The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1901-04-27
KELLY is CAPTAIN
He Succeeds Farrier June
l at the Fourth Police
Precinct.
SATISFACTION ON ALL SIDES
The New Appointee Has
an Enviable Reputation
on the Force.
SATISFACTION ON ALL SIDES

The Board did itself credit and afforded
general satisfaction throughout the de-
partment and to the public in the pro-
motion of Sergeant Kelly to be Captain.
Kelly was appointed chanceman in the
First precinct on April 20, 1887, and in Mo-
vember of the same year was promoted
to patrolman. December l. 1890, he was
appointed sergeant and in February of
last year was detailed to the desk at
Headquarters, where he still remains, fill
ing with great faithfulness and strict de-
votion to duty the position from which a
number of his predecessors have been
elected to the captaincy. That berth is
conceded to be the stepping stone to a
captaincy for all who happen to secure
it, Though several have been thus pro-
NOTED none were more deserving of the
elevation than the genial, accommodating.
yet brave and fearless John Kelly. He
was fervently congratulated by the Com
missioners, CHIEF Murphy, Inspector
Archibold and many of the other officials
of the department on the announcement
Of his appointment.
The most interesting feature of the
Police Board meeting last night, and the
one of the most Importance to the public,
was the adoption by unanimous vote of
resolution appointing Sergeant John
Kelly, one OF the most efficient officers
in the department, captain, to succeed
Captain Frederick T. Farrier, who at his
own request is to be retired June l, at
which time the appointment of Kelly will
take effect.
The appointment of Sergeant Kelly
brings to mind the fact that he is the
frts Democrat that has been appointed
captain in ten years. The captains now
stand three Democrats and four Repub-
lcans. Not long ago Sergeant Kelly was
walking up Newark avenue in uniform.
de made fine appearance and an old
citizen was moved to remark
There goes a policeman. He's the first
real specimen of the peoples guardian
that has appealed to me as first class in
many day"
The new captain is a little below the
six-feot mark, with great breadth of
shoulders. He is of sandy complexion
and wears moustache that is almost
red He is as congenial as he is big
When ne was patrolman many years
ago he was always assigned to the hard
est posts in the city. Several attempts
have been made on his life, but no law
breaker ever escaped him, no matter how
desperate.
There is a story told that Kelly made
one of the toughest citizens of the city
respect him more than he ever respected
any other man in or out of uniform.
Kelly was in Little Italy, on post for
a short time when he heard that a GER
tain Italian was on the war path, wild
with drink, and threatening the lives of
all whom he met. People fed in terror
from the vicious looking giant. Kelly had
been told by his predecessor of this man.
On the night in question Kelly was APP
preached by fraI little man, who shook
as if he had palsy.
Hes at it again. Oh. Godl he'll kill
some one. Send for some policeman and
stop him.'F
who's at it again?'' asked Kelly. Ine
mans name was mentioned.
without any further talk Kelly started
on the double quick and soon reached
the liquor crazed man. Upon sight of the
uniform on man he had never seen be-
fore the man started at Kelly like wild
bull.
Kelly met him more than half way and
a desperate struggle followed, that at one
time looked as if only the death of one
would end the battle. But neither was
killed. Kelly was considerably ruffled,
but the tough had met his match and he,
went TO the station house, not under
guard of half a dozen men as he had on
former occasions, but under command of
Policeman Kelly. After that little intro
duction to the residents of Little Italy
Kelly had little trouble. No one WHO
sought trouble sought Kelly; in fact, the
announcement of his approach put stop
to all rows. After the tough had done his
abits' he returned to his old haunts and
several times he went on tears similar to
the one in which he met Kelly. When ar
rest was necessary Kelly simply went to
him and said
Come with me- There was no pro-
test, and there was no resistance. The
tough simply went quietly and didn't feel
ashamed of the fact that but one poiice-
man took him.