Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-08-29
ZEIL FUNERAL TO BE
HELD ON THURSDAY
rContinued From First Page1

will be made in Mount Calvary Gene
terry. A detail of police will also at
tepd the funeral to represent the de-
partm ent.
In honor of the executive, orders
were issued this morning at headquar-
ters that the members of the police
force shall wear a small black bow or
ribbon over their badges. as token OF
respect. Resolutions of regret will
probably be passed late to-day by the
officers.
This is the second death of a MEM
ber of the department since the pres
ent administration began. Several
months ago Patrolman Lewis c. Ripple
was murdered while on duty.
Died Under Knife
The police executive died at 1920
o'clock last night at the hospital while
undergoing an operation for acute in
veloped from peritonitis. His death
occurred just IA hours after he was
admitted. He was stricken Sunday,
but even then the seriousness OF his
condition was not generally known.
Expressions of regret were heard
all over the city to-day at the sud
den death. Those present when the
chief died were Drs. G. L. Laverty,
George B. Kunkel, Park A. Deckard
and Mayor Meals.
The chief had refused to undergo
an operation when first brought to the
hospital, and almost to the last re-
quested Mayor Meals to keep him
from the knife, but surgeons declared
it was his only chance to live.
Serving Second Term
The official was serving his second
term as police chief, both of which
were under Mayor Meals. In 1908 he
49,, ~, a
served about year and a half. When
Thomas G. George resigned as chief
of police, zeil was appointed as his
successor. He was appointed by Coun-
Gil for the second time when Mayor
Meals went into office at the beginning
of the year.
His ability to handle traffic prob
lens was one of the features of both
terms. When the new system now in
use in the city was being decided upon
Chief Zeil was one of the big factors
with the Mayor and Captain of Police
]. P. Thompson, in overcoming the
difficulties in handling street traffic
efficiently.
Insisted on Traffic Rules
He served on the traffic commit
tee of the International Association or
Police Chiefs, which convened in Will
Transport this Spring. During his
of changes in traffic systems, and in
sisted that his officers enforce all
traffic ordinances.
His method of dealing with drunks
who were not disorderly in the streets
was a unique one. He established the
plan of safe keeping" which meant
that the individual was either permit
ted to sober up or taken to his home.
He remembered faces and names well,
and usually could recall whether any
one under arrest had ever been
brought in before for an offense, while
he was in office.
]. Thomas Zeil was born December
%, 1859, in the house where his father
conducted a tailor shop opposite the
Bolton House in Second street. He
was educated in the public schools and
when 20 years old started in the
haberdashery business with his broth er
Herman, at 22S Market street. In 1889
he sold out and became salesman for
the Capital City Cigar Company and
later for a York cigar company. He
served on the police force from 1908
until the expiration, of Mayor Meals
term of office, then entering the en-
ployment of John G. Wall. Sixth and
Cumberland streets. In January he
again assumed charge at police head
quarters and remained in active duty
until Saturday.
WINDSOR NOW IN ChaP9e
Survivors are his wife, Mrs. Mary
E. Zeil; a son. William F. Zeil, and
daughter, Mary, and one grand
child, william, Jr.
Within half an hour of his death
members of the day police force began
telephoning for information while
many others called at headquarters
More than a score of his friends had
gathered at midnight and discussed
the sudden death of the executive and
his many acts of kindness while in
office. Superintendent of Detectives
William Windsor, Jr., will become act
ing chief Of police until a successor
is named.