The Lady Was A Dope Thief

I didn't see any follow-up, so I assume so got away with the heist. Between 1914 and 1924, doctors could prescribe opiates, so that explains the presence of the drugs. The pharmacy was in Hyde Square, at the current location of a tattoo shop. Just goes to show that drug crimes didn't begin in the 1960s.

Boston Globe March 31, 1917

Mysterious Drug Woman Eludes Police Chase

The mysterious young woman who "cleaned up" 30 grains of morphine sulphate, 30 grains of hydrochlorate of morphine, 20 grains of cocaine, 40 grains of heroin and half an ounce of powdered opium, at the pharmacy of William A. Lynch at 380 Centre st, Jamaica Plain, Thursday afternoon, was still at large at a late hour last evening, though the police have clews that may result in an arrest. The large amount and the variety of the narcotics taken is spurring on to a thorough canvass of West Roxbury by special officers.

The young woman entered the store and said she was ill. While the clerk was trying to assist her she swept off the drug shelf. The police secured a detailed description of the young woman.

Hoodlum Heist Hideaway Raided

Daily Boston Globe, June 2, 1949

Juvenile 'Gang' Rounded Up in Tent Hideout

Three 15-year-old Jamaica Plain "bad men" were under arrest last night after police raided their tent hide-out in the wooded hills overlooking Jamaica Pond, where the trio "lived like kings" for seven days and from which they launched nightly forays to steal food and money.

Capt Frank Hennessey of the Jamaica Plain Station said the arrest of three boys solved an epidemic of store breaks in the district and the thefts of several bicycles.

The Bureau of Missing Persons said the trio's apprehension ended a state-wide search for the boys, whose parents reported them missing May 22 and have been frantic with worry since.

Medical Examiner Timothy Leary identified the tent in which the trio had made their headquarters as belonging to his grandchildren, which was stolen from the rear of his home at 44 Burroughs st, Jamaica Plain last week.

The boys will be arraigned in West Roxbury Juvenile Court tomorrow.

Police said they found five bicycles, a wide variety of provisions, and a plentiful supply of comic books in the "gang's" hideaway.

According to the police, the trio set up the tent on one of the private estates overlooking the pond and moved the location from day to day to avoid detection.

A "Jimmy Fund" back containing $8.08, stolen in a break at a Centre st. bakery, was among the loot, police said.

The trio dieted on canned goods, candy and even prepared cooked meals according to detectives.

Police said the three boys would be questioned regarding handbag snatches in the neighborhood and said they answered the description of three boys wanted in connection with the theft of a purse from Mrs. Elizabeth Jones of 135 Williams st., Jamaica Plain.

Jamaica Plain Vice

I've written about crime in 1870s Jamaica Plain, so it's only fair that I add this entry I found recently regarding a police action in the 1970s. The following is taken from a police report that made its way in to the records of the building permits department. What we have here is the intersection of technology and changing social norms that came out of the post-War years all across America. The location described below is now a popular restaurant at the top of McBride street near South street. I don't remember the event, although I'm sure I heard about it at the time. I also have no doubt that I would have known many of the five hundred (!) present. As the events are contemporary - or at least contemporary to those of us of my age - I've decided to leave out the names of those arrested. My how times have changed!




City of Boston - Police Department

Division 13

Date of Report: November 9, 1973

DRUGS ( ) GAMING ( ) PROSTITUTION AND VICE (X)


Location: 5 McBride street, J.P.

Date and time: November 6, 1973, 9:15 pm

Description of premises: One story wood and brick cafe.

Arresting and Searching Officers: Captains Bulens & Quinlan, Sergt. WT O'Brien, Dets. Smith & Bradley (13), Dets Miller & McCormick (VCU).

Crime(s) Charged: Exhibiting obscene film, allowing premises to be used, hindering & delaying investigator of BPD by refusing to open locked door, overcrowding of limit of 169 to 500 persons on premises, no license to exhibit film or conduct amusement at any time.

Property seized: $744.00 US Currency, 150 admission tickets, one closed circuit TV cassette reproducer by which film was displayed over TV receivers on premises.

At about 9:15 p.m., Tuesday, November 6, 1973, within named police officers abetted by Search Warrant #03929, issued in West Roxbury Court, entered within described premises and found 500 persons, each having purchased admission tickets of $5.00 each, viewing obscene film entitled "Deep Throat" on TV receivers on the premises furnished by cassette reproducer seized on premises as evidence.

When Jamaica Plain Was Dry

Boston Daily Globe February 19, 1921


Jamaica Plain Police Prosecute Cleanup


The liquor squad of the Jamaica Plain station spent the greater part of yesterday in the West Roxbury District Court.

Vincent Zambelli and Thomas L. Williams, charged with an illegal sale of whisky to a police officer at the barber shop, 736 Centre st on Feb. 7, were fined $50 each. They appealed.

Martin Costello and William Connolly, charged with an illegal sale at 3008 Washington st on Feb 7, were also fined $50 each. They appealed.

In the late afternoon, Federal Enforcement Agents Rogers and McNulty, wiht Sergt Healy and Sergt Fitzpatrick and Patrolman Foley, visited the store of Thomas Normile, 169 Lamartine st. The police claim that when they entered the clerk succeeded in breaking a bottle containing what they supposed was liquor. No liquor was found.

They then visited the store of John J. O'Connor, 430 Amory st, where they claim to have seized 2 1/2 gallons of liquor.

The Great Greenough Caper

The reference to "stone knee buckles set in silver" found below set me a-Googling. The only hits I got for the full phrase were for two theft cases from the Proceedings of the Old Bailey, London, dated 1766 and 1772. Knee buckles in general were a common adornment, used to secure the kneeband of breeches.



The Herald of Freedom May 20, 1791


Fifty Dollars Reward.


Last night the HOUSE of the Subscriber was broken open, and the following articles Stolen, viz.

A large Gold WATCH, with Gold Face, a Stone Seal with arms, set in Gold, a Silver WATCH, Silver Soup Spoon, a pair of Sugar Tongs and 12 Tea Spoons, and 1 Table Spoon, marked with a Cypher A. D. A Large Silver Tobacco Box, with arms on the top, a Silver Cross (or Stand) for the middle of a table, with arms, 2 Table Spoons marked H. D. a small Silver Funnel with a strainer, an oval Plated Tea Pot, a Plated Punch Ladle fluted, a pair of Stone Knee Buckles set in Silver, &c. &c.

Whoever will apprehend the Thief or Thieves, so that he or they may be brought to Justice, shall receive the above reward from me the Subscriber.

DAVID S.GREENOUGH.

Roxbury, Jamaica Plain, May 19, 1791.

Mean Streets of Jamaica Plain

The good news: criminals seem to have given up on the garrot. The bad news: now they use guns.


Boston Daily Globe December 7, 1872


Jamaica Plain.


Garroting Revived. -- About nine o'clock on Thursday night, as Mr. David Keezer, a provision dealer in Green street at Jamaica Plain, was returning home, he was set upon by two men on Greenough avenue, one of whom garroted him and attacked him with a club, cutting his head open, while the other robbed him of between $300 and $400. He was insensible for some time, but finally recovered sufficiently to crawl into his house, where he was attended by physicians. He is in an exceedingly weak and feeble condition to-day, not being able to leave his bed.

Kids And Guns

Here are two stories from early in the last century, both involving children and guns. The first has an element of humor, while the second is pure tragedy.



Boston Daily Globe March 19, 1913


Asks To Be Kept In Cell.

Jamaica Plain Boy, Held in Shooting Case, Escapes From Juvenile Home but Police Send Him Back.


Preferring a cell in the Jamaica Plain police station to the comparative liberty of a juvenile home in Wellesley, Charles A. Burrows, 14 years old, of 37 School st, Jamaica Plain, who was held in $3000 bonds on a charge of assault with a loaded revolver on Carl G.A. Danielson of 41 School st, Jamaica Plain, made his escape from the institution yesterday afternoon.

