/5_points/mast_urb_sm.gif
navbar.gif
Page 8
DOINGS AT THE MUNICIPAL STATION-HOUSES
FIRST WARD.
The men of the late Municipal force in the First Ward were assembled at the Station-House over Franklin Market yesterday afternoon at 3’oclock, and the notice of dismissal was read to them, whereupon they proceeded to vest themselves of “city property,” stars, batons, buttons, belts and caps.  They next gathered up such traps and baggage as belonged to them and mostly left.
historyasit.gif
One of the policemen said: “Wud has sint no notice to me to lave the Station-House, and I’ll not lave it; and if the city has a bit of property left in id I’ll have my pay.” [editorial note: the spelling in this quote is faithfully reproduced. It is not a type-o.  It was the reporter’s attempt to capture the policeman’s accent].   Somebody reported that at that time the carmen (sic) down about the door were exhibiting signs of rejoicing at the result.  The policeman remarked with spirit: “Why didn’t you give the sons of b---- a crack in the jaw.  They’ll be getting their jaws broke yet, afore we’re out of this!”  At this moment an officer turned a drunken woman out of the cells and let her go at liberty.  “There,” said the same policeman, “I’m afther (sic) knowin’ that woman two years – whin (sic) myself and another man brought her in – her legs and arrums (sic), and he houldin’ (sic) her head in his hand; and it was below the freezin’ pint (sic), and she stiff wid (sic) the could.”
They evidently took the decision and the mayor’s acquiescence in it rather hard; but they found some consolation in the bright idea advanced by one of them, that the station-house would be wanted again for “Wud’s Watch force.”
*     *     *     *     *     *     *
SIXTH WARD [the Five Points]
At the Sixth Ward Station-House, Capt. Dowling read the order of the Mayor at 4 o’clock.  Alderman Clancy made a speech in which he stated that he had been to the
suggestion1.jpg
Metropolitan Commissioners and had offered, on behalf of the Sixth Ward Municipal Police, their services, without pay, to act in preserving the peace of the Ward until Monday next, under the direction of Capt. Dowling, and himself as a magistrate, but their services were declined.  He predicted that the summary dismissal  of “old and faithful officers” would be met with the just indignation of the public, and that a reaction must follow, which would ultimately result in their being once more in their positions as  guardians of the peace of the city.  Three cheers were given for Capt. Dowling and Alderman Clancy.
Last evening the Station-House presented a very deserted appearance, it having been left in charge of the doorman.  A few of Mayor Wood’s dupes were hanging about, probably from force of habit, and looked like stray sheep just shorn of their fleece.  The blinds were closed; the lamp over the door was shrouded in darkness, and on the whole the old Sixth reminded one of a house of mourning.  Capt. Dowling, upon leaving the Station-House and passing along the streets, was greeted with cheers by the “boys,” who were also lavish in their denunciations of the Metropolitans, and intimated that some of them would get “licked” if they came around.
*     *     *     *     *     *     *
METROPOLITAN  POLICE  COMMISSIONERS.
The decision of the Court of Appeals drew together a larger crowd yesterday than on any previous occasion.  The Commissioners were employed during the whole day in making appointments, in order to have the Wards properly protected.
A flag was stretched over the street in honor of the decision.  The crowd conversing upon the all-absorbing topic, and all were well pleased with the result.
During the day a large number of Mayor Wood’s deluded men, who had clung to him to the last, made their appearance and reported for duty.  These men had repented too late, and having been dismissed, the law explicit declares that they cannot be reappointed.
A large number of special policemen were sworn in to assist in preserving order to-day, and the following permanent appointments were made:

[Listings of names is presented here for each of the Police Precincts]
 *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *
ATTACK UPON METROPOLITAN POLICEMEN. – Yesterday morning Sergeant Van Orden of the Twenty-second Police Precinct, made the following report:
suggestion2.jpg
“About 4 o’clock this morning information was brought to the Station-House that a row had occurred on the Eighth Avenue Railroad stables.  Officers Martin and Casey were dispatched to the scene of the riot, and in attempting to arrest one of the rioters, was set upon by a gang of rowdies who rushed out of a porter-house and assaulted the officers.  Officer Martin was cut on the head but not dangerously.  I am sorry to say, that among the rowdies some of the old police force were identified.”
_________________________
HOW  THE  METROPOLITANS  BEHAVE.
The Eighth Ward Metropolitan Police force had a collation and otherwise made merry in honor of the decision of the Court of Appeals in their favor, and in the Sixteenth Ward the police illuminated their headquarters at Knickerbocker Hall, corner of Eighth avenue and Twenty-third street.  In the Ninth Ward, the Station-House in Jefferson Market building was decorated with flags and streamers.  Every Station-House of the metropolitan Police was visited by large numbers of respectable citizens, who expressed great gratification as regards the decision of the Court of Appeals.  The captains and sergeants of the respective Wards kept busy yesterday shaking hands with their friends who called to congratulate them upon the successful termination of the police question.
________________________
[Note:  Here ends the first part of the FIVE POINTS articles.  The next installment will be the bloody riots of the city gangs on July 4, 1857 ... among them the Bowery Boys and the Dead Rabbits]                                --Gregory J. Christiano