The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-18

Policeman FitzgsraId's Find Upscts the
Adnma ktreet Station.


Policeman Edward Fitzgerald OF the Adams
Street Station was on Fulton street at 2 o'clock
yesterday morning and at Hudson avenue he
saw square wooden box about two feet long
and three feet wide and sixteen inches high.
Believing that some one had left a case OF
wine on his post the policeman went over to
the box and made an examination. He found
that the box contained a bag made OF bedtick-
ing. He prodded the bag with his club and
Immediately heard wall. Concluding that
tho bag contained baby, tho policeman took
out his pocket knife and cut hole In the bag
to give the baby chance to breathe. He then
placed the box and the bag and its contents
underarrest and took all to the Adams Street
Police Station.
What have you got there2" asked Sergeant
Kennedy. who was on duty behind the desk.
Il think it's baby" said Policeman Fitz-
gerald.
The box and IFS contents having been care
fully carried into rear room. Sergeant Ken
nedy produced a lighted match. while Fitzger-
aid proceeded to open the bag. dozen
policemen formed In circle about the box and
anxiously watched the proceedings. No sooner
had Policeman Fitzgerald opened the bag than
no closed 1t again Iu ckly and shouted:
My God. it's a strange ANIMAL"
Put it in the cell for dead men," said Ser
geant Kennedy and leave the end OF the bag
open so that It can walk around and we can get
glance at IT,"
Fitzgerald did so and the electric light over
the cell door was turned on The policeman
saw peculiar looking creature about eie hteen
inches long with strange looking tail and
brlstly coat. There were many conjectures as
to what sort OF an animal 1t was. but no one
there had ever seen its like before.
There's one thing about it," remark ed Ser
MT IA
that CELL II any man dares to open the cell
door to let 1t out here. there'll be trouble"
Sergeant Toole. who is acting captain in the
Adams Street Station sent a messenger over
to Navy street for 'possum expert. a tall ne
gro known as First Number Sam" He
looked at the strange animal in the cell
and said That's no moro 'possum dan l am
n white man. I've been around Hudson
avenue for good many years. gen'men.
but never saw one OF those things
In dat neghborhood befo'. No. indeed F."
Messengers were sent to the various ANNA
dealers in Brooklyn to see II they had lost a
gyascutus.a porcupine. or agoslarmag oosalem.
Word came back that no such animals were
missing. but few OF the dealers called at the
station house to see the animal. After looking
at 1t. mono OF them was able to tell what it was.
Consequently. the only thing to do with it was to
send tito the property clerk at police headquart-
ers.
AS none OF the policemen wanted the job OF
carrying 1t around. Property Clerk Batchford
was sent for. When he got q glimpse OF the
animal. he declared that he wanted nothing
whatever to do with IT, He said ho wasn't GO
ing to run a risk OF caring for anything like
that. Then when the police threatened to send
1t around to him anyway. he locked up his Of
flee and went to Coney Island for the rest Of the
day.
The identity OF the animal was discovered
last night when clerk for John A. Williams
OF South Elliott place. went around to the
police station. He said the animal was por-
cupine which had been sent to Mr.. Williams
about two weeks ago by brother in the
country Mr.. Williams had kept it in his store.
at 573 Fulton street. since then, but 1t had
gnawed way out and escaped.
MIR. Williams sent word that the police could
have the poreupine as he was tired OF It. and
last night the police were wondering what they
could do with it,