The boy was arrested Saturday evening and spent Sunday in the Jamaica Plain Police Station, where he became friendly with the patrolmen. He was given in charge of the State Board of Charity Monday and was sent to the Wellesley institution.

After dinner yesterday he was allowed with the other children to play on the grounds of the home, and eluding an attendant he walked in upon his astonished parents just as they had finished the evening meal. He said he had no intention of escaping the authorities, but told them he did not like Wellesley and was perfectly willing to return to a cell in the Jamaica Plain Station.

Accompanied by his mother, he walked to the station house, where he greeted the patrolmen like old friends and went to a cell with a smile of satisfaction.

Hardly had he reached the cell when a telephone message from Headquarters was received ordering that the boy be sent at once to meet a representative of the Wellesley institution. He was accordingly taken back.

While Burrows and the other boys were playing "Wild West" at Franklin Park, Danielson was shot in the abdomen and is now lying at the City Hospital in serious condition. Burrows admitted he shot the lad with a 22-caliber revolver which he had bought that morning, but insisted it was accidental.



June 24, 1916


Absolve Hickox Of Myers' Death

Acquitted of Charge of Manslaughter

Accidentally Fired Revolver in Jamaica Plain Store

Officer Pulsifer, Its Owner, Breaks Down in Court



George HIckox, who fired the shot from a policeman's revolver which killed 14-year-old Kenneth T. Myers in a store at 95 Boylston st, Jamaica Plain, on the evening of June 16, was freed of the charge of manslaughter by Judge Perrins in the West Roxbury court yesterday.

Patrolman Pulsifer of the Jamaica Plain station, who owned the weapon, broke down and wept during his testimony. Especially was he affected when the revolver was handed to him for a demonstration of how he handed it to Hickox before the accidental shooting.

Pulsifer had been telling of the incidents leading to the accident when his gaze rested on his revolver. Then he put out his hand and, taking the weapon, lowered his head, unable to continue his testimony for two minutes.

Patrolman Pulsifer told of going into the store where Hickox was clerk, and the conversation in which he was asked his opinion about a new revolver the clerk had in the rear of the store. Hickox expressed surprise when told that it was worth about $1.50, and to explain the small value Pulsifer brought out his own revolver to show the greater grip.

A few seconds after Hickox received the officer's weapon there was an explosion from the revolver. Pulsifer testified that Hickox was startled by the shot and asked him (Pulsifer) if he was hit, and receiving a negative reply, asked young Myers the same question.

The lad also said no and started for the door of the store, but grew faint. The officer caught him before he fell, carried him to a table in the rear of the store and gave him a drink of water. The boy asked what the matter was and Pulsifer said he told him he had been frightened and fainted. He said Hickox was much upset and exclaimed "Why did I take that into my hand?"

Capt. Joseph Harriman of Station 13 told of first hearing of the shooting when informed by Medical Examiner McGrath, on the morning of June 17, of the bullet hole in the boy's body. Then Pulsifer and Hickox were sent for, and the officer's story was substantially that of his testimony on the stand.

Charl Schleich, aged 10, of 1 Jess st, who was in the store at the time of the shooting and was sent after a doctor, also testified, corroborating the facts as told by the principal witnesses.

Then Hickox went to the stand, and his story agreed with that of Pulsifer, that the shot was purely accidental.

Hickox was represented by Sewell C. Brackett, who argued that as his client had never fired a shot before in his life and was unfamiliar with firearms, his finger naturally went to the trigger, and in turning it over the shot was accidentally fired. Capt Harriman, who, with Inspector Greavey of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation, conducted the prosecution, made no arguments.

Judge Perrins, in summing up, said that the case was one of the "didn't know it was loaded" variety, and that the whole affair was simply a regrettable incident. As far as had been shown, he stated, there was absolutely no malice or evil intent in the affair and he ordered HIckox freed.

Chinese On Trial

This is the kind of article that leaves me wondering whether I read it correctly. Newspaper articles from these years were not shy about describing suicides and terrible injuries, but sexual matters tend to be cloaked in euphemism. I expect that the reader was trusted to understand exactly what was being implied, but I find it difficult in this case to know whether I might be reading too much into the wording of the article. We have a 15 year old girl with a new baby, and an assault the previous year. Is that assault as in a kick in the pants, or is it something else? Hmmm... We do learn without doubt that there was a Chinese laundry on South street in 1921. We also see another case of Jamaica Plain boys trying to "rescue a prisoner." There seems to have been a lot of that going on before the days of portable radios.



Boston Daily Globe October 26, 1921


Chinese On Trial On Girl's Complaint

Assault by Laundryman and His Partner Alleged

Three Jamaica Plain Youths Fined for Attack on Officer


The West Roxbury Court, Judge Perrins presiding, was in session until 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon, establishing a record for that court.

Woo Yee, a Jamaica Plain Chinese, was arraigned on charges of assault brought by a 15-year-old girl, who carried in her arms an infant born to her several weeks ago. She alleged that Woo Yee and Yeo Sam, Yee's partner in a laundry on South st, Jamaica Plain, assaulted her in 1920.

Lee Yam, a well-known Chinese of the West End, was brought to court by officers who had been misled by Yee Sam, now a fugitive from justice. Sam met with officers while they were searching for him and pointed out Lee Yam as the man named in the warrant. Yam was discharged.

The case against Woo Yee was carried over until today when the defence will present its case.

The girl said, during her testimony, that she visited Woo Yee several times voluntarily.


Arthur W. McLaughlin, 21; Mark Kelley, 19, and Joseph F. Vogel, 18, all of Jamaica Plain, were each fined $10 on a charge of assault of battery and $25 for attempting to rescue a prisoner. The charges resulted from alleged attacks on Special Officer Malcolm Campbell during a dance-hall disturbance two weeks ago. They appealed.

The Great Comb Caper

On May 1, 1900, police chased a man through the streets of Jamaica Plain, as described here. Perhaps inspired by that incident, just a few days later the boys of Call street decided to get in on the act, and chased four young men through the streets. Hilarity ensues. In the end, the chase was far more impressive than the crime.


Boston Daily Globe May 6, 1900


Hot Thief Chase.

Jamaica Plain Stirred Up Once More.

Four Men Followed by an Army of Yelling Youngsters.

Finally Apprehended and Placed in Cells.

They Tell a Queer Story of Their Experiences.

Admit They Stole From Boston & Maine Freight Car.


Once again Jamaica Plain was stirred up over the chasing of thieves by the police of that section when about 6 o'clock last evening, after another cross-country run, four men fell into the hands of the officers of the law. They are William Scholes, John Dwyer, Joseph Keller and Frank Costello.

Some boys playing on Call st. near the tracks of the New York, New Haven & Hartford railroad, saw four men walk along the tracks, and when a little beyond the Jamaica Plain station step out on to the bank. In a moment they lay down. The boys gathered to see the men go to sleep, as they supposed, on the railroad bank. One of them suggested that they tell the "cops," and the idea was at once approved by all the youngsters. They had gone but a short distance on their errand when they met officer William M. Frank, and they told him about "some fellers on the railroad bank."

As soon as the men saw the policeman coming they ran down the bank, jumped the fence to Call st and started to run. Frank dashed after them. He grabbed one, who proved later to be Frank Costello, and started for the station with him.

The other three men had run down Call st and turning into Everett st went up the hill. At their heels was a mob of 50 boys yelling like wild Indians. Up the hill they went, past some of Jamaica Plain's finest residents and through some intricate turnings on to Revere st. At the foot of Revere st is the police station and directly toward it the fleeing men were running. All along the route of the chase windows were opened by residents, startled by the racket, and excited voices were heard inquiring, "What's the matter?"

