The evening world., 1895-05-27
CHIEF BYRNEs's RECORD.
Arrestins the Manhattan Bnnk Rob.
hers Made his Reputation.


-
Arrestins the Manhattan Bnnk Rob-
hers Made his Reputation.
Thomas Byrnes was born in ireland In
July. 1872 lie was appointed to the
police force Dec. 10. 1853 lie had a,
that time Just come home from the war
where Re had served in the Ellsworth
Zouavea. In which company was also
william Murray. whom he succeeded as
Superintendent Of Police
Byrnes did h., FIRST police duty In the
Fifteenth Precinct. In that precinct
he was destined afterwards to do his
greatest work as detective and win
for himself a fame that contributed to
his promotion.
For nve years he was a patrolman.
Then he became roundsman. and In the
following year. 1862 sergeant. On July
|. 1870 he vas made captain. and as
signed to the Twenty-third Precinct.
He served in turn IL the Twenty
third. Twenty-nrst and Fifteenth Pre-
circts and o, the Broadway Squad
Then he " ent back to the Fifteenth and
did not leave the Mercer street station
house until ne va, Vas called to to-, Head, d;
the detective force.
The Immediate cause of that promotion
was bis successful campaign against l.s ths
roSsea SS5sdr; the WI Manha,,ah me savass Bank % Of
g. OOO, ,OO0 The bank was In Byrnes's
precinct, and ne took up, the pursuit Of
the band nd OF hprssrs crnlv With such persist
The band was broken up. run to earth
or scattered. Most OF Its members were
sent to prison for long terms. So con-
elusive was the victory over lawless-
ness OF that form that no bank safe IN
New Yorf has ever since been cracked.
Reorxnnised the Detectives.
To Byrnes was given the task of re-
organizing the detective force. then a
troop OF broken down policemen. who
worked. II they worked at all, without
shns or poHse in Wa Resan ssree s on se
day OF his appointment, and by max ing
Fulton street the, dead line against
allowed. II one ventured near the fnsn.
cial centre he was arrested on general
Wall street has been safe since from
II brought Byrnes his reward. too He
testified before the Lexow. Committee
IT.. h, had brought him cool $3.50 600 a,
as h BY "dS%fa GSuS and Sappafhtaa'e' po'hsrs afforded
twenty one OF the twenty-eight detec-
yss sn h he Ssn foSnd niss there ard md put oths.
staff, when he he'd remodelled it and
made Of It an efficient body, numbered
! forty men with the rank OF sergeant.
He himself had been made Inspector In
| order to give him authority in the pre-
ctncts.
His ambition reached out for sweep
put under his rule at one time. but the
police system was not elastic enough
to let him have the desired free play
with these, and that part Of the plan
was dropped.
Then His Troubles Began.
On April IL, 1872. he succeeded Murray
as sugsrinte!ndent. ana his troubles be be
perintendent did not get a.ong with the
| Comm.ssioners Of Police. He wanted tc
be the head Of the Police Department ir
sup; Byrnes appeared before the Lex
ow Committee on Saturday, Dec. 20. anC
\ as a climax to many sensations he an
nounced his willingness to retire from
letter he hal written to Mayor-elec
| Strong.
Ills letter to Mnyor-Elect Strorg
Police Headquarters 800 Mulberry street,
CO.. W. l.. Strong
the tremendous responsibility thst will come upo
you When you assume the duties of Mayor. an,
| undertake. the reform OF the various dcpa Mt
OF the city government.
| I desire not to he an obstacle or an cmbarrass
ment to you In snythins that YOU may propose Il
| do with the Police Department. On the con,rsr
! l wish to nii you In any way | can
| | assume that you are nov considering what ac
tion yuu ought to take at the Quite; Of your nd
, ministratios and wha' legislation Will be require
| to make such action practical.
| I therefore now pace In your hands my reques
, to be retired from the pos. OF Superintendent 4
be used by yoa or not at any time after the Is
| Of January, ns you see ht
urely free to command my services advice an
| information al any time In regard to the affair
OF the Police Department, with which have bee
! 50 long connected ioar ohc lioni servant.
THOMAS DNRNES.
Told OF Ills stock Deals.
the examination OF Byrnes. and was NJ
more startling than the story of hi
career ,,n tol% . under na oath in reply to aues
tate worth about $685. in his wife
name. and he explained how he had ac
cumulated 1t In what seemed to be
perfectly frank manner.
He had inherited about g. 200 worth o
property from a relative In Dutchcs
County, and while he was q captain h
Tbdou sSa hs spyei from WITH % G. to he
worth from SIS, 900 to $40. oGo when he me
Jay. Gouli in 1880. This included 81 4,ho
made on a deal which Commodor
NdNueTDlI Hldue LOT MN.
After explaining his financial career I
this point. Mr.. Byrnes told the I.exo'
Committee in detail how he had CAP
tured Col. He ward Wells, who ha
troubled Mr.. Gould. and how the latte
had given him information with regar
to stocks on which he made a fortune .
nearly 10000.
The Superintendent said he had bee
hamperei In his official work by tn
Police Beard. and he blamed the Com
miss!oners for all the corruption m tn
force He admitted that II needed re
organizing. but claimed the rank an
file was all right.
PETER CONLIN'S RECORD.