The times., 1901-06-23
A POLICE FORCE VETERAN
Captain Austin's Thirty-five Years
of Active Service.

Entered 1he rem
the Civil Wnr-His Life Saved 10y
Prompt Action During RIOT
Isaac Cohen, the Original CoNeS
In the retirement of Captain and AS
sistant Superintendent Manvllle "A
Austin as the second in command OF tht
Police Department the city Will lose
one of its efficient officers. This is the
unanimous opinion of those who are
versed in police affairs During ms
tbirty-ave years of service in the de-
partment he has proved himself TO be
a man of inGefatigable energy, Of un-
falteriug courage, of exceptional ablll-
tv and of constant devotion to duty.
Having filed every position in the de-
partment he has had tasks imposed
upon him that have never fell TO the
lot of any other policeman. Not only
has he been placed in the positions call
ing for exceptional abilities, hut pre-
cinct bounds were even changed TO give
him greater territory when he was
lieutenant His absence will be par
ticularIy regretted at Headquarters
where his close association with those
there on duty has given them clearer
insight into the many qualities which
have endeared him to all with whofn
he has come in contanct.
At the time of making his applica-
ton for retirement Captain Austin
asked for leave of absence until July
l when he desired that his retirement
should take effect, and in anticipation
of the favorable action OF the Commits
sioners on his request his leave was
granted and he has already freed him
self from the duties of the office. cap
tain Austin was born in Erie County,
Pa. October IL, 1910, his parents be-
ing people of moderate means. When
twelve years old he accompanied his
family to Alexandria County, Va,
where they lived until the outbreak OF
the civil war in 1851 Young Austin
Immediately enlisted in the army and
served with the Fiftieth New York
Volunteer Engineers Throughout the
entire war. He was with Grant before
Petersburg and in the campaign of the
Wilderness.
On being mustered out he returned
to Washington and was appointed on
the police force May 3, 1866, he then
giving his occupation as that of a far
mer. Within six months he was Of
fered a promotion to the rank Of SER
geant, but declined. Despite his OBJ
lection he was made a sergeant July
81, 1867, and transferred to what is
now the Sixth precinct under Lieuten-
ant Ecklofs. It was while thus serv-
ing that he attracted the favorable
attention of many by his courageous
suppression of what threatened to be
serious riot in SwampoOdle over the
election of Mayor Bowen. With six
men he marched against mob OF 200
angry men armed with guns, sabres,
pistols, and other weapons. AS they
reached the scene of action a big burly
fellow with a vicious looking sword
made a lunge at Sergeant Austin that
penetrated his coat but did no other
damage.
On the instant Policeman Oliver, who
was just behind Austin, stepped for
ward and showing a pistol against the
Another thrust and I'll scatter your
brains" The situation was a most
critical one, and the explosion of sim
gle cap would probably have been the
signal for the annihilation of Austin
and his little band. Austin sent in
call for re-enforcements, but waded into
the midst of the fray with his six men,
L Ena
the rioters well under control. Shortly
after that he was transferred to what
is now the First precinct, and Novem-
Der q, 1868, when he was only twenty
eight years old, he was made lieu
tenant and placed in command Of what
is now the Fifth precinct. but which
then comprised a much greater terri
tory
He remained there for eight years,
when he was transferred to what is
now the First precinct, which was ex-
tended to Four-and-a-half Street TO
give him greater territory The Police
Board. which was then in control, spe-
cially entrusted him with the closing Of
all gambling houses, all questionable
L
and with the suppression of the sale
of liquor on Sunday. and with the
twenty-eight men that constituted his
command ne set about his task with
his accustomed energy. His life was
continually threatened by those whom
he was working against, but he was in
different to their warnings and con-
tinued his work In one of his raids
he secured many valuable pieces of
gambling paraphernalia, including one
table worth 500. Shortly afterward,
during his absence. the District Com
missioners visited the station house and
destroyed $1,000 worth Of the property
which ne had captured. Following this
he had at one time suits aggregating
81, 800 outstanding against him by those
from whom he had captured "lay-outs."
Many were the devices Of the keepers
of gambling houses TO protect them
Selves from Austin's raids, and the
proprietor OF enc house on Z Street be-
tween Thirteenth and Fourteenth
Streets placed large bear in his back
yard while heavy oak bars protected
the front entrances. His very precau-
ton proved TO be his downfall however,
for while he was conducting the games
upstairs confident Cf his security from
intrusion, Austin marched a squad of
men to the front of the house and with
a common burglars jimmy forced open
the front door and was in the upper
rooms before II was known that he WIS