In the station house were Lieut Chase, Sergt Bruce and patrolman Berry. Their attention was attracted by the noise, and glancing out of the window saw the men coming down the hill pursued by the boys. Running out of the station they arrived at the street at the same time the men had reached that spot. Patrolman Berry grabbed Wm. Scholes and turned him over to Lieut Chase. Sergt Bruce captured Joseph Keller. There was only one remaining, and he turned down Maple pl and jumping over a fence got into Brown pl. But Berry was at his heels and soon had him. He proved to be John Dwyer.

When questioned at the station Scholes said he was 20 years old and his home was in Springfield. Dwyer gave his age as 20 and his home in Montreal. Cantello said he was 16 and lived at 224 Harrison av, Boston. Keller said his residence was at Peabody and that he was 21.

They told the police they had been working on cattle ships, coming across on the Kansas, which arrived in Boston last Monday. After leaving the boat they went over the road to Portland, Me. Thursday night they started back to Boston, walking to Portsmouth, N.H. At this place they were given permission by a freight brakeman to ride on his train. Soon after leaving Lynn the train stopped, either to leave or take on some more cars. One of them found a car open, and all four went in. Seeing a good-sized box there, they took it out and opened it. It was filled with combs. After dividing the spoils, they put the box back into the car. Then they went further back on the train, and getting onto another car, came to Boston, arriving yesterday morning.

When asked what they were doing out in Jamaica Plain, they said they were on their way to Hyde Park, where they expected to get lodgings at a police station over night. It was their intention to sell the combs later.

The men were placed in cells to await their trial Monday morning in the West Roxbury district court.

For some time past the section has been the field for a lot of petty thieving, house breaking, while families were away, and the like. The patrolmen have had strict orders to keep their eyes open for suspicious characters. That this is being done is evidenced by the fact that during the past week nine men have been arrested by the police of the division, and have proved to be important captures. Besides this a number of suspicious characters have been followed and driven out of the district.

Capt Brown is determined to clear the section of the house workers, and he is being ably supported by those under him.

The Gangs Of Jamaica Plain

I've tried to balance entries describing church meetings and honored veterans with articles featuring crime and poverty. At the same time that Catholic church parishes could host thousands for annual celebrations, those same neighborhoods could also produce young men ready to kick a policeman in the head. If we want to remember the good old days in J.P., we need to keep in mind the less savory element of the community. Life in turn of the century Jamaica Plain was not all Footlight Club plays and Tuesday Club teas. In an earlier entry, a newspaper article refers to residents Jamaica Plain during these same years hiring watchmen to protect their property from break-ins.

I try to copy the newspaper articles as accurately as possible, so if the spelling of a name changes, I'm following what I find. Sometimes, deciphering the type is difficult, so I have to guess at the words and spelling. Did you get the cinematic referece in the title above?


Boston Daily Globe April 21, 1907


Gang Took His Club And Gun

Patrolman McKinnon Badly Used Up.

Unknown Man Had Been Robbed in Jamaica Plain.

Officer Then Came on scene -- Two Arrests.


Patrolman McKinnon of division 13 was assaulted by a crowd of men on Keyes st, Jamaica Plain, last night, and John J. Dolan, 20 years old, of 53 Call st and Edward J. Dolan, 23, of 40 Orchard st, were arrested shortly afterward, charged with the assault.

An unknown man was held up by a gang of young men about 12:30, near the corner of Washington and Keyes sts, and was beaten and robbed. McKinnon came upon the scene and the gang fled. The officer overhauled them on Keyes st, near the railroad bridge where they turned upon him.

There were six in the crowd and they speedily overpowered the officer. He was thrown to the ground and his assailantw took his club and revolver from him and used the club on him.

In the meantime somebody had telephoned police station 13 of the troubles, and a number of officers were sent to the place.

The gang ran away with McKinnon, who was bleeding from a gash on the head, in persuit. The beating he had received had weakened him, however, and he fell in the street where he lay until the other patrolmen came to his aid. He was sent to the station house, where his wounds, a number of cuts on the head, were dressed by Dr Woodruff.

From the description they obtained the officers arrested the two Dolans on the charge of assault and battery. They will be arraigned in court tomorrow where they will probably answer to a more serious charge.



January 22, 1908


Thugs Strike From Behind

Patrolman Attacked in Jamaica Plain.

Hayes Was Walking on Centre St in Plain Clothes.

Question Whether Robbery or Revenge Was Motive.


Patrolman Jeremiah Hayes of division 13, Jamaica Plain, was murderously attacked about 8:30 last night by two young men, who stole up behind him as he was walking along Centre st on his way to the station house on Seaverns av. One of the pair struck him on the back of the head with a blunt weapon and felled him to the ground.

The officer was in citizen's clothes and it is an open question whether his assailants, not knowing he was a patrolman, attacked him with intent to rob him or whether they were taking revenge because of police activity in that section of late.

Patrolman Hayes noticed two young fellows behind him when he was near Lakeville pl, but they did not arouse his suspicions. After the assault they ran down Centre sts and disappeared through Lockstead av. in the direction of Jamaica pond.

Though dazed by the blow, patrolman Hayes recovered sufficiently to get a glimpse of one of the fellows, who is about 5 feet 5 inches in height, stout built, and wore a light-colored overcoat, dark-colored trousers and a golf cap.

With head and face covered with the blood from his wounds on the head and face, caused by the violence of his fall to the ground, Hayes managed to make his way to the station house a considerable distance away, and reported to Lieut Bodenschatz. Dr Arthur N.Broughton dressed his wounds and found he had sustained a severe scalp wound on the back of his head, about two inches long, and abrasions on his face, right hand, knees and shins.

Patrolman Hayes could not explain the assault on him. It occurred in an aristocratic section of Jamaica Plain, and so far as Hayes knows, he has not an enemy in the district, where he has been a patrolman since 1894.

Recently, however, the police of division 13 have been active in the arrest of local characters, some of them for assault on patrolman McKinnon of division 13 about a year ago, who was beaten so terribly that he has not been able to perform police duty since. Three of the defendants in the case were sent away for a time and have recently been released. Others have been arrested for alleged attempt to break and enter a store.

Patrolman Hayes was born in Ireland, Jan 3, 1850. He was appointed a patrolman Oct 31, 1881, and was assigned to division 4; he was transferred to division 13 Aug 29, 1894, and has remained on duty at that station since that time.



January 23, 1908


Youths Arrested.

Charged With Assault on Patrolman Hayes.

Officer Positively Identifies Lad of 14 as One Assailant.


Two Roxbury youths, Richard J. Connolly, aged 16, of 963 Parker st, and Henry W. Hildreth, 14, of 4 Highland pl, are under arrest charged with breaking and entering the grocery store of M.S. Morton at Hyde Park last Tuesday morning and also with assaulting patrolman Jeremiah Hayes of division 13 with a blackjack Tuesday night in Jamaica Plain.

Neither of the youths has enjoyed an enviable reputation with the police for some time, and Hildreth is said to have been arrested for larceny before. The pair were arrested yesterday morning, at Boylston and Amory sts, by patrolmen Eagan and Morse of division 13 after quite a struggle, in which the young fellows are said to have tried to use blackjacks on the patrolmen.

At noon patrolman Hayes, who is laid up at his home with the injuries due to the assault on Tuesday, was brought to the station house, where he identified Hildreth positively and Connolly partially, as his assailants.




April 7, 1908


Scuffle Has Fatal Sequel.

Patrolman Fitzgerald Dies at His Home -- Paralysis Follows His Fight With a Prisoner.


Patrolman John J. Fitzgerald of division 13, who was injured in a scuffle with three young men whom he attempted to arrest Friday afternoon, died at his home, 11 North av, Roxbury, at 10:10 last night, from paralysis of the right side, caused by the bursting of a blood vessel in his head.

