New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-04
M'CULLAGH, ONCE
POLICE HEAD, DIES
Felt Better, He Told His
Friends at Headquar-
tiers Tuesday

John McCullagh, who as Chief OF
Police in New York City MADE life I'M
pleasantly exciting for gangsters, fire.
quenters Of the red light districts and
other adherents Of Tammany Halls
laissez faire policy. died yesterday at
his cottage, 1901 Grand Avenue. Asbury
Park.
He had been ailing for months, and
only had recently undergone an opera
ton at Johns Hopkins Hospital in
Baltimore. On Tuesday he visited Pc
lice Headquarters-s different place
from the old gray building on MuI
berry Street. over which he once ruled
to chat with the few remaining who
once had worked with him.
Pm feeling better than have in
several years. he told them. Pm go
ing out Of town for few days, and
I'm going 10 come back we'll
Never Felt Better"
When he reached Asbury Park on
Tuesday he told his sister-in-law, Miss
Mary Hamill, and his niece. Miss Edith
Roys. that he had never felt better.
Yesterday morning they found him
dead IN bed.
From the beginning. MeCulagh was
a fighter. He brought the love of com
bat with him from Ireland, where he
was born in 1845. In 1870 he first put
on the blue frock coat and awesoms
stove pipe helmet OF the old patrolman
and was assigned to duty in the 5th
Precinct
Two years later his love Of horses
and his ability to handle the most rest
i've animal caused his transfer to the
mounted squad as a roundsman. In
1876 he was made sergeant, and in 1889
captain. Shortly thereafter New York
at large began to realize what qualities
had caused mis- advance. lie was as
signed 20 the "bloody Sixth" as goddess
a precinct az the city then boosted.
I'm the ten years that followed Nc
Cullagh fought against the combined
forces of the worst of the city's vices
and won. He came down upon the big
fats" in Elizabeth Street and drove 10
cover the criminals who haunted this
rendezvous. He hammered respect for
law and order and McCullagh into the
terrible Five Points" lie hit the girl
traffic. gambling and opium smoking Of
Chinatown. and at least reduced them.
Gang leader after gang leader crossed
Lis path. and generally started imme-
diately thereafter for Sing Sing
Broke Up Gangs
Hhe broke up the Leather Heads
and the "Jew Shaws" He sent Danny
Driscoll. of the Whyos," 20 the gallows,
and when Owen Bruen attempted 20
take the leaders place, hurried him TO
prison.
In 1925 he was made acting Inspector
of Police, and when Chief Conklin re-
tired. in August. 1897, he became acting
chief. In January, 1898, the Board OF
Police, which consisted OF two Repuo-
licans and two Democrats, appointed
McCullagh chief.
He Immediately began TO carry
through city-wide vice suppression
with the same thoroughness that had
characterized his work on the Bloody
Sixth" and Tammsny likewise began
TO howl for his removal. For five
months McCullagh fought the Tiger,
with Captain Herlihy. his chief aid.
His work was hampered m every pos
sible way. He appealed to Mayor Van
WICK and received no help. Event
ually Tsmmany got him, and William
f. Devery reigned in his stead.
Following his removal from the
police force. McCullagh was appointed
State Superintendent Of Elections for
New YORK by Governor Black. During
mis- term he uncovered many election
frauds. much to the discomfort Of Tam
MANY and to his own lelight. This
period was ono constant guerilla var
fare between Devery and himself, and
finally Tammany got him again, and he
retired to private life.
For the Last few years the former
chief and a nephew have conducted a
priyate detective agency at 1876 Broad
way.