WAPELLO COUNTY

The Ottumwa Democrat, Friday, September 18, 1903 – full page 2 spread

Mayor Pickler and His Splendid Police Force

Never in the history of Ottumwa has there been a time when there was such little crime, or such a small percentage of offenders escaping the law, as at the present and the people generally recognize and appreciate the excellent manner in which the interests of the city are looked after, and order maintained, under the administration of Mayor T. H. Pickler and his splendid police force.

Mayor Pickler gives a large portion of his time to looking after the best interests of the city and is never too busy to give his official duties his careful consideration.  The Mayor gives his special attention to the police force and every officer is selected for his fitness for the position.  To this fact is due to a large extent the notable efficiency which the present corps of faithful guardians of the peace has attained in guarding the property of the citizens and in maintaining order.

In a city the size of Ottumwa one of the most important necessities to the welfare of the city is having a well trained capable set of officers, who are ever vigilant to the duties of their position, and always alert for the suppression and prevention of crime.

The position of policeman is not the snap that a few unthinking people sometimes intimate.  An officer must be brave and courageous.  He is often times required to risk his life and must possess a cool steady nerve in times of danger.  His various duties call at times for tact and discrimination, and he is frequently required to use careful judgment in making an arrest.  He must be quick and perfect physically, morally and mentally. 

The brave officers of the Ottumwa police force, under the direction of one of the best detectives and police officers in the county, Chief of Police John Gray, have attained a degree of perfection and efficiency considered impossible a few years ago.  Every man on the force is well acquainted with all of the people and habitués of his beat.  He knows the criminal tendencies of each individual and when a crime is committed is able to tell within a moment whether or not it was local or foreign talent and who is the likely offender.

A glance over the police records of Ottumwa for the past twenty-five years will substantiate these statements.  It is a fact which cannot be successfully disputed that there are less crimes committed in which the criminal escapes punishment than ever before.  The criminals in the city have a wholesome awe of Chief Gray and his fellow officers and the number of small crimes and depredations committed are few compared with the number that have occurred under previous administrations and in cities of the same size throughout the country.

No crime of any note has been committed within the past few years without the perpetrator being caught and punished according to the law.

Years of experience have made the present officers adept in detecting criminals and when a stranger lights in the city he is at once sized up and if there is anything suspicious in his looks or actions he is kept under careful surveillance.

That the police of Ottumwa are always alert to their duty is evidenced by the fact of the large number of dangerous criminals from other places who are captured here.  Ottumwa which used to be considered throughout the state as a hot-bed of crime and an unsafe place to live in has now attained a reputation for being an unsafe place for a fugitive from justice to light and its police system is regarded by officials all over the country as a splendid one.

 The Morning Democrat believes the faithful officers deserving of much credit, it is due them, and for this reason gives a short account of each one and two photographs showing the members in uniform.

CHIEF JOHN GRAY.
Chief of Police John W. Gray is a worthy head for the splendid force of patrolmen and has done much to bring the force up to its present state of efficiency.  Mr. Gray is a natural born detective and years of experience has made him adept in tracking criminals.  He has been connected with the police force in Ottumwa for over ten years.  He was deputy sheriff for one year, and merchant’s police for four years. During his service as merchant’s police, it is a matter of record, that he captured more criminals and convicted them of penitentiary offenses than the entire republican police force.  Mayor T. J. Phillips recognized the ability of Mr. Gray as an officer and appointed him Night Captain, in a position he filled with credit for four years.  When Mayor Pickler was elected for the first term, Capt. Gray was advanced to the position of Chief of Police and was reappointed last spring.

Chief Gray is a fearless, efficient officer and the people of Ottumwa have confidence in his ability to properly look after the interests of the city.  During his years of service in police circles, Chief Gray has made many important captures and a few of the most notable were as follows:

Edward Curran and James Walsh had robbed two tailor shops one night and Chief Gray was notified.  He came down town in company with Captain Gallagher, and went to the Fisher tailor shop where the robbers were caught.  Both were convicted and sent to the penitentiary.

Fletch Franklin, one of the most notorious outlaws of southern Missouri was caught single handed by Chief Gray in the livery barn of Mr. Hoogewooning on South Union street.  This was the first time that Franklin had ever been arrested.  He had a 45 calibre revolver on his person and tried to regain possession of it after Chief Gray had taken it from him.  The gun is now a part of the Chief’s collection at the police station.  Franklin was taken to Missouri for trail and was sent to the pen for three years.  The team he had stolen was also recovered by Chief Gray and turned over to its rightful owner.  Franklin was wanted for stealing horses and killing a sheriff.

George Lesan, a colored man was arrested by Chief Gray in Springer’s feed store in South Ottumwa.  Edwards was wanted for murder, and had a revolver when arrested, but was given no opportunity to use it.  The sheriff from Missouri, in taking him back for trial, had a six foot chain around his neck.  Lesan tried to escape and was shot fourteen times and killed.