Friday afternoon patrolman Fitzgerald, who was in charge of the substation in Franklin park, was called by patrolman McAdams to assist in the arrest of three men who were charged with the larceny of brass pipe valued at $5. David A. Shugrue, who is alleded to have been one of them, is said to have fought Patrolman Fitzgerald off and to have escaped. The other men, Louis Selby and Stephen Shugrue, a brother of David, were arrested.

Patrolman Fitzgerald remained on duty at the station Friday night until 10 o'clock, when he was taken home and two physicians were called to attend him. He had become uncouscious, and the doctors said that his condition was serious.

David A. Shugrue, 26 years old, of 3409 Washington st, was arrested by patrolman O'Neil of division 13 Saturday night, charged with drunkenness, but when he appeared in the dock in the Jamaica Plain court yesterday morning patrolman McAdams said he recognized him as the man who had struggled with patrolman Fitzgerald, and McAdams brought two complaints against him. Shugrue is charged with assault on patrolman Fitzgerald and assault of Louis Selby, one of the men arrested Friday afternoon. He was held in bail aggregating $1200 on the assault cases and the charge of drunkenness for a hearing next Tuesday.

Patrolman John J. Fitzgerald was born in Boston Dec 25, 1858, and was educated in the public schools. He was appointed a patrolman Oct 11, 1881, and assigned to division 15. May 2, 1882, he was transferred to division 2, and afterward shifted to division 13, Jamaica Plain, where he had command of the substation. He was a member of the Police relief association.




June 24, 1910


Policeman Is Beaten by Gang

Katon's Face Cut and Body Bruised at Jamaica Plain.

Draws Revolver and John J. Dolan Is Shot in Struggle.


In a fight with a gang of seven or eight men who attempted to rescue a prisoner from him on Washington and Williams sts, Jamaica Plain, last evening, patrolman Owen A. Katon of division 13 was severely pounded on the head with his short club and kicked in the face and body. During the fight Katon fired one shot from his revolver, the bullet entering the right side of John J. Dolan, alias Trapper Dolan, penetrating the right lung and making its exit at the right side of Dolan's back.

Dolan was hurried to the City hospital in the police ambulance and his name is on the dangerous list. Patrolman Katon was taken to the station house on Seaverns av, Jamaica Plain, where his wounds were dressed by Dr Arthur A. Perry. It took seven stitches to close the wound over Katon's right eye and his body is covered with bruises.

The affair took place in the locality not far from the place where about four years ago the so-called "Keyes-st gang" clubbed patrolman Edward McKinnon of division so severely that he was never able to do a day's police duty since. Dolan, the man shot last night by patrolman Katon, was one of the six men found guilty in the McKinnon case, and was sentenced to six months in the house of correction. He has a long police record.

Patrolman Katon left the station at 5:45 last evening to patrol his route in the vicinity of Washington and Williams sts. He had just reached that point when he made the arrest of an unknown man for drunkenness.

While taking his prisoner to the box, he was set upon by Dolan, 22, who lives at 58 Call st, Jamaica Plain, nad several of Dolan's friends.

Kanton held his prisoner and fought the crowd to the signal box. He got out his short club to use if necessary. When Dolan and his gang saw the club, they pounced on Katon and wrestled it from him, and while Dolan, it is said, fought desperately with the police officer, some one of the number struck Katon over the right eye with the club, opening a wound that bled freely. Katon lost his prisoner, but tackled Dolan, and the two men fought in the mud. While struggling with Dolan on the ground, the gang kicked Katon in the head, face and body. The policeman got his revolver from his pocket. Dolan wrested the revolver from the officer. It fell in the street and was quickly picked up by a boy who managed to give it to Katon. Then the struggle was on again between Katon and Dolan. The revolver was discharged, the bullet penetrating the right side of Dolan's body.

At the sound of the shot the crowd scattered. Patrolman Katon, his face covered with blood and suffering severely from the clubbing and kicking he had received, managed to reach the police signal box and telephone Lieut Bodenschatz, in charge at the station. The ambulance and patrol wagon were hurried to the scene. Dolan lay on the sidewalk until the arrival of the ambulance, when he was hurried to the City hospital. There it was found the 38 calibre bullet had passed through the right side of his body and had penetrated the right lung.

Patrolman Katon was hurried to the station. Dr Arthur Perry took seven stitches to close the wound over Katon's right eye. He was put to bed in the station house.

Sergt Fettredge with patrolman Lordan, Enlis, McLaughlin, Snow, Holleran and O'Neil, went to work immediately to round up the gang concerned in the assault. Before 10 six suspects had been brought into the station house and booked on suspicion and two suspects were picked up by patrolman of division 2.

It is the worst affair of its kind in Jamaica Plain since the assault on patrolman Edward McKinnon in April four years ago, and is similar to the assaults on patrolman Cleveland with a bottle and the slugging of patrolman Hayes with a blackjack two years ago.

Lieut Bodenschatz detailed reserve officer Chaflin to watch Dolan at the Cit hospital, and an officer will be stationed at his bedside until he recovers sufficiently to be brought into a court.

Patrolman Katon is a Roxbury boy. He is 28 years old and resides with his mother and sisters at 16 Warren pl, Roxbury. His mother is ill and Katon requested that she be kept in ignorance of his condition until today. He was appointed to the police force Nov 16, 1900, as a reserve officer and was made a regular April 21, this year. He is athletic and the pitcher of the baseball team of division 13.


July 1, 1910


Was Beaten By A Crowd

Is the Testimony of Patrolman Katen.

Fell Senseless After He Had Shot John J. Dolan.

Men Accused of Assaulting Officer in Court.


The four defendants charged with assault and battery on patrolman Owen A. Katen of division 13, Jamaica Plain, Thursday evening, June 23, at Washington and Williams sts, when Katen was beaten and kicked and John J Dolan was shot in the right lung, appeared in the West Roxbury municipal court this morning.

The defendants are John H. Crowley, 28 years old, of 21 Plainville st, Edward Moore, 22 years old, of 25 Boynton st, James F. Galvin, 22 years old, of 18 Boynton st, and Andrew McCarron, 28, years old, of 336 Amory st. McCarron, Galvin and Crowley were represented by John F. McDonald. The government's case was prosecuted by patrolman Ralph Inglis, assisted by Capt Harriman and Sergt Fettridge.

Patrolman Katen testified that on June 23, about 6:05, saw a crowd in front of Silver's saloon on the corner of Keyes and Washington sts and ordered the men to move along. They went in different directions. Joseph O. Gorman he arrested for drunkenness and started with him to the police signal box at the corner of Williams and Washington sts.

When at the signal box John J. Dolan approached him and asked if he had placed the man under arrest. Katen said "Yes, and if you don't go along I'll place you under arrest."

He said he placed Dolan under arrest and received a blow in the face from him. At the same time he received blows from behind. He testified that he saw in the crowd Crowley, Moore, Gorman, James F. Galvin, Thomas Dolan and McCarron.

When he received the blow he reached for his short stick, which John J. Dolan got from him and struck him on the head with it, and he fell to the ground. He was kicked about the head and body, and his watch was broken. He managed to get to his feet and felt someboey attempting to get his revolver from his pocket. He received a second blow on the head, causing him to stagger.

John and Thomas Dolan were in front of him. Gorman was on his left side. On receiving the second blow on the head he was dazed and fell to the ground. John L. Dolan was over him with the policeman's short stick, ready to strike him. Dolan said, "Now, you ---, I have got you."

Katen drew his revolver, believing he was in danger of his life, and he pulled the trigger once. The revolver was not discharged on the first pull. The crowd ran in different directions.

"I pulled the trigger a second time," he said, "and the last man to leave me was John J. Dolan. After firing the revolver I became unconscious. Don't remember anything more. When I revived some women were bathing my face. With the assistance of some men I got to the signal box and telephoned the station house to send an ambulance to box 29, and then I fainted.

