The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-02-21
First Wan with Red Beard

IT TOHl the new OK sum-
One individual in the early police history
Of New York who for time was in great
demand was Thomas Greatbatch. the orig
inal Of the imam with the red beard, -
who appears at irregular intervals in mod
ern police news with the same sensational
uncertainty that formerly characterized
abroad the man with the iron mask
Greatbatch was the original man with the
red beard, and in view of the subsequent
celebrity of his successors considerable
interest attaches to the authentic hue and
cry notice which was published in March,
400 concerning him. 1t was as follows
"One Thomas Greatbatch a lusty. well
set man. between 80 and 40 years Of age
he has a red full face and a thick red
beard; he commonly wears Perriwig. his
right leg IS crooked. He is a Sailer, hav-
ing been late Mate to Captain Bonker in
a Briganteen from Curacao to PhiladeI-
phia. has absented himself at New York
the 18th instant, having several consider
able sums of money in his hands for
which he has signed Bills Of Lading
Therefore, whoever shah meet with said
Person, are desired to secure him, and
give notice to Mr.. Moses Levy, Merchant
in New York City. who Will pay as a Re
ward 20 pieces Of Eight with reasonable
Charges. and indemnity, and save harm
less said Persons for taking up and Sc
curing said Great batch"
About this time an official proclamation
was made. calling on all persons to do
duty on the constables' watch, under pen
atty Of six shllings' fine for every In
stance of negligence. THE man with tie
red beard had certainly fewer obstacles
to his escape from the clutches Of the
law than ne would have today in New
York, as the following publication shows:
Pursuant TO an order of the Common
Council We have agreed with Robert
Drummond. Richard Yearsley, Edmund
Thomas and John Vanderbeeck, four
able-bOdied Citizens Of this City. to be
the Watch and Bellmen Of this City from
the 1st Of November next ensuing until
the 1sJ day of April then next following.
which service they are duly and diligently
TO attend by going every hour in the night
through the several streets Of this city
and publishing the time OF night and
also to apprehend all disturbers OF the
peace. felons etc also 70 take care that
no damage he done TO the City by fire
or any other casualties as much as in
them lies: for which service they are 70
have the sum Of forty-four pounds. cur
rent money of New York. six pounds
whereof n be paid them in SIX weeks and
the remainder AZ the expiration OF thu
time; and that a Lanthorn, Bel, and hour
glass be provided them at the City's
charge"
Notwithstanding these precautions, II
appears that Thomas Grsatbatch, the first
man with the red beard IN the police his
tory OF New York. evaGed capture, dis
armed suspicion. kekpt his identity Sc
cret. and prevented any covetous person !
from securing the reward % twenty pieces |
Of eight. together with reasonable charg- /
as. He continued II New York he walk /
ad upon the public promenade az what = /
now the Battery Park, scrutinizing the /
beautiful bay a. sunset and occasionally 4
took q trip W 70 the city Han. n Wall I
street. and even put MS ilosrty n the 4
peril of proximity 70 the watch and Gel /
men by taking a seat Oh the portn o. that
building and there stroking his red beard
and permitting the south winds 70 bioT
through his whiske-s. Ee escaped detsc-
ton lie vas q mystery Of cary New
York. TIE hue and cry n his case VAS
lravafiinE. and after he had returned 70
England NJ wrote cas- some ctaer iti1sr-
mt EnrIsshrnen have done in books. on
ne subjects OF the StateS-not ne stairs.
,rlt the colonies CT William III, Prince
= Orange and King % Eng.and-