The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-07-19
JAMES A, COYAE
The Kind Of a Policeman
the Second Leader in
"News" Popularity
Contest Is.
A NIGHT WITH HIM ON POST
He Was One Time a Famous Base
ball Pitcher, But Now Guards
Life and Property in
Jersey CITY.
A NIGHT WITH HIM ON POST

geabt, marched down the stone steps and
tie citizens who were settling down TO
their nights rest. About the first to
leave the ranks was James A. Coyne,
the second man in THE NEWS
gre at popularity contest. He patrols
Montgom cry street from Van Worst
street to Jersey ayeuue, and has one OF
the most responsible posts In the city.
After leaving the ranks Coyne started
up Montgomery street. There were still
a number of pedestrians on the street.
almost every one Of whom recognized the
popular officer and saluted him as he
passed alopg. peering into dark corners
for evil doers, and ascertaining If the
doors and windows OF the stores and
houses were properly fastened.
lt took considerable time to do this,
had made another journey around the
dial. Oue by one the lights in the upper
windows OF the houses 60 out. Met are
met at greater intervals and the sounds
of activity gradually grow less and less,
until they tluaily die away altogether
into an oppressive silence, occasionally
broken by the ghostly tiukie OF a distant
belated reveler Coyne goes up one side of
the street and Edowp the other in his
mouotouous watch falert for the first sign
of danger or evil doing. Suddenly in the
glare OF the eIecric light, he sees a sway
ing figure cling 10 the fence around Van
Worst square. Quickening his pace he
approaches and discovers the dirty rag
enveloped form and we'll known bloated
features of>Willis Weary
WILLIE WEARY'S GUEST
"Shay O2shifer,icp' hiccoughed Willie
as COyne approached. shay, wash er
want know ism dish park got entrance,
shayic?o
Coyne good naturedly replied that it
was popularly supposed to have an en-
trance, but that the gate was closed.
Dash her-ef note ic," continued Will
lie. giving lurch which threatened to
wreck his Uncertain equiIiorium. "'m
citizen Nj York ic dash wash er am went
In shieep in m'own park ic, am damn
shparrer cop ic ciuebed sou, outer me.
Shez ic shez I. .Fll fix yer damn sphar-
row cop ic zssh wash Lssz. III. so to
Jersey an shleep III park ic.' Now cau's
get in damn sham ic. Shay orsaifer
can't lend me dime for leshins shay can
yer?"
Coyne's reply was to thrsateu to lock
Willie up if ne did not leave Jersey in
four minutes. and then started him on
his way to the ferry. Willle's reeliug
form was still III sight when suddenly
there broke out on the still air dis
cordant noise in which could ba ais
cerned faint traces OF tune and these
words:
After the ball is over,
After the danclng's through,
Many heart is as hing
For an oyster stew.
At the same time number of men
laughing. shouting and gestculatlng
wildly, passed into the glare OF The cleo
tric light. Each was we'll known man
about town and in the morning would
be seen speeding down Montgomery
street in au electric car, soieunly read
ing Il paper With q dignity which would
make you think twice before you would
believe he was one of the bolsterous
group, which Coyne now had on his
napds. The policeman hurried toward
the rioters, and. with few words, sue
ceeded in quieting them aud sending
them to their homes.
He MEETS A THIEF.
Then he started again over his post.
AS he approaches the trees near Barrow
street, whose deep shade makes uncer-
tain the objects heheaUh them his quick
eye discerns figure closely hugging the
trunk as though .iesirious of escaping
observation.
In no way betraying that he had seen
the object Coyne sauntered across the
street and gradually approached the
figure. As ne drew near he sees that it
is that of man. The fellow has cap
pulled down over his eyes, and although
the weather is sultry his double breasted
jacket is butroned close to his chin aud
both hands are thrust deepinto its pockets
As Coyne stops in front OF the map the
latter glancessat him but says nothing.
There Is an air about the man which
would arouse distrust In anyone at any
time. but which to the experienced eye Of
the policeman at that time of the morn
ing and in that place denotes the GRIM
inal.
Where are you going.' asks Coyne.
Home replies the man sullenlY.
Where do you live," is the policeman's
next question.
I'm sussex street." comes the answer
SO sullenly this time that it is almost a
growl.
"Well, you get down to Sussex street
as quick as you can," says Coyne, "or
I'll lock you up."
The man mutters something and SLOWLY
shutfles away, but 5hs policeman follows
and keeps nm III sight until he sees MIN
turn down Van Worst street towards the
| The canal and thus no doubt some Mont
| gomery street residents yaluables are
safe for another night.
SKETCH OF POLICEMAN coYNE.
James A. Ceyne is New YORKER and
| one years ago. lie attended ths public
schools OF his native city until he passed
| through the prescribed course aud
| then went TO learn trade.
Dnring the time he was at
| school he always took a great interest in
| the national game aud sooa came te be
an efficient baseball player. While at
work he still kept up his interest in the
game and was one of the best pitchers of
his time.
| In those, the golden days of the ma
| tional game, before baseball had come co
be as much of science as 1T is now.
| when men played Dall without encasing
themselves In exaggerated liver pads.
giant boxing gloves and bird cages;
when the III curve and the
out curve and all kinds Of curves were
undreamed Of and the easy ..twister"
and the gentle. seductive ''eoaxer" were
the bette 1l0ire OF the business, Coyne
was looked upon ss n great pitcher.
| When the professional clubs were
organized Wappfngers Falls. n. Y.
placed the Actives Que Of the strongest
CLUBS of the kind in the field. Covne
was Its pitcher and captain ana Dan
Bronihers, now OF the Br0oklyus was the
1 catcher.
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