Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-03-04
SYLVESTER IS TO QUIT
COMMAND OF POLICE

| Continued from First Page.)
He served as chief clerk under Chiefs
| William NICE. Dye, Maj. s. H. Walker
and Col. William G. Moore, and it
| was because of his thorough knowledge
of police affairs and executive ability
that he was made chief.
| During the years he served as chief
of the department he introduced many
new methods of conducting police bust
ness.
| Maj. Sylvester's name was known far
and wide to the professional crooks.
His policy was to cause their arrest
and Imprisonment rather than the re-
covery of property, 1t Is stated. and
the crooks soon came to understand
| that distance was never too great for
| him to send for them.
Members of the different boards of
| District Commissioners showed the
quently asking his views upon Ques-
| lions pertaining to his and other de-
partments. He had much to do with
| framing many of the ordinances that
are now being en.orced.
His Acquaintance With Public Men.
Police duty frequently called the
chief to the White House. 1t Is stated.
and Maj. Sylvester enjoyed the per-
sonal acquaintance and confidence of
several Presidents and many persons
high in official life. He always was
willing to lend helping hand to per-
| sons in distress. and 1t was due to the
| interest he displayed In the welfare Of
| many boys and young men that they
later became successful in 1ife's pur-
suits.
In the matter of enforcing discipline
IN, fha 6nnp ri ~ fS tot
| Sylvester usually showed leniency
where it was possible to do so, and
saved the positions Of many men who
otherwise would have separated them
selves from the department. In his
| efforts to maintain discipline. 1t is
stated. he gained the enmity Of some
members of the force. who later turned
| against their chief. and did everything
| in their power to cause him to lose his
position.
| 1t is said that the great success at
| tanned by the International Associa-
| ton of Police Chiefs is due largely to
| the interest taken in the organization
by Richard Sylvester, and his efforts
| were so appreciated that he was chosen
| head Of the organization fourteen sue
cessive years.
Native Of Iowa.
| Born IN Iowa City. Iowa. in August,
1857, Richard Sylvester went to Mem
phis, Tenn.n with his parents and re-
manned there until 1869. when he
moved to St. Louis. Mo-, where his
father was associated with Stilson
Hutchins in the editorship Of the
Times At the age of twelve years
young Sylvester had his first business
experience as entry clerk in a large
business establishment.
| He entered the academic department
| of Washington University. and at the
termination of his connection with that
| institution he pursued the study Of
law for a year. Subsequently he turned
| ST. Louis Press. and about the time of
! the Black Hills discoveries he went to
| Nebraska and established the West
Point Progress.
In 1877 he returned to ST. Louis and
| took charge of the Pennington Times.
He served in state and congressional
| conventions. and came to this city at
| the age OF twenty years. serving as
correspondent for ST. Louis newspapers
| until he was appointed disbursing
officer for the Ute Indian commission
While serving in the latter capacity he
| formed the acquaintance of H. NJ. Tel
ler Secretary of the Interior, and be-
came close friend Of the Secretary.
Commended by Secretary Teller.
| When the commissions work ended
Secretary Teller wrote the following:
Richard Sylvester. esq, of the city of
| Washington, D. c.. was secretary and
disbursing officer for the Ute Indian
| commission while I was Secretary OF
the Interior. He discharged the du-
| ties of his Office to the entire satisfac-
ton of the department. AS such dis
bursting officer he paid out nearly $780,
900, and settled his accounts at the end
of the service without delay Or en-
| barrassment either to himself or the
department, and he left the service
| with the good will of all with whom
he had been officially connected. COM
mend him as a young man of ability
and integrity"
Shortly after his return from the west
| he accepted an appointment chief
| clerk of the police department, a posi-
| ton which included the handling of
large sums of money and much valu-
| able property, and when he was ele-
| waited to the position of superintendent
| of the department his accounts were
| found to be entirely correct.
| While serving as chief clerk of the
department he went to st. Louis, in
1885. and married Miss Laura v. Nc
Fall. daughter of Col. John McFall, who
| died only a few months ago, and is the
| father of three children-Mrs. Laura
Wood, Utica, N. Y: John McFall Syl-
| Vester. who recently resigned as an
| ensign In the navy to engage In pri-
| vate business. and Hubbard Sylvester,
/ who is in business in this city.
Family Antecedents.
On his paternal side Maj. Sylvester is
! the grandson Of Col. Henry H. Sylves-
ter of New Hampshire, whose wife was
a sister Of Gov. Henry Hubbard of that
| state and who also served in both
| houses of Congress.
| On his maternal side he is a grand
| son of the Rev. Dr. W. W. Woods of
Iowa, who was prominently identified
| in the anti-slavery cause. was a warm
| personal friend of President Lincoln
! and who temporarily filed the pulpit
| at the Presidents church. DR.. Woods
married Martha Gillespie Houston,
cousin OF Gen. Sam Houston.
Fleet Pleases King George.
l