The Washington times., 1903-05-24
Reception for Popular Chief
of Police to Be Held at
Hotel Barton Tomorrow
Night.
Testimonial of Esteem on
Twentieth Anniversary of
Service With Police De-
partment.

AS a token OF good-fellowship, as an
indication of heartfelt thanks, as trib-
ute TO a long and faithful service. the
citizens of Washington will unite in a
public reception Monday evening in hon
or OF Major Richard Sylvester. Chief of
Police, VINO enters upon the twentieth
year Of his association with the depart
ment. Extensive preparations have been
made for the event, ard from present
indications the population will turn out
III large numbers to greet the honored
chief
To show that the affair is purely an
expression of public sentiment, the com
mittee in charge has been made up Of
persons in no way associated with Major
Sylvester i'll the management of the
District affairs. This will be the pre-
dominating feature of the celebration.
Let ii not be perfunctory greeting,
but expressive of our great regard for
the Major" is the sentiment of those
arranging the reception.
Tokens of Regard
The reception will take place at the
Hotel Barton. Among the gifts to be
presented TO Major Sylvester will be a
rosewood baton, highly polished and
symbolical of the office adorned with a
band bearing a suitable inscription, and
solid gold badge with the words,
major and Superintendent of Police
Richard Sylvester"
The celebration Is in commemoratfon
of Major Sylvester's twentieth anniver-
sary OF service with the department In
the spring OF 1888 he was appointed as a
secretary 10 the chief and has risen 10
his present position through merito-
rious work. He was made Superintend-
ent i'll 1898 upon the death of Col Will
liam c. Moore, to whom he was secre-
tary.
Richard Sylvester was born in 1857, in
Iowa, where his father published the
Iowa State Press" AT an early age
lie followed his father into journalism,
ana, when nineteen years old, became
the proprietor o. the Pennington
Times" While conducting the small
PAPER he had many exciting experiences,
anC on several occasions was compelled
TO fight for his life with the desperadoes
THAT frequented the section.
Into Wider Fields.
In Pennington he remained only
short time. After few years work
IN the small town he accepted a posi-
tiCn as reporter on the st. Louis
obe-Democrat' He quickly built up
large circle of friends, and in a short
time a position as Washington CORE
spondent for several papers was offered
him. In this capacity he met many
prominent men and became generally
POPULAR fact which is the secret of
his selection for the head of the Police
Department.
Hardly had he begun his newspaper
work here when the position as disburs-
ms agent OF the Ute Indian commits
sicn, appointed to settle the claims OF
lie tribe for improvements in the Colo
RADIO reservations. was offered him The
Utes had suffered great losses through
the order to drive them from the State.
and for these losses Congress had agreed
10 reimburse them. AS disbursing Off.
Ger il devolved upon young Sylvester to
distribute the funds, commission that
was filled with danger.
Presence of Mind.
The disbursements were made at a
small place known as the Southern Ute
agency. Accompanied by Lieut.. A. B. K
Kennon he crossed the plains and reach
ed the little settlement on a snowy day.
The Indians having claims against the
Government were corralled, and the pay
ment was at once begun. While the
money was paid out large crowd of
hostile Utes, angered by receiving no
share Of the money. threatened 10 wipe
out the small contingent Of white men.
Nothing would pacify them. and the
position OF the small party became ex-
ceedingly perilous. AS solution to the
problem Sylvester sent for Chief Douglas.
who had received a large portion of the
funds for corresponding losses, and ask
ed him 10 subdue the crowd. With
few words the leader quickly dispersed
his followers. and the work continued
without further interruption.
His Work in Washington.
on his return TO Washington Sylvester
accepted a position as secretary in the
Police Department. He later became
superintendent. and during his tenure Of
Office has brought about many beneficial
changes. He mas used keen judgment
anu Ql5CISA4O-A III the PEI tb- i44eSA4tN VI liz
duties, ard 1t is due TO his marked
ability that he was elected president OF
the International Association OF Police
Chiefs.
That his services have given more
than satisfaction is shown by the pres
ent state of the department and the
testimonial CT esteem by the citizens Of
the National Capital.
committee has been appointed 10
receive Major Sylvester at the reception
to be rendered him Monday night at the
Barton. as heretofore stated in The
Times. Mr.. James L. Norris. who has
charge OF the affair announced the
members of the committee last night 1t
Is composed OF representative business
men. Government employees having
been Invited to participate Those who
are TO serve on the committee are MIL
ton E. Allies Louis Amateis, Motley An
derson. John Taylor Armes. Joseph
.F, "