The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-10-27
NEW YORK'S POLICE.
TIE MOUNTED HEROES WHO
DAILY RISK THEIR LIVES.

a OOmpdCC NOrpS w nose OSENACe6 are
Invaluable-The Squad at Drill-Very
Knowing Horses PatrollinR the
Fashionable Drives-How Runaways
are Caught-Chasing Fugitive Grim
insls--A Life Full Of Peril.
Copyright 1880
NEW YORK, Oct 26.-There is heavy
tramping of hoofs around a curve in the
road, and cloud of dust obscures the view
of High Bridge and hides the green hillside
on the eastern bank of the Hudson. Sud
denly, with a great catter, four lines of
horsemen dash past five abreast. They
are in true alignment, Notwithstanding
their headlong speed. In front rides a
veteran. and at a word from him the COM
mand checks its pace like one man, and
comes to halt, on little square in front
of the old picturesque-looking hotel that is
now used as the headquarters of the police
Of the Thirty-first Metropolitan precinct,
and the rendezvous Of the famous
Mounted Squad"
Although it Is hardly an hour past day
break, the blue-coared troopers are already
at morning drill. Sergt. William Revell,
the instructor, is an old army cavalryman,
and he puts them through the regular
course of military tactics. There is plenty
of room on the little square for these evolu-
tions, and the trained animals show remark
able intelligence. They wheel in single
formation, break and fall into tours, face
front and advance in single unbroken
line, 50 straight that you might run rope
across the square and be sure of touching
every horses nose with il. At the word
from the sergeant, men and horses sweep
past like a whirlwind, stopping at the
"Haltn almost instantly. Fright
about face" brings the whole
troop around with a swing that
reminds us of the trick horses in a circus,
heels and heads elevated an instant, while
the shining, silky skins reflect the sunlight,
as they describe the circhng motion in
obedience to the command. The "Atten-
ton" and the "Dismount" are the same as
in cavalry tactics. The fifteen minute
drill is followed by inspection, and then the
troop is ready for the duties of the day.
To strangers who visit the big city, and,
indeed, to many New Workers themselves,
the sight of mounted policeman is a
novelty. Yet the mounted squad is an i'm
portant element in the upper portion of the
metropolis. Organized in 1871, it consists
of thirty-five men, two sergeants, one SER
geant instructor and captain. Inspector
Alexander s. Williams, the most daring
police officer in New York, was its first
commander, and was succeeded by Capt.
Washburn. Its members are all young,
active and vigorous fellows, picked for the
service on account of their excellent horse
manship and fine athletic qualities. Their
salary is 81, 200 year, sergeants receiving
$4,000, and the captain 81, 500. Besides, it
is considered among the police a mark of
honor to be appointed to the corps, as its
members are exempt from any of the petty
duties that annoy the foot patrolmen and
have better chances of recognition and
promotion; for it is an organization where
courage, GOODNESS and strength are sure to
tell, sooner or later. The splendid young
fellows fully appreciate this and are ever
on the alert for some opportunity to dis
tinguish themselves. There is probably
no corps in the country, civic or military,
in which the spirit OF hearty emulation pre-
walls to such an extent as in the mounted
squad.
The squad is divided into two commands,
the regular and special patrols. The regu-
lar patrol is in two platoons. The special
mounted patrol consists of eleven men and
a roundsman. Its duty is a pleasant one
They are the finest looking men in the
corps and bear to it the same relation that
the gigantic Broadway squad does to the
regular police. They patrol the leading
promenades uptown, Fifth, Lenox, st.
Nicholas, and Jerome avenues, from
Seventy-second street to 10Th street. This
vast territory includes the most fashion
able quarter and all the drives that are
patronlzed by the upper ten." The blue
coated troopers ride in and out among the
liveried carriages, keep the roadways clear,
stop runaways and prevent fast driving,
and frequently have sharp brush after a
thief or a pickpocket. They skirt the edges
of the park and keep sharp lookout for
"mashers, - who would otherwise make life
a burden for many of the ladies who ride
out unescorted for an airing. 1t is one of
the funniest of sights to witness big po-
liceman warning off some stylishly dressed
flop who has persisted in following, either in
carriage or afoot, ladies with whom he has
no acquaintance
But such things are trivial incidents
alongside of the daily experiences of the
mounted squad. Hardly a day passes on
which half dozen runaways are not
caught by the officers, some of them at the
risk OF life. One of the bravest men 10 the
service is Sergt. Cannon, the hero Of half
hundred thrilling escapades. About 40
years of age, broad shouldered and bronzed,
he has been several times promoted for dis
tinguished courage, and has silver medals,
cups and parchment testimonials, testifytng
to his heroism, Like most of his fellows
Cannon is an exceedingly modest officer,
and dislikes to talk about his exploits.
1.-The pluckiest man in the corps" said
he, sis Officer Chris. Rabbit, who is now
laid up from injuries received while catch
ing a runaway team the other day on
Seventh avenue. He stopped the team, but
he took big risk, for it was going along at
breakneck speed. Rabbit, however, isn't
a man to be scared at anything, so he
dashed right in front of the wild horses,
just as he had done safely and successfully
to dozen teams before. His own horse
swerved bit, and, before he could extri-
cate himself, he was down with his horse
partly above him. 1t was narrow escape,
but he'll soon be around again all right.
81 don't think the question of risk enters
a mans mind so much when he's on horse
back, as when afoot," he continued. 81
remember once, on Jerome avenue, seeing
a team coming along at a terrible pace. j.
B. Ayers was seated in the wagon, and it
was clear that he had lost all control of the
horses. There were lots of people out driv
ing that day, which made runaway all the
more dangerous Inspector Thorne was on
the avenue, and so was Robert Bonner
with one of his fast turnouts. l started for
the team and, waiting till it swept by,
grabbed it and was instantly pitched head
long from my horse. But [ didn't let go.
Somehow l held on to the bride, and the
next thing | knew we were all down to-
gether in heap, horses, men and carriages.
Several people drew up and helped us out
Of the tangle, aud, although felt pretty
sOre I WASN'T seriouslV hurt. Stran0esL