"I was taken to the station house in the patrol wagon. My head was cut in several places, my eyes were blackened and my body was black and blue from the kicks I had received. Dr Perry dressed my wounds. I was put to bed in the station house.

I did not know the names of the defendants, but had seen then about the streets at night around the locality. I would not say that Crowley asssaulted me, but about the other defendants I am positive."

Alfred Marshall, a conductor for the Boston elevated road living at 3582 Washington st, testified that he saw Katon struck on the head while he, Marshall, was standing on his car. He testified that he left his car, went across the street, near where Katon and the prisoners were, and saw the two Dolan boys strike Katon and also saw Gorman strike Katon on the head with a police billy. McCarron, he testified, had his arms around Katon's neck while the officer was struck.

Recess was taken until 2 o'clock and at that time John J. Dolan was brought from the city hospital in the police auto.



August 11, 1910


Dolan Given Two Years.

Pleads Guilty to Charge of Assault on Policeman Katon in Jamaica plain on June 23.


Charged with assault on policeman Owen Katon of division 13 on June 23, John J. Dolan of Jamaica Plain was sentenced to the house of correction yesterday for two years by Judge Sanderson in the superior criminal court. Dolan, with Andrew McCarron, James F. Galvin and Edward Moore, pleaded guilty. McCarron, Galvin and Moore were placed on probation.

Dolan has recovered from a shot through the lung received at the time of the assault. Early in the evening of June 23 several women told policeman Katon that a man had insulted them. Katon arrested a man named Gorman and as he was taking Gorman to the box at Williams and Washington sts in Jamaica Plain Dolan ordered him to release Gorman. Upon Katon's refusal there was some talk, when the policeman hit Dolan with his club. Dolan then got the club and struck Katon on the head with it.

The policeman said that at the same time someone was trying to get his revolver. He reached first, however, and as Dolan stood before him wiht the club raised and ready to strike he pulled the trigger. The revolver did not go off, but on the second trial he sent a bullet through Dolan's body. Dolan said he was shot as he was running away.




Boston Daily Globe August 8, 1911


Policeman Attacked.

Gang Supposed to Be of the "Forty Thieves" of Jamaica Plain Attempt Rescue of a Prisoner.


Patrolman John W. Shone of Jamaica Plain was attacked and beaten by a gang of boys and young men near the Boylston-st railroad station late last evening while making the arrest of Edward Morgan of 1392 Collumbus av, Roxbury.

Morgan, told to move along, had behaved in a surly manner and the officer started to arrest him. Some of Morgan's frields then attacked Shone. The gang then retreated to the railroad tracks, about 20 feet above the street level, and threw rocks at Shone, who continued to hold his prisoner, protecting himself by placing the prisoner in front of himself as the target for the missles. Morgan was hurt some, but the patrolman escaped injury.

Some one had meanwhile telephoned to Sergt Hennessey at the station. The sergeant sent out a patrol wagon wiht 11 officers to Shone's rescue, and at the sound of the wagon gong the gang scattered. Shone knows the names of several in the gang and will ask for warrants today.

Mr Sweetzer and Mr Bancroft

Sidney & Smith, 1852 (copyright © 2000 by Cartography Associates.)
David Rumsey Collection

[H. Sweetzer appears on the map above in the lower left quadrant, just above the bold letter B. The house seems to have been across from today's Faulker Hospital on Centre street.]


The few times I've found mentions of African-Americans in Jamaica Plain in these pre-1924 newspaper archives, it has generally been when they were accused of a crime. Although I think that it is of historical interest that African-Americans lived in the community during these years, I haven't posted any of the articles because of the obviously unbalanced picture they portray. In this case, I think the date of the event makes the articles worth reproducing. This is the first dated reference I've found to a named African-American in Jamaica Plain that post-dates the presence of slaves in the community. The fact that black people could only make the newspaper when they were accused of crimes says more about the newspapers and their readers than about the people themselves. If John Bancroft had gone about his business and never met Henry Sweetzer, we would never have known his name. As it is, we know that he and his wife lived somewhere in Jamaica Plain, and that he did odd jobs for the local gentry. Maybe someone somewhere knows more about him; where he came from, and how he came to be in rural West Roxbury, when African-Americans in Boston were limited to living in a segregated community on the back side of Beacon Hill.



New York Daily Times September 2, 1856


News from Boston.

Ferocious And Probably Fatal Assault


On Saturday, Mr. Henry Sweetzer, a wealthy gentleman, residing at Jamaica Plain, called at the house of John Bancroft, a colored man, to engage him to do some work, and finding Bancroft intoxicated and abusing his wife, he remonstrated, where upon Bancroft strick him with a piece of iron with so much violence that no hopes are entertained of Mr Sweetzer's recovery. Bancroft fled and has not been arrested.


September 4, 1856


The Murderous Assault At Jamaica Plain.

Mr. Henry Sweetzer, whose skull was fractured by being struck with an iron crane by John Bancroft, a negro, on Saturday afternoon, lingered till this morning, when he expired. Mr. Sweetzer was a gentleman of about 64 years of age, and had held several town offices. He had acquired a fine property by active business in this city, but retired to spend the closing years of his life on his own estate. The negro who committed the assault came home on Sunday evening and delivered himself up to the authorities, by whom he was immediately carried to Dedham Jail. He said that he did not know what he was about at the time he did the deed. He was maddened by liquor and did not even know who the person was whom he struck. However true this statement may be, he is evidently a very dangerous character.-- Boston Traveller, 2d.

Green Street - High Crime Area

For some reason, Green street in the 1850s shows up in the crime department again. The school in question was probably the one that predated the Bowditch at the same location. You can see an 1874 map showing the school here. Look near the upper left.


New York Daily Times October 10, 1856


Highway Robbery -- Assault Of A School Teacher In The Daytime In Jamaica Plain.


Miss Caroline F. Atherton, a teacher in the Primary School on Green-street, Jamaica Plain, while proceeding to her school from her residence, was attacked by four young men and a boy, pushed down and robbed of her gold watch and chain, valued at $100. Miss Atherton cried "Stop thief!" and was heard by Mr Whiting B. Davis, who was at work on the Railroad near the Depot. Mr. Davis immediately pursued two of the young rascals and the boy. The other two escaped with the watch and chain. Miss Atherton was not injured. The boy was detained at the Almshouse, and the two young men locked up. -- Boston Journal.

A Tangled Web - Or Fogg's Folly

Estate of A. G. Bigelow, scene of the crime.



Does the name Amy Fisher ring a bell? How about Buttafucco? Seems like the more things change, the more they stay the same. I would love to know what happened to the unwise Patrolman Fogg.



Boston Daily Globe December 29, 1885


With A Monkey-Wrench.

The Wife of a Police Officer Nearly Murdered by a Woman -- Robbery Evidently the Motive.


A curious case of assault, in which the motive was evidently robbery, took place at Jamaica Plain last evening. Luckiny the victim was not seriously injured, and the plans of the assailant were frustrated.

Mr. Alanson Bigelow, Jr., owns on Pond street, near Myrtle, Jamaica Plain, an elegant mansion. He lives at Magnolia, and during his absence Mr. Charles W. Fogg and his wife have been intrusted with their care and protection. Mr. Fogg is a police officer attached to Division 13.

Between 9 and 9:30 last evening, the door bell rang, and Mrs. Fogg, who was alone in the house at the time, went to the door, where she found a woman whom she describes as about the medium size, dark complexion, dressed in black clothes and hat, and who wore her hair crimped over her forehead. She asked if Mr. Fogg was at home, and upon receiving a negative reply, said that she came to see him in regard to some person whom Mr. Fogg had helped to move, and she wanted to secure his help again. She then asked permission to go to the water closet. By this means she got access to the hallway, and no sooner was she inside the house than she drew from beneath her shawl a large sized monkey-wrench, and struck Mrs. Fogg a terrible blow over the head. A scuffle followed, during which Mrs. Fogg got the wrench away from the woman, who finally got it back again, striking Mrs. Fogg three more blows and inflicting four severe scalp wounds. The woman then made her escape, leaving her shawl and the wrench behind her, both of which are now in the hands of the police.

