Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1892-01-23

Such was the place and such the owner.
Commissioners Hart and Catlin selected
this place as being the best suitable for a
small reporting station as was first the in
tention of establishing.
This was a mistake as after events
proved, the station afterwards being re-
peatedly altered. The building was started
in the spring of 1882 and though the work
being now and then delayed was not COM
pleted until the last of the year. The en-
tire cost of the building was somewhere
over $12, 900, the mason work being done
by Bates & Townsend and the woodward
by W. A. Lincoln.
On the first of January, 1883, the Grand
avenue precinct was opened with force
consisting of Captain Peter Sheridan, Lieu
tenant William O'Keefe, Sergeant William
K. Schmidt, Roundsman Driscoll Doorman
Luby and Officer Stokes, Higgins, McCar-
thy, Patrick Reilly, Flannery, Murphy,
Hart, Langley, Gerard, McGrath, Lough-
lin, McKeon, Dennehy, Rhodes, Schroeder,
Cannon, Merwin, Clyne, Jackson, Clancy,
McAvoy, Melia, Shanahan, Farrell, Nc
Govern.
From that day the district began to i'm
prove, slowly but surely, until every gang
more peaceable section of any city for the
number of itsishabitants.
On the eleventh of November, 1883,
Captain Sheridan resigned and Lieutenant
O'Keefe was in charge until the first of
| January, 1884, when Treadwell Smith was
| promoted from first ieutenancy to cap.
taincy and took charge of the station.
Lieutenant O'Keefe was made first lieu
| tenant and transferred to the headquar
ters.
| Sergeant James Wrinn was made second
lieutenant and detailed at the precinct.
This was an inconvenience to both lieu
tenants as they were both far removed
from their separate homes. A change wal
soon agreed upon and Lieutenant OKeefe
went to the:.precinct and Lieutenant Wrin1
to the headquarters, Lieutenant O'Keef.
retaining the position of first lieutenant.
Captain Smith was success from thu
start. A good disciplinarian, still quie
and unobtrusive, cautious in judgment
but quick in action, he had a model pre-
cinct in less than six months. How vel
his services were appreciated is shown b.
the position he now holds-that of super
intendent of the entire force.
The first man arrested at this station
was John Burns, good-natured fellow
who had made too many New Years CALL
Tom Mccarthy made the arrest, and tn
station is yet often referred to as tn,
Burns Mccarthy hotel. Poor Burns reall,
felt bad over his notoriety, and each joeu
lar visitor added more to his discomfort b,
inquiries as to the hotel fare.
In 1886 the barn was built and equipped
with a wagon and one horse. Henry Pc
ronto was made regular night driver, ant
any officer who was in or near the plac
drove during the day. 1t continue.
this way for few years unit
Bernard J. Reilly was appointed driver
He and Poronto would change off as in tn
central station. one month nights and on
month days. About one year after Refill!
Edward Lawler was called in to fill tn
vacancy. He was kept here until las
| Tuesday night, when he was made regu
lar patrolman and was succeeded by Johl
F. Kendall. The Brewer & Smith signs
system was adopted when the barn wa
built, and has given good service since.
When the Stations and 4 were estat
lished number of patrolmen were adde'
to the force, and the Offices of ieutenan
and roundsman abolished. A number c
sergeants were appointed, among ther
being Patrolmen John MeGrath an
Stephen McGann, who are now at the stt
ton. Shortly after this Superintendent
Bollman resigned and the choice of til
commissioners fell upon Captain Tread
well Smith. Lieutenant O'Keefe becam
captain and Sergeant Albert Bradley wa
placed on the desk at night.
Since the station was established the 81
rests averaged $50 a month.
Lodgers were received up to April
1883, when the custom was abolished
They averaged about 100 a month. Th
abolition accomplished some good result
inasmuch as it shut up a place of refug
1 f1. Aro, 1,r,f
a ignorant of the usage still apply and hav
: | to be turned away without any comfor
unless the Officer in charge gives him th
price of lodging for the night, thing
n by the way, that is often done by Sergear
Mcbride Of the headquarters, who is gel
erous to fault.
). Of the men who were originally at tt
precinct Officers Higgins, Stokes, Patric
Reilly, Flannery, Hart, McGrath, Mex
d on, Dennehy, Rhodes, Schroeder, Clyne
T jackson, Clancy, McAvoy, Shannahal
; Farrell and HcGovern. McGrath is now
r sergeant. Captain William O'Keefe, VII
= is now in charge of the station, was al
pointed pstrolman December 81, 1877
8 served in the capacity until Novembe
q 1881, when he was made roundsman; G
served in that position until September
1891, when he became captain, which pos
+ ton he now holds. He wears three servit
}, stripes, and at the end of this year he wi
be entitled to another. Sergeant Abe
Bradley was appointed patrolman Marc
10, 1872, and promoted to the position
sergeant in 1884. He wears three stripe
having been in the service fifteen year
Sergeant McGrath was made patrolns
Q at the same time, and was made sergear
Mareh1, 1891. He also wears three stripe
2 Sergeant NcGrath Is the youngest of Il
sergeant in years and In service. he vi
a appointed patrolman July, 1884, and MAJ
Q sergeant March 1, 1891. He Is entitle
. to one service stripe.-, N
The station has had one great chang
that being the enlargement of the patro
mems quarter The lookup originally toe
up half of the building, the roof maxim
its ceiling. A few years ago the uppt
: part of this was cut off and floor lai
! even with the second story. This made
: large addition to the patrolmen's quarter
: served to make them very roomy and con
!, Portable.
The present officers are: Captain O'Keeft
|. Sergeants Bradley, McGrsth and McGanr
PstTolmen Stokes, Hart, Shsnnshsn, Jsol