Charles Overstreet and Charles Edwards were arrested in a dive in Smoky Row by Captain Gray and Officers Noah and Peterson.  It was necessary to break in the door to get them and when arrested the men had four revolvers.  Edwards was recently killed by the deputy sheriff at Bloomfield, while trying to escape with a team of stolen horses.

The first arrest Mr. Gray made after being appointed Night Captain was a colored man, accused of robbing a man of $5.00.  He was convicted and sent to the penitentiary for a term of five years, or one year for each dollar.

George Wilson, who entered the house of Henry Throne and stole a quantity of jewelry was arrested the next day by Chief Gray, while attempting to pawn some of the jewelry at one of the local pawn shops.  He was convicted and sent to the penitentiary.

Charles Reynolds was arrested while trying to blow open the safe in the Fisher tailor shop.  His arrest was one of the nerviest ever made in the city, as the burglar had a loaded revolver and would have used it but for the fact that Chief Gray got the drop on him first.

When policeman Ed Graves was shot by Pittsmier, Sheriff Stodghill called on Merchant’s Police John Gray to assist in arresting the murderer and he was to fight the entire family when making the arrest, and Mr. and Mrs. Pittsmier and two sons were brought to the city jail.  Mr. Gray received a severe blow on the head from a chair in the hands of one of the Pittsmiers.

Abe Smith and Joe Warner, who stole harness from John Morgan, W.H. Stevens and B. Ballagh, and shipped to Cedar Rapids to be sold were arrested by Chief Gray and the stolen property recovered.  Warner was discharged and Smith was sent to the Ft. Madison penitentiary.

These are only a few of the important arrests made by Chief Gray during the time he has been a police officer, and the record shows the time he has been successful in apprehending criminals.  He has a wider knowledge of the dangerous classes of Ottumwa than any other officer ever on the police force. 

CAPTAIN GALLAGHER.
Night Captain Peter Gallagher has been associated with the police department about six years.  He was appointed in March, 1897, under Mayor Phillips, as a patrolman and was advanced by Mayor Pickler to the position of Night Captain.  Mr. Gallagher is an efficient officer and eminently qualified for the position.  He is familiar with the ways of crooks and knows all of the professional bad ones in the city.  He has assisted in the capture of many noted criminals, one of the most dangerous being the arrest of Andrew Tucker, the Omaha murderer, last July at the Packing House.  Many other criminals have been apprehended under the direction of Captain Gallagher and the best of order is maintained in the city at night.  The people of Ottumwa can go to sleep with a feeling of security, trusting their lives and property to the vigilance of Captain Gallagher and his men.

SERGEANT MORRISSEY.
Michael Morrissey, the genial desk sergeant at the police station during the day, has been identified with the police department in the city of Ottumwa for nine years.  He was first elected City Marshall, the voters of Ottumwa giving him a large majority.  The republican council tried to belittle his worth as an officer in every possible way and tried to force him from the position by reducing his salary to a pittance of $10 a year.  Mr. Morrissey appealed to the district court and the decision was against the city council.  He served under both administrations of Mayor Phillips and is serving his second term with Mayor Pickler.  He is a capable officer and his duties are many.  All of the prisoners are searched before being confined in the jail and a record kept of their belongings and the arrest.  Mr. Morrissey is equally at home whether attending to his duties at the station of commanding a platoon of police, gracing the head of a parade on some gala occasion.

SERGEANT GRAMMER.
Night Desk Sergeant Jesse Grammer is one of the youngest and best officers that ever wore a star.  During the absence on account of illness of Chief of Police Gray this summer, Mr. Grammer officiated as Night Captain and made an enviable record for himself.  Mr. Grammer has been a member of the police force for over three years, having been first appointed during the second administration of Mayor Phillips and retained by Mayor Pickler.  At all times he has filled the position with credit to himself and the department.

OFFICER G. A. PITTS.
One of the oldest and best officers on the force is G. A. Pitts.  He was first appointed by Mayor Duncan and succeeding administrations recognized his worth and retained him.  He has served under Mayors Burgess, LaForce, Phillips, and Pickler.  He has been a patrolman for about twelve years and his experience has made him one of the best policemen to be found in the country. He always uses good judgment and has the reputation of being a careful and efficient officer.

OFFICER LEVI NOAH.
Levi Noah is another one of the old timers and is one of the best natured and bravest officers that ever wore a uniform.  He has had ten years of experience  in helping to keep the city orderly and has the record of having done his duty at all times.  Officer Noah was first appointed by Mayor Burgess and served four years under Mayor Phillips and was re-appointed by Mayor Pickler.  He has the Union depot beat and all offenders are promptly taken care of.

OFFICER W. H. BLACK.
Officer W. H. Black,  is one of the largest and best officers that Ottumwa has ever had.  He stands over 6 feet and is capable of handling the most ambitious of the evil doers.  He patrols East Main street between Green and Jefferson and is popular with the residents of that vicinity as well as with his fellow officers.  A glance at the daily records will show that Officer Black is fearless in the performance of his duty and is ever on the alert to discover violation of the law and arrest the offender.

