New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-03-21
INSPECTOR THORNE'S DEATH
A wELL-KNowN POLICE FIGURE GONE.
TAKEN SUDDENLY Ill IN THE srREET-Hs ACTIVE
AND ENERGETIC CAREER ON THE FORCE.

Inspector Thomas w. Thorne was flashed over the De-
partment wires about yesterday and caused gen.
surprise and regret Inspector Thorne was on duty
at Police Headquarters Friday night and appeared to
be In good health. He joval and talkatve as
usual before he went to bed the third floor Of the
building at midnight He and dressed himself
briskly att a. m, and after bidding Doorman Common
CHEEKY good morning went to his home, at No. 223
west Fourteenthst, to take breakfast with his WIFE,
About he appeared at his Office in Twenty-ninth
st. and worked at his desk for nearly two hours Then
he started to walk to the Twenty ninth Precinct
Police Station At Broadway and Twenty-ninthst. he
suddenly became Ill and leaned for few moments against
railing In front Of Lndo's jcwery store His appear
attracted the attention of Isaac ndo, who invited
him into the store and seated him In
chair. The Inspector was pale and trembling. He
asked for a smuant, which was given to him. Dr.
Hunt, Of No. 1903 Broadway, summoned and
thought he recognized symptoms OF apopexy The In
spect0r carried folding bed in the OF tho
store and word Of mis- illness sent to the Thirteth
ST. station Sergeant westervelt ran to the jewelry
store and found tho Inspector still conscious.
would you like to have your wife brought hero r he
inquired.
Yes was the feeble response.
Westervelt drove Foureenth-st rapidly rs posi-
bio and returned with Mrs. Thorne but the Inspector
was dead before his wife reached the store His death
occurred at 1l20 q. m, and probably caused Dr.
Hunt sad by fatty degeneration Of the heart Thorne
who was still suffering from recent operation to re-
move tumor from her shoulder Frustrated so much
her husbands death that 1t necessary to carry her
back home and place her In bed Immediately Her nus
bands body followed her to the house. Within half
hour all the flags OF the Police Department were at
hafmast and order had been given for meeting OF
the remaining Inspectors and the Captains OF the force
In the superintendent Office to-day to make funeral ar
rangemens The Board Of Police decided not to hold
meeting yesterday on account OF the Inspectors death
A special meeting Of tho Board will BIO held to-day.
Mr. Thorne had been prominent figure In the Police
Department for many years. and was known to men OF
ali classes In the city hearty enjoyment of Joke I'M
der all circumstances and his nexhaustbe store OF anec
dotes made him fayorite everywhere. In person he
short and extremely stout, with ruddy complexion
clean shaver face and flashing black eyes. He had
black hair lately turning to gray with
bald spot the top Of his head. when
he laughed his entire body shook while his face beamed
with boysh expression He was born on farm near
Newburg on June 90. 1923, aud apprenticed to
ship carpenter in Newburg ut an early age Later ne
learned the carpenters trade and hepedto build pum
Der OF houses still standing In his native place. AS soon
he twentyone OF age he came to this city
and worked In n shipyard on the east side until he
Joined the old Municipal police force rs patroman IN
1851. lie served under Captain Thomas steers IN the
Thirteenth Precinct and was the first man to weara
complete police uniform Before that the uniforms con-
sisted only OF hats and blouses, aud there was strong
opposition among members OF the force when the Police
Board gave orders that all members should wear new
| uniforms complete They declared that the Board
wished TO dress them la livery which would degrade
| them Mr. Thorne purchased uniform and wore It
| about for the other men 10 look at saying:
Rows this uniform isn't bad looking after ALL"
He appearcd 40 wen in Il that the others hastencd to
follow his example. when the Metropolitan Department
established. in 1897. Mr. Ihorle was promoted 70
| Rebellion superintendent Kennedy placed sergeant
Thorhe In command oil the ssyshtn Ire
that a weasel was making ready TO sail from an hast
Thorne 10 dctan the vessel pending an investigation.
Tho owner. OF the ship protested loudly when Thorne
700" 700 Snt me- ot AN order from the superintendent
Under whose authority do you presume to seize this
| vessel e. one OF the owners demanded angriy a,
GO aud ask superintendent OF Police was the
Aud what II superintendent Kennedy tells you 10
"rhcn she'll go to the bottom of the river in u
Tnsrn.' er: repeated 20 ate TO MT kS1
cnrs ssisfaston what the errand OF the ship was He
serw'r eomPimented the ss,inscIpt ain .,
tain aud placed IN command q the CITY Hall squad lie
force OF under him and was exceedingly brave gal
Ian. aud energetic Whom the rioters attempted 10 burn
| rom waI.st with his force. through Nassau-st. At
sight Of the mob he turned to his men ana shouted
iii every head you in front OF you" lie acted
with great promptness and energy, made desperate
charge upon The rioters and r'pused nen az b ts
when but for his bodness and dash they might nave
before the close Of the War Captain Thorne was placed
Nh. m. Wotrr a. dive. were infested by thieves and
danseTous re aI Kent mp his record as
a1Ser and drove many Of the worst ruans from the
Aog sSe hS S: oss S@iTSs %
Apr 1872 he was made Inspector OF Police In place OF
| Inspeetor Jameson. who dismissed law Great;
,ng a snperlntendent OF street Cleaning was passed
about the same time and May 81, 1872. Mr. Thornc
resigned his position a. Inspector 10 peoomo o"Pi'"
The law was changed again early in the following
wear compelling the Police Commssloners TO place inc
Iurean I'm charge Of a member OF tho force As they
wished to keep Mr. Thorne In charge sney
on the same day February H. 1873 His place AZ inspector
had been e hut ia UNIV following the Commissioners
succeeded In getting aw PSs% obtained his rank as
ON october l. 1875 the Board of Police awarded hon
nd ability in the ease of the murder OF Abraham Wcis
burg" Tho Inspector had charge OF lne 2g
Ter had been robbed and murdered by three negroes IN
the xed district. Owing largely 10 inc Pnn5
efforts the murdercrs were caught they were hhngcu
together afterwar at the Tombs Inc inspeoeor wa"
placed In charge OF the First INSPECTION % rsng
ments at the Tombs on that OCCASION lo nj y. 49,,
The district until the appointment Of he he was trans
| Upon the death OF Inspector McDermott the
Thrd and Fourth Districts were consolidated and
year later Inspector Thorno was paeea ~ M The west
sIe OF the ety below Forty secondst. He was Acting
superintendent during tho absence OF MI; anv suisse
ouent occasions. He called out the reserves, no H.
cautionary measure this occasion OF mass @
at Cooper Union after the riot III CINCINNATI yu
ago and when his action criticised ai'er"u 10 I'LL
| necessary he said ,,., c,s, g., oo,ica
1.-THE public safety must be consldereu h,se ~ p
bu.ness liz costs the city nothing when the reserves
are called ont and a riot will find the ponce uh
| prepared when am In command .,,au oooor
| Inspector Thorne's faults as Po.u ro ,o,rard
| were In the limo OF too great ieniony nor,tina
| tho men under him. but his steFnnG qu n ths
Department was moro generally loved nnu @
and he managed to have his w. ~ Do
10 harshness His recent appearance III lne .Ilai VI
lice Captain williams and the attacks upon MS ON anu
ING s an officer are too fresh the public MIND 10 need
rcnsttion The action OF the Board OF Police III SUSTAIN
Inc the Capan prev ente any further trouble ior the In
| sn7c,or feeiinp by the