Omaha daily bee., 1910-03-30


All the races represented in the hetero-
geneous population Of the Battery district Of
New York participated in the funeral OF
Battery Dan" Finn last Saturday. There
we're turbaned Turks end syrians, Egyp-
tians with dlnky caps, Cinnamon, Japs.
French, Germans and Irish and a host Of
Americans prominent in the political life
OF the big city. Twelve carriages were
filled with flowers, there were two bands,
vehicles OF unknown number and marching
delegations from many societies, constitut-
ing a throng that must rave given the
Hibernian soul unbounded Joy on its on
ward flight. Battery Dan was a char
acter typical Of his environment The nick
name defined the territory over which he
reigned as a political lord. His methods
were OF the rough house order, the only
kin possible in that section. but beneath
a rough exterior was a heart that re-
sponded to the needs OF the unfortunates
of all races. He had been q soldier In the
civil war, a volunteer fireman, base ball
fan, a fisherman, a booster Of New York,
but a knocker Of the police. Though with
out legal training. but possessing an
abundance of rough and ready common
sense, he was appointed by Mayor Nc
Clellan a magistrate Of the section in which
he lived and died. His doings on the bench
reflected the characteristics OF the man.
Battery Dams plain, outspoken manner
Of administering justice caused him to be
idolized by his friends and neighbors. He
always said that the weak and oppressed
needed q friend at court, and he was
going to help them. He soon became IA
nous for his advice to policemen. While
many OF his actions had a humorous as
pect, 1t was never denied thpt he mixed
much common sense and knowledge of
| human nature with his decisions.
An understood boy was once arraigned
before him by a 9OO-pound policeman.
What is the trouble2" asked Battery
DAN" peering over his glasses.
Your honor said the policeman, 81 ar
rested this boy at Canal and Lafayette
streets for interfering with the police COM
missioner's automobile. He was driving q
heavy team and the automobile was unable
to get by"
"Horrible!'' said the magistrate. Young
man, do you realize the Nervousness Of
our offense7'
Sobbing, the youth said he did.
WELL" continued Battery Dam" helm
Gus as 1t is. I I'm going to discharge you.
But 1 warn you that IL ever again you
are brought into court on a similar charge
/ shall deal with you severely. 1 shall sem
tence you to the waldorf,Astoria for ten
days with a muzzle on. 1 will teach you
who owns the city"
One afternoon when the Giants were
playing at the Polo grounds Magistrate
Finn, who was an inveterate fan" ad-
journed early to see the game. Walking
down Third avenue with his probation Off
Ger, Barney o'Connor, he met some friends
Of a prisoner he had held. They pleaded
with him to accept bail for the man.
While he was peditating what to do a
patrol wagon filled with prisoners being
transferred from the Morrisania court to
the Harlem prison came along. The
prisoner whose friends had interested the
magistrate was among the number.
"Stopt" shouted Magistrate Finn, run
ming into the street and waving his black
thorne cane. where is the prisoner he
asked, reading the name from the paper
that had just been handed him. Taking the
prisoner from the van he went to a nearby
saloon, where he announced he would hold
court. Everyone in the saloon DOTTED his
hat while the accused man was arraigned.
Then the bail bond was made out and the
prisoner formally discharged, and the
magistrate invited everyone to have a
drink.
1T doesn't hurt to do an act Of kindness
to a fellow man when It is within our
power he said.
Eighty-seven poultry dealers in New York
City have been indicted for a conspiracy
to fix high prices in the market and share
pro rata profits thereby obtained. They
are charged with preventing competitive
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