The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1919-06-21
BIG BILL" DEVERY
FALLS DEAD IN n. Y.
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ment as a patrolman June 10, 1878,
at the age of twenty-three. He was
made a roundsman September 16, 1881,
and a captain December 80. 1891.
Became n Storm Center.
Mr.. Devery became a political and
| social storm center when in 1898 the
late Mayor Van Wick, on recon-
mendation OF Richard Croker, ap-
pointed him chief of police. 1t was
the first time in a half century, at
least, that a member of the uni
formed force had been placed in COM
mand Of the department. There was
| a great howl from "reformers" and
| they Joined in condemning the mayor
and began an organized fusilIade up
! on Devery.
These ducks think cop cannot
command cops I'll show en-" said
/ Devery.
One Of his first opportunities came
with the strike of the, B. r. T. en-
ployes. Thousands of conductors,
drivers, switchmen and the few
motormen then employed, united in
insisting that no cars should move.
Devery said they would move and
that citizens had a right to pass
between their homes and business
without delay or molestation.
Night Stick Routed Rioters.
He placed himself at the head Of .
small squad of his men along Fulton
street. got out his big stick and belt
ed a few rioters. They fed in dis
may. By the time the State militia
g. a..
to do except maintain order. big
Bill" had nipped the attempt to force
all travel to cease at the very be-
ginning.
Because of this feat the New York
Sun, which had been most virulent
in its attacks upon Van Wyck and
Devery. christened Devery The best
chief of police New York ever had"
DeVery's dexterity was exhibited
when he was called upon to handle
big red flag meeting in Washington
Square. He was advised to stop 1t.
He refused. Then he was all but di-
rected to dispense it. He declined.
His wisdom was indicated.
Kept Audience Away.
Devery permitted the speakers and
a handful of listeners to gather in
the center of the square. Then he
threw a strong line Of bluecoats
about them and ordered everybody
else from the square. The speakers
talked a few minutes TO practically
no hearers and quit in disgust. Dew
cry said: -,
IF I'd dispersed them there would
have been some broken heads and
maybe lives lost. Give 'em the vel
vet hand and they will talk their
heads off and quit"
A PIatt-OdelI legislature threw
Devery out of office in February l9ol.
Mayor Van Wyck Immediately ap
nointed Michael c. Murphy commits
sioner of police. He quickly mauS
Devery his deputy. Devery served
until ne was ousted by Mayor Low
a Republican, in 1902.
Entered Active Politics.
Then Devery entered active politics.
He became a candidate for leader OF
the old Ninth district and ran against
Frank ]. Goodwin the John c. Sherman
choice for Tammany leader. He in
sisted he was counted out.
IN 1904 Devery was candidate TOT
delegate to the Democratic State con-
vention. Again he claimed to have
been chosen, but the Democratic con
vention powers threw him and his as
sociates out.
Devery voted for Roosevelt for
President and forgot politics in bust
ness. He formed a burglar alarm
company, bought real estate at Far
Rockaway and made a fortune. he
established a beautiful home close to
the residence Of Charles L. Hughes IN
West End avenue and a country place
at the sea that was the resort Of many
Of his old cronies. Recently he EN-
barked in the cotton netting business.
This also was lucrative.
Some DeVeryisms.
Here are some Deveryisms:
whenever you hear a man raisin'
a howl about how rotten the New
York police force is, watch him-he's
tryin' to grab something.
You can't learn politics in college
and in no school but experience. If you
try you get nothin' but the sore heart.
Il never was in politics; 1 was just
skyIarkin.
You can't make too many arrests
provided you've got any suspicion
that the fellow you're arrestin' amt
on the square. You can tell a crook
by the company he keeps. There
were only three hold-ups in my
time.
u never loved anything so much !
as the old pump in Twenty eighth |
street 1 used to visit ii every night. |
l got tired of seem dogs wear seal !
skin pants on West End avenue. l !
am always the same old plain Bill |
Devery.
Where did l get my money? a