and its individual
members-Wilson, Chapman, Evans. and
Shaw. BY and by the men began to pet
him little. His life became more pleas
ant. He was permitted to enter the sta
ton, to warm himself by the stove in the
back room. His ribs after time disap-
peared, his coat became smooth and glossy.
He became very goodlooking dog. He
was entirely black, save tan-colored legs
and tan dots over his bright black eyes,
and the men named him Niger Jim.
When the first platoon turns out Jim goes
with it, regardless of weather. He goes
on post with either Wilson, Evans, Shaw
or Chapman, and remains on duty SIX
hours. He does not always remain with
one man all this time, but visits the others.
He knows their posts as well as they do,
and if he should by any possibility not be
on hand when the platoon turns out he
goes on post as soon as he returns to the
station and finds that the men are out.
He has done more than one commend
able bit of police duty. A year ago a
man committed an assault in Seventh.
avenue near Thirtieth street. jim heard
the noise, and before a policeman could
be detailed he darted into the street and
captured the offender as he was running
through Thirtieth street. Jim is not a
large dog, but he is plucky and has good
grip. His plan is to catch his man by
the ankle. When he gets good hold,
kicking and pounding are useless. He
hangs on until relieved by some Of his
two footed companions.
On another occasion a tramp ordered
an oyster stew in Sixth avenue saloon
and departed without paying for it. He
ran down the avenue pursued BY waiter.
Jim joined in the chase, captured his
man, and held him until policeman Evans
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