Neighbors who hears Mrs. Fogg's cries for assistance raised an alarm, and soon Sergeant McBryan and Patrolmen McMorrow and Watts were at the scene, and began an investigation. Dr. Broughton was called to attend the injured lady,and sewed up the wounds in her head. At a late hour she was comfortable, and will undoubtedly speedily recover from the effects of the assault. Robbery is the only motive that the police can suggest.





New York Times January 1, 1886


Pleasant For Patrolman Fogg.


Boston, Mass., Dec. 31. -- Annie H. McGregor, who was arrested last night on suspicion of having committed the murderous assault upon Mrs. Angeline Fogg, wife of Patrolman Fogg, of Jamaica Plain Station, made a full confession this morning. The cause of the attempted murder was jealousy, the McGregor woman station that Fogg had kept company with her for the past two years. Mrs. Fogg was assaulted by the McGregor woman with a monkey-wrench in her house on Monday night last, and the attack was a most vicious one.

Home Invasion - 1853 Style

I found these three articles in the New York Times. The Times published articles taken from Boston newspapers by citation and over the telegraph lines. Colonel Fessenden was a graduate of West Point, first and foremost an engineering school, and a logical place to look for men to plan routes for railroad tracks. I knew I had seen the name before, and I found him mentioned in the Annals and Reminiscences of Jamaica Plain, 1897, by Harriet Manning Whitcomb, which you can read here.

We don't get the end of the story, but we do get the dramatic bits below.




New York Daily Times January 7, 1853


Daring Burglary At Jamaica Plains(sic) - Courageous Attack Upon The Robbers.

At about 2 o'clock on Tuesday morning, the dwelling of Col Fessenden, the well known Railroad Engineer, was the scene of a burglary of a most unexampled character. The house of Mr Fessenden is situated in a secluded lane, Green-st., Jamaica Plains, at a considerable distance from any other house, and in the vicinity of woods. The house was entered by four burglars, through the lower windows. The lower part of the house was thoroughly ransacked, and silver plate and other articles, all to the value of several hundred dollars, were gathered together.

The robbers then proceeded to the chambers, probably with the object of obtaining the money of the sleeping inmates. They first tried the door of the chamber of the eldest son of Mr Fessenden, 17 or 18 years of age. The young man was awakened by the noise made by the robbers in entering, jumped out of bed and cried out for help, but the robbers immediately seized him, and without any unnecessary violence, securely tied him.

The first noise from the son had, however, awakened the father, who came out of his room and confronted and courageously attacked the robbers, although there were four to one, and were also armed with pistols. A melee ensued, in which a pistol was fired, without however, injuring Mr Fessenden, and no trace of a ball could afterwards be found, it is doubtful if the pistol contained anything but powder. Mr Fessenden succeeded in wrenching a pistol from one of the robbers, but was afterwards knocked down, trampled upon and bruised, though not seriously injured.

The wife of Mr Fessenden and his two daughters were standing on the stairs, spectators of this deadly struggle between the husband and father, and his ruffianly opponents, but were not, of course, capable of rendering material assistance. It is stated that the wife raised a window and cried out for help, and was only silenced by a pistol placed at her head by one of the robbers, with a threat to blow out her brains if she did not keep quiet, but our informant, who had the facts from one of the family, does not confirm the statement.

After the robbers had by main force subdued Mr Fessenden, leaving him bruised and bleeding upon the floor, they gathered their plunder an decamped.

The robbers, it is supposed, came from this city. They probably could not be identified, as in the hurry and terror of the movement no thorough sight of them was had by any of the family.

A man servant of Mr Fessenden slept in an adjoining building, detached from the house, and was not aroused in season to assist his master or prevent the flight of the robbers. - Boston Traveller.



January 18, 1853


News By The Mails


The Boston Police have succeeded in arresting three individuals who are believed to be the party who entered the house of Colonel Fessenden, at Jamaica Plains(sic) - the particulars of which we published a few days since. Their names are Wm. McGee, Michael Doyle and Michael Lavery. It appears that the store of Wm. Pope, in Dorchester, was robbed of Saturday night of $500 worth of goods. The goods were found secreted in a hog pen. Officers were stationed to see who would come for the goods, when the three above named individuals came for them. Two of them were arrested: the third, Lavery, escaped. He was arrested, however, the next day in the Court House. Upon one of the party a pistol was found, which Col. Fessenden has no doubt belongs to his son.



May 4, 1853


The trial of Scott, Doyle, Lavery and Magee, for burglary in the house of Col. J.M. Fessenden, at Jamaica Plains, in January last, was commenced before the Court of Common Pleas at Dedham, on Saturday last. Col. Fessenden was the only witness examined, and the defence, so far as Magee is concerned, will be an alibi, by attempting to prove that he was in New York city on the evening next preceding the morning on which the burglary was committed.

Kids These Days

As I scanned through weekly issues of the 1952 Jamaica Plain Citizen, the biggest running issue was juvenile delinquency. Vandalism was mentioned most often, but a general increase in youth crime was constantly being discussed by civic leaders. The merchant mentioned below would have been Mike Kalajian, proprietor of the Green Elm variety store - you can guess the location. Mike was known for helping kids, including those who might interact with the men from Station 13.


Jamaica Plain Citizen April 3, 1952

Costello Defends Local Youth In Delinquent Probe.


Edward A. Costello, president of St Thomas Unit of the National Council of Catholic Men defended the youth of Jamaica Plain at a meeting of judges, police and court officials as well as youth workers. The meeting was called by Mayor John B. Hynes in an attempt to stop vandalism by youths in different parts of the city. It was held in the office of the Mayor on Monday, last.

As the result of a disturbance at a Dorchester party where it was claimed that some local youths "crashed the gate," four Jamaica Plain boys were taken into custody. They, it was alleged with a gang numbering about 20 youths caused property damage at a Dorchester home where a birthday party was in progress for a Jamaica Plain girl.

As a result of their arraignment in court, a report was circulated that the youths had attempted to force the Jamaica Plain girl to join a club whose members engaged in unlawful practices.

Mr Costello told the Mayor's gathering that as a result of his investigation that he learned that the club in question was a hand ball club, formed by a merchant in the vicinity of Green and Elm streets and has been disbanded for five years. He also told the committee that the girl denied that she had made any such statement regarding such a club. She made this denial to local police in addition to denying it to Costello. She further told the speaker that she did not know what kind of a club it might be as she never belonged to it, he said.

The girl in question came from another section of the city and has resided in Jamaica Plain about six months, Costello said.

The speaker told the gathering that Jamaica Plain is free from rowdy gangs but that all of the youths there are not angels.He said there are plenty of burglars around and they do not distinguish between the homes of judges and policemen and ordinary workmen. He praised the people for catching many of them.

He said however that acts of rowdyism are seldom reported to the police and on the whole Jamaica plain juveniles and teenagers are a pretty good lot.

Speaking of his work with youth, Costello said that he had plenty of experience with them. He told of heading at one time the largest Boy Scout outfit in the entire country.

He said that the church organization does everything it can to wipe out temptation for youngsters. He told of Mr. Edward Matthews, president of the parish Holy Name society entering stores where suggestive pictures and books are displayed and of his telling the storekeepers that such things are dangerous to children and are displeasing to the parishioners of the local church. After such visits he said the literature adn pictures disapper from the shelves in the stores.

He also told of the driving out of business of a man who ran a cafe where liquor was sold to minors. He pointed out that while the establishment was across the parish boundry line, it did not stop the action against the place as minors from the parish were served liquor there.

