Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-02-13
CAPT. VIM. H. BROWN.
Former Well Known Resident Dies at
Home in Boston.

| Police Cantain William II. Brown, keep
| er Of the 'rombs prison, died at l56 Fri
| day afternoon at his home. 4lo MaSS'ici"-
| sets avenue, Boston, after an illness o.
| a little over a month A general breaking
down, coupled with an attack OF grip ana
kidney trouble, forced Capt. Brown 10 20
on the sick list about five weeks ago ar"
| from that day he never returned TO t'ie
| city prison. He was married anu hau
| several children all grown up.
| Capt. Brown was popular i'll the ponce
department and also with people III ~
walks in life He was a strict dlSclpii'a
rian when in command OF diFisloii' anu
| in the city prison, or the IoinDs' us 'i'
| grim structure on Somerset street -
| more commonly known, he was holeu iot
his humane treatment OF the FrIS"i''s
| confded to his care although ne haiidieu
them successfully at all times. Inc cap
tain had been keeper OF the lohips since
Nov. p, 1900
Can't. Brown was born in Ilallowell, Me,
| July II, 1871, and was, consequently, near
| w "a. He was educated in the schools of
his native place and April 10. 1861, when
h. was less than 20, he enlisted i'll the 81
Maine Regt. and served with the army Of
the Potomac two years ana u half. lie
was promoted to the rank OF sergeant.
rounding out foul and half years of hard
service.
With his discharge from the army in
his pocket young Brown returned nprth,
and after a short stay with his relatives
in lialloWel he Went to Boston and found
employment. May y, 1872. hr was ap-
pointed Il reserve man in tn" police de
partmcnt, ana WAS assigned 10 duty AT
division II. He WAS an excellent horse
man. and for 4 long time was one Of III"
mounted men OF the department, distin-
gushing himself by stopping many run
always and in saving drivers. as Well as
pedestrians, from death or injury. lie
was made ratrolmIn in ls7i, sergeant
March =, 1913, and Il lieutenant oct. ~
l>7S His promotion to be a capi;iin came
Nov -. 1856, and he WIS given command
of division 10. RoNbury Crossing He re-
maincd there until Dee. ., $3.50, when he
vas shifted to division Il. jamaica Plain,
and commanded there for 10 years, or I'M
til Nov IS 1859, when he was sent to take
charge of the city prison.
The death of Capt William II. Brown
leaves two vacancies in the rank OF cap
tain which the board of police can ill if
IL desires 1 ne reduction Ul tdI't- '''oi Sc
A Hail. formerly of division II, who lost
his rating on account Of the Tech riot,
created the first vacancy. That position
has been filled, temporarily, by the as
signmcnt to IL OF Capt. Dennis Donovan,
drillmaStcr OF the department, but 1t is
not believed to be the intention of the
commissioners TO Keep him IN charge Of
I, division permanently. as his services,
il is felt by the board, are needed at
headquarters in conducting the school OF
| instruction for new policemen and in drill
| ing the rank and file in military tactics.
1t is generally understood in the depart
ment that the reason the new commits
| siOnerS have rot made Il new cdp::iin be
| fore this time is that there is a hcsitancy
| about promoting one OF two OF the three
officers of the rank Of lieutenant who nave
| tiled preferential claims on the vacancy
| on account of their services in the Civil
war. The situation is complicated, more
over, by the death of Capt Brown, which
makes two caItaincies to he disposed Of
| There are good many men Ill the de
| partment who think that Commissioner
| Charles +. Curtis, before he retires next
| May would like to have hand in nam
| ing the Two captains and in making the
| promotions in the lower grades which the
advancement OF lieuttnantS would neCo s
| state.
| Lieut.. Curry of division II, has been in
| charge of the TomhS since Capt Brown
| went on the sick list. Lux ii is rot con
sdcred likely that he Will be retained in
| the position