The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-01-25
New Policeman Gets
Shower of Presents,
Then Gets Prisoner

Strains from an antiquated violin
and the merry notes of a flute, &C
companied by laughter and the
sounds of shuffling feet Tuesday even
ing led persons in upper East Bridge
port to believe they were back in
Kerry where the inimitable break
downs are performed by the Kerry
dancers accompanied by the piper's
tune.
The affair was one given in honor
of Patrolman James j. O'Neil at his
residence, 491 Putnam street. O'Neil
is one Of the recent appointees to the
department and his many friends and
acquaintances showered him with
gifts last evening when they con-
gregated at his home.
Patrolman O'Neil was presented
with 500 in gold from the motor
men and conductors of the Connect
cut Co., where he worked as a motor
man for the last six years. The troll
|leymen also supplied the new patrol
man with a complete outfit, consist
ing Of gun, billy, night, day and dress
sticks, nippers and all other articlee
necessary in the duty of patrolman.
To top the presentation off a COM
plete rubber outfit was presented
Patrolman O'Neil by the members of
the trolleymen's union. Friends and
relatives of the new patrolman also
presented him with a purse of 500 in
gold.
Representatives of the Trolleymen' s
Union and the A. o. H. attended the
gathering and addresses of a con-
gratulatory nature were made during
the evening. Several older Patrol
men attended and offered the new po-
liceman ia little fatherly advice.
After the presentations were made
an old fashion Irish dance, one that
would compare favorably with any
ever held in Kerry, took place. Music
for dancing was furnished on a violin,
brought from the old dart, and two
original Kerry flies. Dancing was
kept up until the wee sma' hours Of
the morning while the guests awaited
the return of Patrolman O'Neil, who
was working for the first time as
full-f1edged patrolman from to in
the morning. -
The new policeman was granted
two hours off duty to meet the guests.
Ut was 10 o'clock when he reported
back to work, but the guests were
wont" TO remain until MS return. Up
on his return he told his friends. that
he had already made his first arrest.
The arrest was made on Columbus
Place. 1t was a quarrelsome Portu-
gese negro who refused to keep NOV
ing when so ordered by Patrolmen
John P. Halpin and O'Neil, He was
locked up and in City court~yesterday
he was fined $40 and costs.
Patrolman John Curran, $50
Brooks street, also one of the recent
appointees to the force was present.
ed with a complete outfit and a purse
OF. 5000 in gold by his friends I'M East
Bridgeport and members Of the A. o.
H. Patrolman Curran began work
on the o'clock shift yesterday after
noon. He did not make any arrest
on his first detail.
Other new policemen to figure in
arrests on their first detailment were
William Jaggers, who was
assigned to the Steamboat beat
with Patrolman William Finn; Pa
trolman English, who was assigned to
the beat on Main street, above Mead
DIV street, with Patrolman Grossarth:
Buckley arrested a man
believed to be demented. All the new
policemen appeared in city court |
this morning to testify against their