WAS NOT DANGEROUS 1901

SULLIVAN, REILLY, SCHERR, SWEENEY

Posted By: Cheryl Locher Moonen (email)
Date: 12/29/2016 at 20:19:56

Dubuque Daily Telegraph – May 5, 1901

WAS NOT DANGEROUS
~
Officer John L. Sullivan Finds
What He Thought Was a
Infernal Machine
~
Office John L. Sullivan, one of the night force, made an unusual find on his beat last night that was the cause of much speculation on the part of the finder and several citizens whom he consulted regarding the name of the article. It was while the officer was making his rounds in the vicinity of the Fourth Street Elevator station that he picked up with what appeared to be an infernal machine. He carried his find to the elevator station, laid it down carefully on a table and then enlisted the assistance of several bystanders in ascertaining its identity. The officer insisted the thing was an infernal machine and that visions of an intricate piece of detective work in the unraveling in which he would share honors with Detectives Reilly and Sweeney. Another member of the investigation committee said it was a discarded summer bonnet, and still another member of the party was of the opinion it was a piece of hair mattress that had seen better days. After holding a council of war without settling the matter to their satisfaction one of the party proposed that they enlist the assistance of Sergeant Al Scherr in unraveling the mystery. This proposition was agreed to and Officer Sullivan was selected to call up police station by telephone and describe the article to the popular sergeant. After hearing the opinions of the investigation committee Scherr replied that none of them had guessed right; he knew what the thing was and when he mentioned the name, Officer Sullivan was at a loss to know why it was that he and his associates had not guessed what it was long before. The thing was neither an infernal machine, spring net nor piece of mattress. It was a plain every-day woman’s bustle, but of course not every man is expected to be posted on everything worn by members of the fairer sex, not even a guardian of the public peace.