The age-herald., 1900-08-05

time, yet the city Is almost as free of criminals as smaller communities having twice that number of policemen.
 The history of the police department is the history of Birmingham. From the day when the swamp which once occupied the spot now occupied by the city hall was drained away and the land reclaimed from the water moccasin and the frog, to the pre sent fifth day of August, 1900 no stride cityward was made but the police depart fnent kept pace with it.
 The police department was organized in 1871, when the first mayor, Robert H. Hen ley, was chosen to fill the high office He appointed city marshall or chief of police. and two other policemen. The marshal was O. D. Williams, and the two other policemen were Robert Bailey and H. Clay Adams. This was the humble beginning of the superb body of men now known as the police force of Birmingham.
 As the city grew, the police department also increased. Every administration added more names to the muster roll, yet there has never been at any time in our history sufficiently large number of officers to adequately perform the ever-increasing duties of their office without the most arduous and difficult labor
 During the boom and for several years after the policemen had a herculean task in maintaining law and order, yet most nobly did they perform their work. J. H. MilBtd, J. D. bOHeiSOll, J. M. NIX, J. D. Oldham, R H. MeCallum, J. s. Johnston, w. F. Walton and T. z. Hagood, present members of the force, were among those pioneer guardians of the city's peace.
 It Is matter for sincere regret that the finances of the city prevent the maintaining of larger police force, and it is to be hoped that in the future some provision will be made by which we shall be enabled io employ twice the present number of off cers, not because the present force is in- adequate to perform their duties, but be- cause the members are over-worked. Each officer is now on duty for twelve hours at a time, while those of the other cities of the country are on duty only for eigth hours continuously.
 Birmingham has just cause to be proud of her stalwart defenders.
 The members of the present police de- psrtment is as follows: c. w Austin chief; w E. Weir, captain, J. B. Donelson, lieu- tenant; J. c. Rowiett. sergeant; J. 8. John- ston, No. l; w. P. Walton, No. 2; A. D. Brown, No. 8; M. Eagan, No. 4; sG. E. De- vine, No. 5; c. H. Bodeker, No. G. G. ". Armstrong, No. 2; H. T. Culpepper, No. S; w. A. aDisheroon. No. g; W. j. Mcdonald, No 10; J. $. Oldham, No. II; R. H. Mccall ston, No. 15; T. Z Hagood, No. 16; R. 1T. Patton, No. r; J. H. Mullin, No. IS; s. A Hamilton, No. 1s; J. B. Cole, No. 20; w. J. Thompson, No. 21; J. I. Mcknight No 22; T. J. Shirley, No. 23; F. F. Gray, NO A; w. J. Leitch, No. 25; J. P. McDaniel. No. 26; J. ". Reese, No. 27; J. H. Cunningham, No. 2S; J. E. Burke, No. g; w. C. Veitch, No. 30. J. H. Whaley, No. 31; J. T. Richey, No. SS; J. D. Bryaus. No. 34 J. N Byars, No. S5; G. w. Walton, No. 36; W. H. Baker. No. S7; W. E. Murphy No. Ss; H. Fully, No 39; w. H. Smith, No. 40; J. W. Gloer, No. fl; L. P. Mckinney, No. 42; J. H. Min gea, patrol driver; Mack Rittenbery. night warden city prison; F. J. Newman, day warden city prison.
 There are now no officers numbered thir- teen and thirty-four. The badges bearing those numbers are no longer worn. The officers who once wore them no longer swer to their names at roll call, or report for duty with their brother officers. Their duty has been performed, and right we'll did they perform it. While maintaining the law and bringing the breakers of 1t to jus tice, they lost their lives. Yet though they themselves have passed away, their names will ever live in the hearts and minds of their feilow-citizens, and the bearers of them, Kirltley and Adams, will never be forgotten by their friends and brother off, cers