OFFICER JOSEPH BEEMAN.
Officer Joseph Beeman has the East Main street between Green and Jefferson streets in the day time.  He is not only a capable, efficient officer, but a popular one as well.  He has arrested some bad ones and the best of order is maintained on his district.  It was Officer Beeman who gave C. E. Griffith such a close chase that he was compelled to drop a quantity of stolen brass to make his escape.  The man would have been captured if the officer had not been almost a block away when he discovered the thief coming from the Siegel Junk store.  Officer Beeman is faithful in the performance of his duty and has proven himself to be a splendid officer for that difficult beat.

OFFICER MATT MIER.
Matt Mier has what is considered the worst district in the city, Smoky Row.  Mr. Mier is on duty in the day time and has demonstrated his ability to handle the crooks that abound in that district.  The residents of that vicinity always try to impose on a new officer, but it didn’t take them long to find out that Officer Matt Mier was not to be trifled with.  He is a hustler and has been instrumental in unearthing some very clever plots to rob the railroads and has brought the thieves to justice.  Officer Mier was appointed by Mayor Pickler in April of this year.

OFFICER NELSON.
Axel Nelson keeps peace in the Smoky Row district from early evening until early morning.  This district, which was once notorious for the amount of crime, which was committed and went unpunished within its precincts, has become as quiet and orderly as possible.  The midnight sounds of revelry, quarrelling and fighting are now heard but seldom and all offenders are promptly taken to the city jail.  Officer Nelson has had several narrow escapes while discharging his duties as an officer and on several occasions has been made the target for the pistol practice of escaping criminals.

OFFICER C. C. WILKINSON.
C. C. Wilkinson is one of the night officers and has Battle Row for part of the district he patrols.  This is in the heart of the business district and is one of the most difficult to handle in the city.   Mr. Wilkinson was desk sergeant under Mayor Phillips and was accidentally shot and injured so that his life was despaired of for a time.  However, his days of usefulness to the community were not over and he recovered and was re-appointed under the second administration of Mayor Pickler.  He is a splendid officer and has done a good service in preserving order in the city.

OFFICER WILLIAM MALONEY.
Officer William Maloney, “one of the jolliest and bravest officers that ever graced a star” is on duty on the Union depot at night.  Officer Maloney is well fitted for the difficult duties of this beat and has a good record.  Officer Maloney has been on the force almost nine years, having been appointed by Mayor Burgess and retained by Mayors Phillips and Pickler.

OFFICER SUTTON.
Officer Clarence Sutton was appointed by Mayor Pickler in the early spring of this year.  He is energetic and fearless and is fast making a record for himself in which any officer might be proud.  He has the West End beat of nights and makes a goodly number of arrests of law breakers.  A thief tracked and arrested by Officer Sutton a few weeks ago was convicted of robbery and held to the grand jury.

OFFICER M’BRIDE.
Stephen McBride was appointed by Mayor Picker in March of 1902.  He has the day shift on the South Side and that part of the city is one of the most orderly to be found anywhere.  Officer McBride is ever on the alert and is considered by the South Ottumwa people as one of the best officers the South Side ever had.

OFFICER HESS.
Peter Hess has been on the police force about four years.  He was appointed during the administration of Mayor Phillips and later by Mayor Pickler.  He has the night shift on the South Side, and while it is probably one of the most lonesome beats in the city, nevertheless it requires constant attention and Officer Hess is generally kept busy.

OFFICER MUNGOVERN.
Thomas Mungovern is one of the new men, having been appointed by Mayor Pickler in December, 1901.  He has proven to be a good officer and is quite popular.  He has the West End beat during the day.

OFFICER PASNAU.
John Pasnau, the genial stone pile policeman, has served several years on the police force.  He has charge of a desperate gang and it requires his careful attention to see that each makes enough little ones out of big ones during the day, that none escape.

OFFICER PICKLER.
Officer Frank Pickler, although he has been on the force but a short time has made a good record.  He has the East End beat and at times the Smoky Row beat.  He is faithful in the performance of his duty and is popular as well as capable.

SANITARY POLICEMAN.
Henry Arnold has the difficult position of sanitary policeman and fills the office with credit to himself and the department.  The duties of this office are arduous and require constant attention.

DRIVER GEORGE RYTTENBERG.
The difficult position of patrol and ambulance driver is ably filled by Mr. George Ryttenberg.  The ambulance or patrol are in use at all hours of the day and night and it requires a great deal of patience to be always good natured. Mr. Ryttenberg is admirably qualified to fill the position  He was for several years driver of the Mail wagons and later was assistant Chief of the fire department.  He made a record to be proud of while on the fire department and was one of the quickest and bravest of the firemen.  He was made a patrol and ambulance driver by Mayor Pickler last spring.  He thoroughly understands the care of horses and the beauty of the ambulance team and all appurtenances under the care of Mr. Ryttenberg never fail to awaken the admiration of all who witness the splendid horses on a run.