The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-10-11

me city OF Roanoke has grown so
rapidly in population and Importance
in the past eight years that even its.
own citizens can not appreciate the
changes constantly taking place. 1t is
already evident that the courthouse is
too small and that the Jail ought to be
enlarged. The Council, at its late
meeting, wisely took all these matters
under advisement, and in connection
Herewith has decided to increase the
pay of the police force of the city.
From two men, in 1882, the force has
Increased to twelve regulars and nine
extras. Then there were only two men
on duty-C. w. Thomas, our present
city treasurer, being city sergeant and
ham as his assistant. He held the Of
flee till 1884, when the duties of SER
geant compelled him to resign the posi-
ton of chief of police. Mr.. Traynham
was thcn appointed chief, and after
holding the position for nearly a wear a
change OF city administration put Lewis
Obermeyer in the position. lie was
chief fer about ten months. when e. :.
cNamee was appointed to the posi-
ton. Mr.. McNamee. after holding the
place for while, gave way to Mr..
Iraynham, who in turn was succeeded
by Mr.. w. r. puryear.
Mr.. Thomas Nj. Kennedy was next
appointed to the position. and filled it
with much energy and efficiency till he
resigned. after - service of about eigh-
teen months. Officer A. NJ. Jones was
then appointed. and served nearly a
year, when he resigned. NJ. c. Morris,
who had already been member of the
police force for about five years. with
brief intcrmissions, was then appointed
chief of police of the city of Roanoke,
which position he still occupies.
as the history of every city is init
mately interviewer with the guardians of
law and order, as we'll as those who la
bor for its moral and material develop
ment, it may not be amiss to give a
brief sketch of the men who watch over
our people when they sleep, and hold for
the time being, as it were, their desti-
MES in the hollows of their hands.
AS body, there are now twelve men
regularly employed, including the chief
of police, and nine as extra policemen,
to keep order in the city. In order that
our readers may know the character of
the men who guard and have guarded
their interests, few brief biographical
connection: Mr.. c. w. Morris, the
first chief of police, and now treas
urer of this city, as already remarked,
had trying position before him. The
elements were lawless to q great extent,
but he was as firm and fearless in the
discharge of his duties as he is affable
and kind to all who deserve such treat
ment. Mr.. Thomas was born in Mont
gomery county on the 10th of June 1853,
and came to Roanoke June 9, 1879 when
many Big Licks had to be hit by it's en-
terprising citizens before it emerged
from its chrysalis as Roanoke. the Magic
City of the Southwest He first served
as n clerk here, but when the police
force was organized his eminent fitness
as chief was so evident thathe was APP
pointed to the position. lie served so
! ciiicently and was so popular that no
office in the gift of the people to which
he aspired was denied him, hence he
was promoted from chief of police to
city sergeant and finally, last May,
clectcdN treasurer by large majority.
MIR, Thomas is6 feet 81 inches in
height and weighs 100 pounds. His
features are clear cut, his hair light and
i'll his blue-grey eyes there is that ex-
preston of the mildncss and deter
mination which has won him his we'll
deserved popularity.
Mr.. J. Is. Traynham, the successor of
Mr.. Thomas and now sergeant of the
city, is an cxConfederate soldier.who
record as city officer has sustained his
hard-earned laurels in the late civil
war lie is six feet two inches high
with steel-grey eyes and weighs 3IO
pounds. He was born in Halifax county
June Goth, 1912. He is thorough in ali
he undertakes and evil-doers know him
and fear him.
When Chiefs of Police Thomas and
Traynham were the head officers times
were often perilous. They met the enc
mics of the law with full front Officer
Morris was member of the force at
that time, and Mr.. Thomas was cnthu-
siastic over his devotion to duty and his
courage as man. AS to Chief Trayn-
ham his courage had often been tried on
the battlefields of the late war. Mr..
Thomas wonderful calmness and con-
troll over men was peculiarly shown
while he was serving as chief. A de-
mentcd man had terroriZed the town.
He went around brandishing a danger
Gus looking knife, which he threatened
to use on any man who approached him.
This fact was hurriedly reported to Mr..
Thomas, then chief of police. The chief
raised himself coolly and collectedly
from his seat.
where is the man." said he.
He was told, and on Commerce street.
near Campbell, he met the lunatic.
Without ting second he walked
up to him and placing his hand on his
shoulder said in the gentlest of tones.
Come with me-
Il H.. p,u p.t