Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-03-12
OUR NEW YORK LETTER.
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE. |

Usually, when man is released
from Sing Sing there are no demon
strations in his honor, but it is said
the rule will be suspendt d in the case
of John Y. McKane of Gravesend, who
is to go forth from the prison ut the
beginning Of April. Hundreds Of
people belonging to the community
which he bossel for so many years
have signifed their intention Of show
ing their continued contide :ce in Me-
Kane and defiance Of the law which
had fixed h.spunishment. Nothing but
the earnestly expressed request OF the
former chieftain himself prevents
these people from meeting him at the
Grand Central depot with bands and
banners and with making still more
disgusting exhibition Of their W ant of
good taste. If these misguided ones
have the power to do it, and can per-
suade him to accept their trust, they
will put McXane in politics as soon
us possible in order to prove their
Loyalty. McKane himself believes
that he has been badly treated. He
has said again and again that he failed
to understand for what he was being
punished, and that he has wronged no
man ina his life. Edward NJ. Shep-
ard, who conducted the prosecution
of Mckane, has made it the basis
Of his refusal to aid in procuring
pardon for him that the convicted man
had never at any time acknowledged
his guilt. Shepard wanted from Nc
Kane some signs of contrition and sor-
row.
McKans was the product of evolu-
tion and environment. Coney Island,
OF which he was the ruler, was pc
culiar place, which seemed to need
set of laws to suit itself. Gradually
McKane made these laws for it, and in
making them suspended or brushed
aside all ordinary laws. Having rer-
suaded hiMself that despotism was
Il good thing for Coney Island, and
that he was the proper man for despot,
McKane established himself in that
position soon after he became chief of
the Coney Island police. McKane
says of himself: ''It was in 1879 that
Twas first elected supervisor of Graves
end. There were no police ON COney
Island, and as about $4,000 persons
came down to it on busy days the
freedom OF the place, added to
the fact that all the folks were
out for holiday and conse-
sequently had money to spend, at
tracted to the spot all The worst char
acters from New York and other
places. Pickpockets piled their trade
everywhere, thugs and toughs terror
ICED decent people and drove them
away. The place was abs; lutey I'M.
safe for peaceable citizens, and as the
season advanced the crowds grew
bigger and bigger and tougher
and tougher. Outrages null
tiplied and nobody was punished.
Eyil-inclined men and women had
the widest license, for the most
disgraceful scenes were enacted
publicly. All kinds of gambling were
carried on in houses scattered all
over the beach, but principally in a
row of houses on the boulevard, and
three-card monte men, bunco men,
and sweat board men went about
among the crowd and hooked their
victims openly. saw that a police
force was matter of vital necessity.
1 had to learn the police business my
self, then ! Lad to discipline my men;
then had to weed out the black sheep
and gather about me people on whose
loyalty could implicitly rely, who
would not yield to the temptations
and coiruptions Of the place, and after
that / had to attack strongly in
trenched evils. Kid Miller, Hungry
Joe, Canada Bill, Jersey Jimmie,
Paddy the Horse and very slick
gentleman named Vail all used to
come down and make things lively for
visitors 10 the island, while Red
Lesry, Shang Draper and others Of
that sort We always had with MS.
"Vail was a confidence man and
pickpocket. l met him on the beach
one day when we were just beginning
to get the police i'll good order and
could afford to try to improve matters.
what is your name?' / asked. My
name is Vail. What is your business?'
Farmer where do you live?'
I'm Chatham square, Amt that
small farm?' Big enough for me-. Il
have just been told you area confidence
man 'No,sir; that amt so. well,
] CAN'T help it, I want you to do me
favor. want yon TO get off this
island in IL minutes and never come
back again Il want You to distinctly
understand, sir, that am an Amer
lean citizen, and l will do as ! please
When he gave me that reply all 1
said was, Lock him up what will
You lock me up for?' he asked. For
being an american citizen and doing
as you please. What will You do with
my dogy' Lock him up with you.
He's as good as You are Vail weak
ened after night in the cell and was
allowed to 60. l had no proof against
him, and the vagrancy law was not
then in force.
"Kid Miller, one of Wallis friends,
bothered me considerably for a time.
The president of the Canal bank
was stopping at the New York hotel.
Miller and his pal looked the old tel
low over and followed him to the boat
when he got on board to go to Coney
Island. The banker had his wife with
him. She asked him question about
scenery in New York bay which he
could not answer Kid Miller's pal
struck in and asked permission to be
allowed to indicate the points of inter-
est along the shore. He showed them
everything of interest. The old couple
were charmed. They all went together
to Buffalo Bills Wild West show, and
after it was over they all went and had
some dinner at Brighton Beach hotel.
Kid Miller happened along and was
introduced as nephew of Erastus
Corning. why, ! knew Erastus