He praised the Licensing Board for takng away the seven day license held by the cafe making it possible to eliminate teh condition.

"Regardless of where it exists, if a condition is found that is likely to tempt Jamaica Plain youth, we will go after it" he said.

In the conclusion he said that from his experience, education of and the proper approach to the youths that remain away from social and athletic events are the things we need.

He pointed out that youngsters are often engaged in bother and quarrels with other youth and they do not realize what harm they can do to innocent adults and property during such disturbances. It should be pointed out to them to settle their difference among themselves without injuring other people. "We must get to the youths that need our help. We must send people to them whose language they understand. We must come down to their level and we must make some concessions to them in some cases he pointed out. The incorrigable is another question. He must be segregated and treated differently from the boys who commit only minor infractions he said.

Grifters Hit Jamaica Plain

Not so much a history of Jamaica Plain as simply a good story.



Boston Daily Globe January 13, 1897


Change Numbers On Houses.

Fraud That One Gang of Sharpers Have Been Perpetrating on the People of Jamaica Plain.


There have been many frauds perpetrated in Boston, but the latest one which police have seen fit to warn the public against is the most unique. It is so bold that if it were not mentioned on the police manifold the public might doubt the story being true.

This is a fraud in which a man and a boy are engaged. Their scheme has never been operated in Boston before. The pair of swindlers made their first appearance in Boston about a week ago. They drove into the district of Jamaica Plain with a bay horse and a green wagon, and began work on one of the most fashionable streets. They began at the end of the street and worked every house.

Placing new numbers on the houses was their scheme. The man rang the front door bell and informed the mistress of the house that orders had been given to change the numbers on every house. In most instances the owner thought that the order was compulsory and allowed the man to take off the old number and put on a new one. A number of the residents objected, and said that they didn't want the man to touch the number, at least until Mr ---- came home. In such instances as these, the man said that he had the authority to change numbers, and the persons who tried to prevent him might get into trouble. This threat had its effect. The owner thought it was an order from the street department, and felt that it must be obeyed. The result has been that almost everywhere the pair of frauds went they were allowed to go on with their work and collect the money after they had finished.

Just how extensively the plan has been operated is not known, but if they did as well in every part of the city as they did at Jamaica Plain, they have reaped a harvest. One fact which the police are certain of is that the men have operated only in the suburban districts. Their reason for doing this is plain. Inside the city proper there would be more danger of being caught perpetrating their fraud, for patrolmen are more numerous than they are in the suburban districts.

The fraud was doubly effective because those who allowed the man to change the numbers of their dwellings are now compelled to replace the number, for there has been no order to change.

A Dastardly Assault At Day Street

This is one of the earliest articles I've posted on the site. Although West Roxbury had just been annexed in 1874, Day street was already part of Boston, being just inside the border of old Roxbury. This would be why the police from Station 13 were not involved. Besides the dramatic nature of the crime, we also have interest in a few historical items. First, the area was considered, at least by the Globe, as the Highlands. Second, we have an appearance of Mr Hyde, who would later give his name to the square mentioned in the article. Third, there were still orchards nearby. We know from other sources that fruit was a favored crop in Roxbury and Jamaica Plain going back to pre-revolutionary times. Makes me wonder when the last fruit tree was cut down for a new street - a more pleasant topic to consider than attempted murder.



Boston Daily Globe September 30, 1874


A Startling Crime!

The Slung-Shot, The Gag and the Bullet.

Assault, Robbery and Attempted Murder of an Old and Respected Citizen of the Highlands at His Own Door-step - Full Account of the Affair - Another and Striking Evidence of the Lack of Sufficient Police Force at the Highlands.


The comparative peace and quiet which has rested upon this community for some time past was rudely broken, last evening, by one of the most bold and brutal acts of ruffianism which it has been the province of the newspapers to chronicle since the murder of Bridget Laudergin and the shooting of Mr. Lane on his doorstep. This time, it is an old and respected citizen of the Highlands, who, on returning to his home from the day's business in the city, is suddenly set upon by two ruffians as he is entering the gateway, knocked down by slung-shots, his mouth closed with an iron gag and his pockets rifled of their contents; the family, alarmed, rush to the rescue of their father, and are received by two bullets from the pistol of the villains, one of which enters the wrist of one of the sons; the would-be murderers then make their escape.

The details of the case are these, as narrated by the principal actors in the affair: At 7 o'clock, last evening, Mr Otis Gray Randall, sixty-five years of age, a respected citizen of the Highlands, where he has resided for many years and a banking and bond broker and notary, doing business at 16 State street, took the Jamaica Plain car on Tremont street for his house, at 65 Day street, Boston Highlands. He got out at the square from which Day street leads, and went into Mr Gibson's store on Centre street, where he brought some pepper. He then went on his way down Day street. The night was very dark, although it was then only about 8 o'clock in the evening and there was a thick mist. Mr Randall had an overcoat on his arm and an open umbrella in his hand. He had just reached the gateway of his residence, a dark and gloomy spot, shadowed by trees on each side, when he was set upon by two men who had been crouching, one behind the post and the other behind the gate; they attacked him from both sides at once with slung shots, striking him nine times over the head; they then gagged him with some sort of an iron instrument, threw him down and proceeded to search for the money, which they evidently knew he carried about him, and for which they had waylaid him. Meanwhile, the family, consisting of Mrs. Randall, two sons and a daughter, had become alarmed by the noise and the scuffle. One of the sons, Charles, who was in his chamber at the time, was the first to hear the disturbance; he immediately seized a loaded revolver, which, by good chance, he happened to have near him at the time, and, opening the window, fired in the direction of the noise.

Almost at the same time the rest of the family rushed out to the rescue of their father. The robbers stood their ground, and the other son, Walter, a young man about twenty-one or twenty-two years of age, seized an iron skillet, and rushing forward hurled it at one of the villains, who immediately raised his left arm and fired, the bullet taking effect in the young man's wrist; the other robber fired at the same time, but bullet narrowly missing the aged mother, who was standing near. The ruffians then ran down Day street towards Heath street, and the family carried the old gentleman into the house in an unconscious condition. The neighbors, who had been aroused by the disturbance, came in at once and rendered what assistance they could. The police were notified at the Tenth Station and word was dispatched from thence to the Central Station. Dr. Martin was called, who dressed Mr. Randall's wounds, and gave him some quieting mixture, and at a late hour, last evening, he was quite comfortable. The right side of his head about the temple is badly swollen and the marks of the slung-shot are distinctly seen; his mouth and throat were badly affected by the gag and he was unable to swallow; the robbers took an overcoat and two pocket-books from the inside pocket of his coat, one of which was of black and the other, a smaller one, of red leather, placed inside the larger. They contained photographs of different members of his family, fifty or sixty cents worth of car tickets, and notes and papers of no value save to their owner. A large sum of money which the assailants evidently expected to find in his pocket-book, but which Mr Randall carried in an inside vest pocket, fortunately escaped the hands of the robbers. However, they took the package of pepper.

The men are described as being stout, thick-set, about five feet eleven inches in height, and dressed in dark clothes. One of them, in his hurried flight, left behind his hat, which will, doubtless, afford a valuable clue to the discovery of the perpetrators of this bold robbery. It is a high crown, dark Mackinaw straw hat of six and seven eighths inches size. It afterwards appeared that a Mr Atwood, a gentleman residing close by, saw the assault committed, and instead of giving an outcry and rushing to the man's assistance ran in the opposite direction for help.

The murderous assault and robbery had evidently been long premeditated, and, from the statement of Mr Randall, it appears that the same men had laid in wait for him before and only by accident failed of success. About a week ago, as he was returning home in the evening, on passing through Day street, he saw two men crouching down by the fence near the house of Mr Hyde, and fearing some foul play he crossed over of the other side of the street and thus avoided them. He afterwards spoke to Mr Hyde and another gentleman of the occurrence, and they came to the conclusion that the men were endeavoring to steal fruit from some of the neighboring orchards. Mrs. Randall and others of the family state that several times during the past week they have heard footsteps on the piazza late in the evening, and felt that somebody was lurking around the house. Mr. Randall does not think that the men followed him out from the city in the horse-car, as he does not remember noticing any suspicious characters in the car on his way out; but, knowing that he frequently carried large sums home with him, they laid in wait for him in the manner described.

