The Washington times., 1901-06-30
wATcHMAN PREsLEY,s DOG.
An Unsalaried Guardian of the Pence
in Cleveland.


Old Presleys death not long ago wa.
not widely heralded In the press. YET
among the few who knew him. best this
old mans taking of was sincerely mourn.
ed. Old Presley's dog has disappeared
from view and it is believed that his de
mise must have occurred prior to that oi
/ his master.
For many years Old Presley was EN-
| ployed as a nightwatchman and specia
policeman on Pearl Street, between De.
troit Street and Franklin Avenue. He die
his work faithfully and weIlsthrough tbs
icy blasts of winter and the suftry heal
1 of summer, and was never missing from
his post of duty. His dog, who was be
lieved to be almost as old as Presley him
self, was always with him, and lent real
1 ~ valuable assistance to his master
! Old Presley's dog was of the big, blacl
! Newfoundland variety, and seemed pos
sessed of almost human intelligence
Many West Siders of Nocturnal habits
have long score of grudges against OLD
Presley's dog. and not a few have sworr
dire vengeance upon the oficious beast
The fact that at the end of it all Old
Presley's dog died in peace and obscurity
is but another tribute to his discernment
and intelligence.
w Oid AItStty WIS IudhiHb 4iS
rounds the dog was invariably to be
found sauntering about fifteen PAGES in
front of him. After midnight. when both
Presley and the dog knew that all God
fearing folk ought to be at home and in
bed, rne sagacious canine was wont to
begin his activity In his position as ad-
vance guard TO the main body, composed
of Old Presley himself. the dog considered
it his duty to hold up every chance pedes-
trian until the mafr body came up and
either gathered in the pedestrian or sig
nailed to the advance guard to release the
prisoner
The method employed by Old Presley's
dog was as follows: When, during the
course of his perambulations he came
across some 3eIated Individual, ne would
draw himself UP to his greatest possible
size and place himself directly in front Of
the belated pedestrian. gazing fixedIy into
his face. If ne pedestrian made no ef-
fort to move she dog would simply stand
and petrify him with this gaze until Old
Presley came up and made an inspection.
If, however, the unwilling prisoner made
an attempt TO pass on the dog would also
take a step nearer, show his teeth and
give utterance to a terrifying and gutter
al twhoOf." just one of the warnings was
generally enough, but the dog was ever
ready for further action il the necessity
arose.
As soon as Old Presley came up near
enough to inspect the dogs prisoner and
saw that he was not a law breaker or
suspicious person he would strike the
sidewalk two sharp raps with his club.
This signal was perfectly understood by
the dog ard he would at once stand
aside and allow his prisoner to proceed on
his way. II. however. no such signal was
given, the animal was certain to hold his
prisoner in safe keeping until Old Presley
had either received a satisfactory expla-
nation or had placed the fellow under ar
rest.
old Presley and his dog had become an
integral part Of the night landscape in
this particular portion of the West Side.
They were both generally liked. but Ger
tain persons whose business or pleasure
frequently called them TO this locality dur
ing the small hours of the morning grew
to have deep seated hostility toward the
dog and meditated dire vengeance. 1t was
certainly CALLING TO their pride and self
respect TO be repeatedly held up by this
shaggy guardian of the peace who never
mace friends, and who never recognized
any claim for immunity. The recent pass
ing of Presley and the dog left void and
their familiar foyms viii be missed for q
long time by those who had learned to
know them--Cleyeland Plain Dealer.