The times., 1901-04-08
ON THE Night INSPECTOR
Policemen Tell Stories of Some
Hairbrcadth Escapes.
bcrcIict BIUecoats often Caught
Mapping on the Post OF Duty-Ouc
Gets Away Under n Lead Of Brcud
-LeGcnd Of the Captive Balloon.

Tales on the niabt inspector OF police
arc as varied as they are numerous. on
the local force is a man grown old i'm the
service. both feared and respected. who
has followed the blueCoated guardians of
the peace for years on their weary rounds.
Under him is q man somewhat younger in
years, but nothing lacking in experience,
grit, or perseverance \ third man there
is. also an inspector of police. and they
form a powerful trio. watchful, earnest,
and always alert.
It is Of the veteran inspector first al
luded to. however that stories almost in
Vulnerable are told Detectives at head
quarters policemen in the various pre-
cincts or on their beats, even sergeants
and lieutenants several of whom have
sprung into official favor during the dec
ade past tell weird yarns of early days
on the "spotter' Of police Alone and un-
daunted by opposition of every kind. the
veteran inspector performed his work.
brought truant policemen to justice. in
Naded every section of the District at
all times Of the day and night carried
lear TO the very heart of the evil-doer on
the force, and earned for himself a repu-
tation. however stern Of justice and con
scientious effort.
Among the detectives at Head0uarters
is one formerly a Southeast Washington
policeman. He did duty for years along
the wharfs. later in "Bloodfeld.'' where
he made an enviabIe record. He has had
several narrow escapes from the night in
spector, but he related one in particular
the other night to brother officers. 1T
was cold night he said: the wind
was blowing q gale and snow was flying
and whirling about from time to time
IN a most uncomfortable fashion. I went
on for a trick at midnight. and soon got
way down in 'Bloodfield' a labyrinth of
alleys, dirty streets and dens where at
one time it was dangerous for man to
60 alone Ny partner was i'll, so I ran the
beat alone that night. and little expected .
company Of any kind
Toward 3 o'clock I saw the sergeant /
who went in toward the station and then (
] slipped into the shanty of a friendly
negro. somewhere in Union Court a mis- /
cradle excuse for thorouehfare / stay
ed there fifteen minutes or more because /
I suspected that something was wrong. A I
sort OF uncomfortable feeling came over
me, and I determined TO quit the place
as soon as possible. So l gave old Joe,
the negro. a kick: he awoke, and went 10
the door to recOnnoiter.
" He's outside. sho' nuh. said old Joe
as he came back, 'a-sitting on the do
step he is, and wide awake Then I did
not know the negro had put me wrong,
and l was ready for almost anything TO
Side out Of that place Already the in
spector had blown several times, but
could not answer. Out Of a back window
went as fast as I could, over a fence.
through an alley and into the street be-
hind the shanty As / ran cur dog
heard me, started for me from the mouth
OF an alley opening opposite to the one
! had just left, and into which l had
planned to pursue my flight. / saw the
dog barely in time to turn aside, and this
fact saved me from running right into .
the clutches Of the night inspector
Up the street 7 dashed with the dog
at nay Bees. barking and swapping at my
trousers. Twice I heard the inspector /
blow his whistle maybe because Of the I
racket made by the canine, but I did not
stop TIL ] reached the FAR end of my beat.
Then I began blowing my whistle for all :
was worth but not until I had driven 5
of the dog with my club. Five minutes {
later the inspector came along, and it l
took all the explanation / could muster :
about dogs TO convince him what a mar
row escape 1 mad had from personal in S
jury"
There is a policeman IN the Sixth pre-
,inct who once rode out of a local bakery T
story afterward- IL was narrow escape, I !
for the night inspector was lying in wait
ready to pOUuce on him when he appear
I'd. Ii seems that the DatrOlman in Uues- Z
ion had frequently obtained a supply Of I
buns. bread or rolls according to his ,
fancy, from the bakery during the early "
morning hours. For several months he I
escaped detection, but one morning. about /
iaybreak he was nearly caught. /
The inspector was there in front Of q
he bakery; there was no rear exit. as he
Ft D
Is he also knew said the policeman the \
1ther night. so it was no fault of his Y
hat i was not caught. ] had been IN the q
bakery haif-an-hour or more warming Up
and eating fresh bread. when a negro 7
.Olo me the night doctor, as he called
he Inspector was without ! saw ] was
trapped, ana saw no way 20 avoid being {
eaught. In fact, ! was about to walk
boldly cut and face the Inspector. y hen
lucky thought struck me. 4 closed
wagon was being loaded with bread, ready a
or distribution throughout the city. In . +
% this i jumped. IL took little time for I;
hem TO cover me with hundreds of loave,s d
# bread, and we then sailed forth ! J.
heard Sam, the driver, speak TO the in | g
ipector as ne drove 10y, but cid not move 4 d
lntii ] was several blocks away. when / / g,
eft the wa agoH.'
one policeman in the Eighth precinct a
lid not know the night inspector by d
sight He had been on the force hut a / q
ew weeks. but had heard many stories Of :,
he cunning OF the ''spOtter.' This par
ocular policeman was outspoken, and had
hatred Of being spied upon. I
he was on duty late one night about I
.wo years ego and was wide awake as
Usual i was his custom toward morn ! .
ng 10 visit a shanty in the outskirts Of z
lis beat, where a friendly drink always I
awaited him. night or day. on the morn | L
ng ia question IL was very dark, cheer
ess, and cold. He slipped around his 4 y
peat d couple Of times, turned in at the 4 L
patrol box, and then made straight for j.
he shanty. trusted friend met him %
IN the three knock signal and handed 1 v
aim the morning nip. Have you seen 4 "
inything this morning. the policeman / q
MAS asked No not even that-inspec- v
or: he cant catch me, though " said the ! Il
policeman. Il am too wise for him d" p
-'Eh! Good morning. Mr.. officer. En- q
oyinE your morning drink said a 1
iqueaky voice almost by his side The I y
policeman turned to see the inspector a
standing a few feet away in the shadow So
IF an adjoining building. So laughable d
lid the whole incident appear that police "
nan. inspector and bartender joined in il
Hearty mirtL. although the DatroIman ~
ace trial for his ill-advised conduct. He v
s st1l on the fore. however n
according 20 legend. there is q detec- ! al
I've on the force who cscaUed from the 1 Io
Inspector IN o balloon The episode tool, / ~
tace about fifteen years ago The tale
IS t2ic around Headquarters. which is
Feti authenticated, is coupled with the
lame Of one of the veterans Of the local
5ejesilNe Bureau. II is said that cap /
I've baioon was among the novelties at I II
Sluggish Blood :.