Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-05-30
CHIEF CORB|TT DIES
AS. PARADE STARTS



the younger Corbitt prepared to have
the body removed to the home of the
chief, at 81 Park street.
Poses for Photograph.
A peculiar incident in which the
chief took part occurred outside po-
lice headquarters within half an hour
chiefs automobile was waiting to
convey him and other officers to Mil
itary Park, where the parade started.
An Evening Star photographer
stepped up with a camera and asked
the officials to wait moment while
fe took picture.
To the surprise of everyone pres
ant, including the photographer Chief
Corbitt did not raise any objections,
/. and for the first time during mis- ca
/ reer as chief he posed for a camera
man. On former occasions he had
always expressed distinct dislike
10 posing for pictures for publica-
ton.
The circumstances surrounding the
death of the chief recalled the wish
. he had often expressed to other
T members of the police department.
IF I have to die suddenly" he
had said repeatedly, 81 want to die
in harness." When death overlook
him he was dressed in the complete
uniform used by the chief during
a parade or annual inspection.
Wife Was Waiting In Street.
At the corner of East Kinney and
Broad streets Mrs Corbitt, the wife
of the chief, waited with one of his
daughters to view the parade. They
had expected to see Chief Corbitt as
usual on horseback leading the pag
cant, and he had told them earlier
in the day that East Kinney and
Broad streets was a good point from
which to view the parade and escape
the big crowd.
AS the parade hove in sight Mrs.
Corbitt was approached by her son,
Michael. jr., who told his mother
that the chief had become ill and
advised her to go home. Mrs. Cor
bitt inquired If her husband was at
home and was informed that he would
be there when she arrived.
When Mrs Corbitt arrived at the
Mouse the news of her husbands
death was broken to her by her son,
Y Piainclothesman Harry Corbitt. Mrs
Corbitt was Frustrated with grief.
Mayor Jacob Haussling, President
John H. Donnelly, of the Common
Council; members of the Board of
Police Commissioners and several
other city officials called at the Cor
bitt home during the day to offer
their sympathy.
The chiefs death is the second in
/ the family in short time. William
4 Corbitt, superintendent of city docks
Corbitt, died about six weeks ago at
his home, 80 Park street.
Born Here Seventy -one Years Ago.
Chief Corbitt was born in the city
! of Newark on February l. 1912.
He was appointed to the police de-
+ partment October II, 1869, but on
I March 8, 1874, he resigned his position
4 to become private Waterman for a
y number Of downtown business houses.
4 On October 4. 1887, he was induced
to return to the police department
and was made a captain and assigned
Z to the First precinct. October Ia,
3 1885, he was transferred to the Second
Z precinct, where he remained until
y September /, 1899. when he was re-
Z turned to the First precinct.
He was transferred to the Third
Z precinct January 1, 1901. and remained
x there until April %, 1907, when he was
4 appointed acting chief. On May 3,
& 1907. his appointment as chief of the
: police department was confirmed by
the Common Council.
\ He was a veteran of the Civil War,
4 having been one Of the first men to
Z enlist in the First Regiment of New
= Jersey Volunteers, which was recruit
4 ed in Newark and vicinity, and was
the first regiment from this state to
70 to the 'front.' After three months
y xsaa discharged from the First