Martinsburg statesman. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1869-1906, 1906-04-06

Story Of the Hero Of a Hundred
Rad RuoaWayS.

Bad RunaWAys.
Pompeii, of the New York mounted
police squad, and enc OF the most In
telligent members Of the force, was
retired from active service the other
day. When the stroke OF theauctioneers
hammer put the big bay out of ser.
vice, he was saved from the ragman's
cart and night hawk cab by the de-
votion of his fifteen-year friend and
comrade, Mounted Policeman Redmond
p. Keresey, Of the West 152d street
police station.
Pompeii had spent nearly twenty
years in the service and knew the
rules of the department better than
many a roundsman. He was the show
horse OF the force. Catching runa-
ways was his business, but mathema-
| ties was his diversion. He could add,
subtract, divide and multiply. and for
years had been a source OF delight to
the school children along Seventh
Avenue, where he was on duty be-
tween 10th and 153d streets.
| The children would gather around
Pompeii In the afternoons and talk to
him.
! Good at Mental Arithmetic.
When a sum in arithmetic was given
him Pompeii would listen attentively
to the figures. ponder over them for
a moment, and then announce the
answer by striking the ground with his
left forefoot. II the answer was the
half Of something Pompeii indicated 1t
by bending his foreleg at the knee
and holding 1t for moment. His
friends insist that he could tell time by
looking at a watch and announce the
hour and half hour In the same way
a. he did his sums.
/ Playing with the children was by
no means the best part Of Pompeii's
service. The records show that he and
his master have stopped moro than q
hundred runaways In the last fifteen
years. In several instances lives were
saved. Policeman Keresey and Pom
peii have been almost inseperable ever
since the latter Joined the force. Again
and again the comrades were parted for
short time when Keresey was trans
| ferred from one precinct to another,
but each time the policeman managed
to have his favorite sent after him.
Hurt While Stopping Runaway.
| A short time before the arrival Of
Prince Henry In New York, Pompeii
was badly hurt while stopping run
away at Seventh avenue and 125th
street. Two days later, while acting
as a guide for the Prince some dirt
got In the wound and blood poisoning
set in. Keresey managed to get placed
on reserve duty and gave all his time
to nursing Pompeii back to health. The
police veterinary condemned the horse
as unfit for duty. but Keresey managed
to evade the decision for few days.
Then Pompeii made a spectacular run
along the avenue and stopped bad
runaway in such style that nothing
more was said about retirement.
The fatal day was only put on, how
ever, and last month the big bay was
sold at auction at the stables OF the
West 1924 street station. Keresey was
on hand with $4o0 all the ready money
he could scrape together, determined
not to be separated from his old friend.
Hurt While Stopping Runaway.
! Keresey himself bears some scars
gained In the fierce rushes he has
made with Pompeii. Five years ago
his right leg was broken in two places,
and two years ago his neck wa
wrenched and his skull nearly smashed
in. Both injuries were received while
with Pompeii's aid he was stopping
dangerous runawayE
Only one man had the heart to bid
against Keresey 30 he ransomed his
old friend for $50, about twice what
he was worth said the. veterinary.
Then Keresey started ON q vacation.
When last heard from he was spending
| II ON a bit Of q farm he has ut Rye