Year: 1879

A DRUNKEN MAN, AFTER NARROW ESCAPE


FROM DROWNING, LOCKED UP FOR A NIGHT


IN HIS WET cLorHTs-ARE THE POLICE TO


BLAME?


The steamship California arrived here on last Sun
day. and the storms she had weathered had some
what damaged her she was put on the sectional
dock. foot of Pike street. East River and force Of
workmen was employed to repair her. Among
them was John Brown. boiler maker. given to
drink, without regular home and accustomed to
sleep in cheap lodging houses. When sober he was
considered q good workman. He went to work on
Monday and continued at it until Thursday evening.
when. with friends. he drank to excess
in celebration Of the day. At late hour he
started the dock and in staggering about there he
his footing aud fell into the river His cries for
help brought some fellow workmen to his
and he pulled ont Of the icy water shivering
him to sobrety and he was sent home by his rescu-
ers. Some hours later Policeman McSweeney found
him leaning against awning post Mt the corner Of
Monroe and Catherine streets. and took him to the
Seventh precinct station house on charge OF intoxi
cation. The sergeant when Brown was brought in.
ordered him to be taken once to cell and locked
up. The prisoner forthwith, in his wet and
frozen clothes. thrust into one and remained there
some hours He was then taken to Essex Market
Court, which he entered pitable looking object.


SUBJECT FOR THE HOSPITAL


Policeman McSweeney told Justice Duffy that he
had asked the prisoner his name and address, but
could get no answer from him. Browns clothes
commenced to steam in the court room, his
teeth chartered and he seemed about to drop faint
ing on the floor. He said he had drank too much
the night before, and related his falling into the
river, rescue subsequent arrest and incarceration
He added that in the morning when he came out of
his cell another policeman caught him by the hair
and threw him four feet. Justice Duffy committed
him for ve days. saying that be might in that time
''be ft subject for hospital Tho
prisoner was then taken with q violent
chill He WAS removed at once to the court prison,
where his wet hes taken of him and he
wrapped up In blankets. The reporter found him
seated the register. the full heat turned on. yet
he shook II he had the palsy. His face purple
in color He said the police had treated him very
inhumanly. At twelve o'clock he discharged
by order OF Justice Duffy. who, It is sad changed
his decision upon statement from the warden that
the man was litter subject for u hospital than the
prison. A physician named Lee. who called In to
see Brown, said he liable to have attack
OF pneumonia. 1t said the warden gave Brown
coffee and brandy. but the latter denied that no
ceivsd either aud added he had not even been given
breaefast. 1t then halr-past eleven in the day.


The police claim that Browns clothing was not
noticed to be wet and that the prisoner did not
ton about falling into the river. They explain the
story about pulling his hair in this when his
name was called out the doorkeeper said, "He must
be an Irishman." Brown answered. "No. am an
Englishuan." The doorkeeper then shook hands
with him; nothing moro. They add that it is their
custom to strip man when lie is wet through aud
vrap him In blankets.