Evening star., 1901-06-21

department, and when the selection became
known about the business section of the
city, q short time after the Commissioners
had taken action. congratulations poured
in upon him from every source. People
familiar with the police department and it's
methods say the appointment of the chief
of the detective corps is the best one Major
Sylvester could have made.
Native of Washington.
Capt. Boardman is native of this city,
having been born at the corner Of 10th and
F streets northwest nearly forty years ago.
He attended the public schools here and
several months were spent at school in
the Shenandoah valley. When he was six
teen years old he went to work in the
bureau of engraving and printing, where
he learned the trade Of plate printing.
Being penman of ability the young prin-
ter did great amount Of clerical work
while he was connected with that import
ant branch of the Treasury Department.
The 9TH day of December, 1885, he en-
tered upon the duties of policeman and
his first promotion was received in June,
1891. During these years he performed
duty in the first precinct, where, because
of his signal ability, he attracted the at
tention of his superior officers. In De-
cember, 1891 he was detailed as member
of the detective force. and seven years
later he succeeded Inspector Mattingly as
chief of the detective bureau. He has
made a success in that position and it
was due to his method of working that Il
number of noted 1awbreakers were appre-
hended and punished.
Captain Pearson.
Captain Pearson is an officer much older
than Captain Boardman. He is native of
Virginia and is about sixty years of age.
Until he was fourteen years old he at
tended the common schools of the District,
afterward working on his fathers farm
and the of no
| was of age. About this time the war
broke out and enlisted, January II, 1862
in Captain N. F. SteeI's company of the I'd
District of Columbia Volunteers. His term
OF service expired two years after his en-
listment, and Mr.. Pearson re-enlisted in
the New Jersey Volunteers for the war, but
he was never transferred, being discharged
December II, 1865, with the rank of ser
geant. Mr.. Pearson served with the army
OF the Potomac, participating in the battles
of South Mountain, Antietam, Fort Ste
vens, both battles of Winchester and the
second Bull Run.
During the remainder Of the war his regi-
| ment was employed in guarding the lines
OF communication supplying the Union
army. Skirmishes with Mosby's guerrilIas
were OF frequent occurrence, and the work
the glory of battle. After the war Mr..
Pearson was employed for some fifteen
months in the quartermaster's department
in Washington, after which he became con-
Mr.. Pearson married Miss Annie Vernon
OF Washington in November, 1872 Mrs
Pearson lived only about ten months after
her marriage. In May, 1876, Mr.. Pearson
married his deceased wfe's sister, Miss
NJ. L. Vernon. They have no children
He was appointed to the police force
February l, 1867, serving as a private until
February /, 1880, when he was promoted to
the grade of sergeant. November 20, three
years later he was made lieutenant and
has acted as night inspector since 1885.
His duties have always been Conscientious
ly performed, and his standing is high in
the department, although one in the posi-
tion he occupied, night inspector, is gen
orally disliked by the men. He is noted
for the fairness of his dealings and his con-
sideration for the people brought In contact
with him.
Maj. Sylvester's Letter.
Maj. Sylvester, in his letter to the Com
| missioners recommending the promotions,
said:
1T is desirable that police system shalf
be maintained that will meet the advanced
| conditions prevailing within this jurisdic-
tion, and, in order to effect changes looking
| to that end the last Congress, acting upon
the recommendation of the honorable Com
missioners, enacted legislation which it is
believed will be beneficial to the public and
| the department. Provision was made
whereby on and after the 1st day of July
| 1901, the organization will be placed on a
| basis which will be consistent as to Off
| GERS result in a more equitable distribu-
| ton of the work to be done, and which
! should secure for those having it to do
! more freedom from overtaxation, mentally
| and physically, and thereby afford more
| intelligent and satisfactory disposition of
details tntrusted to their supervision
The capital city of the country should
| have a detective corps as capable and
strong as police ingenuity can make it, and
| while there are embarrassments to be met
| with in effecting such a combination the
| records place the work accomplished here
| in this particular in as successful a class
as can be found elsewhere, and there is a
noticeable Improvement every year.
| Social Conditions Here.
! There is no municipality in the country
where social conditions approach those of
the District of Columbia, or where the la
| bors Of the police have been rewarded with