This police district is in certain places very lonely and deserted and the police force is far too small to cover it properly; it appears that no officer heard of this affair till long after its occurrence. The beat which includes the scene of the assault is said to be over a mile long and the officer last passed the spot at 7 o'clock. The police in the city proper were on the alert, last night, and one or two suspicious characters have been arrested. One rough-looking fellow was brought into the Second Station about 1 o'clock, who came in from the direction of the Highlands, but although he at first gave a very rambling and disconnected account of himself, he afterwards, as is believed, satisfied the officers of his innocence of any complicity in the affair.

A reward of $500 has been offered by the two sons of Mr Randall for the discovery of the villains who committed the dastardly assault.

The Case Of The Purloined Pine

The scene of the crime - 13 Gordon street, home of Otto Sharp.

Richards, L.J. 1899 (copyright © 2000 by Cartography Associates)
David Rumsey Collection




Boston Daily Globe December 16, 1912


Mystery of Stolen Irish Pine Solved.

Found in Home of Jamaica Plain Boy Who Cut It For Christmas Tree.


In the front yard of the comfortable home of Otto Sharp, 13 Gordon st, Jamaica Plain, for 15 years an Irish pine, the pride of the Sharp family and the envy of the neighbors, has been nurtured with jealous care. Saturday evening it disappeared, only a bleeding stump remaining to mark the place where it stood.

Word was sent to the Jamaica Plain Police Station, and early yesterday morning, Capt Harriman summoned patrolman Joseph Delaney to his office. After receiving the details of the mysterious crime, he issued the following instructions to his trusted sleuth: "Go forth and return not until the culprits are captured and brought hither."

"Gee whiz," mused Delaney, "that's going some, and I think the captain means business."

Carefully examining his revolver, the fearless Joseph hastened to the scene of the desecration. He made a careful survey of the surroundings and discovered on the sidewalk near the fence a few green needles evidently shaken from the tree.

"Ah, ha!" he exclaimed with true detective inflection, and took up the trail. Over fences, through alleyways, through yards and across fields the dauntless Delaney followed the needles, which at length led him to the door of a well-known citizen of Jamaica Plain. Delaney entered, and still guided by the needles, passed through hall and living rooms into the bathroom. There stood the pine, somewhat damaged, but still sturdy.

Upon questioning the 11-year-old son of the family, Delaney ascertained that he wanted a Christmas tree and being financially embarrassed, conceived the idea of cutting down Mr Sharp's pine, which he did with the assistance of his chums under cover of night. [?] will probably be aired in the juvenile session of the West Roxbury District Court Saturday morning.

Mr Sharp has another Irish pine left.

A Turkey-less Thanksgiving

In honor of Turkey-Day, I give you a Dickensian story gastronomic tragedy. The two articles don't quite match in the telling, but the event described appears to be the same in both. Happy holidays.



Boston Daily Globe November 24, 1915


Offer Turkeys At Low Prices

Proprietors of Store Put Under Arrest.

Dover st Dealers Accused of Receiving Stolen Goods.

Wagonload Disappears on Way to Jamaica Plain.


Charged with receiving a wagonload of provisions and vegetables alleged to have been stolen Monday night from a market district firm, Morris Rautush, 23 years old, of Malden, and Joseph Tutchinsky, 22 years old, of 43 Willow st, Malden, proprietors of a market at 44 Dover st, were arrested last night by officers of the Court sq and East Dedham st stations after the firm had issued a circular in which they advertised turkeys at shockingly reduced rates.

Monday afternoon B. Kineen & Co, who have a store at 1 1/2 Faneuil Hall sq, sent a wagon load of turkeys, chickens, been, vegetables and miscellaneous articles valued at $386.71 to C.O. Bennett & Sons, Green st, Jamaica Plain. Later Monday evening the rig was put up at a stable on Cross st, stripped of its freight, but the driver disappeared quickly and has not been seen since, and word came from Jamaica Plain that the goods had not been received.

Yesterday the police secured some information regarding the alleged disposition of the property and placed the store on Dover st under surveillance. They had not been watching the store long before circulars advertising turkeys at 22 cents a pound and other things correspondingly cheap were displayed. Sergt McDonald and Special Officer Trayers of the Court sq Station with Sergt Irwin and Special Officer Morrissey of East Dedham st then placed the storekeepers under arrest.

The load that was stolen included 690 pounds of turkey, 126 pounds of been, four hams, many chickens, guinea chicken, celery and other vegetables. The police recovered property valued at $225. It is alleged that the dealers bought the cosignment of goods from the driver for $150. What became of the driver is a mystery.



September 6, 1916


Thanksgiving-less Mystery Cleared

Driver of Vanishing Dinner wagon Arrested

Charged With Stealing Turkeys and Fixin's Worth $365


Why between 150 and 200 residents of Jamaia Plain were left dinnerless last Thanksgiving was explained last evening when James Waters, 41 years old, who says he is "an habitual criminal," and lives "somewhere on Broadway, Cambridge," was arrested by officers of the City Hall av Police Station. Through Waters teh police learned that the dinners were stolen, but what became of them is still a mystery, for the prisoner refuses to tell.

Late last Thanksgiving Eve a wagon left 4 1/2 Faneuil Hall Market, loaded with turkeys, geese, ducks, fowl, potatoes, sweet potatoes, beets, celery and cranberries, in bundles addressed to residents of Jamaica Plain. The wagon represented the Thanksgiving dinners of these families.

Waters was driver of the wagon, which started, presumably, for Jamaica Plain. The conveyance did not arrive at its rightful destination. Not a trace of the horse, wagon, harness or Thanksgiving dinners did the police get for months.

The Jamaica Plain residents waited all Thanksgiving eve for the appearance of their dinners. Thanksgiving dawned, but still no dinners came. As it was then too late to purchase food for home consumption, that section of Jamaica Plain went Thanksgiving-less or to hotels.

Yesterday, Waters appeared at a Canal st store and applied for a job. An officer of the Court sq Police Station recognized him and promptly arrested him. A few days ago the horse, wagon and harness, which vanished last November, were recovered.

Waters was booked at the station charged with the larceny of a horse, wagon and harnes from Bartholomew Dineen of 4 1/2 Faneuil Hall Market. The complaint also states that Waters did steal turkeys, geese, ducks, fowl, beef, potatoes, sweet and white, celery and cranberries to the value of $365. He will be arraigned in court today.

Jack the Spanker

Two curious crime stories in a row. Nothing intended - it just worked out that way.


Boston Daily Globe June 12, 1899


May Be "The Spanker"

Man Arrested in Jamaica Plain While Chasing a Little Girl


"Jack the Spanker," the man who has been terrorizing the vicinity of Jamaica Plain was caught in that district late last night, the police believe. He was arrested in the act of attempting to chasitse a little girl whom he had chased and grabbed.

The policeman who made the arrest had been watching him for some time because of his suspicious conduct, and, it is said, saw him chase the child. When he was brought to the station it was seen that he was under the influence of liquor, so when locked up the only charge placed against him on the books is that of drunkenness. However, he was partially identified by several Jamaica Plain residents.

This morning several parties from Roxbury and Dorchester, who have seen the man who was responsible for several of the attempted assaults in those districts, will go to Jamaica Plain and view the man in custody.

Upon the views of those who will attempt to identify him today will depend the character of the charge that will be made against him in court this morning.



Boston Daily Globe June 15, 1899


Not "Jack The Spanker"

Gustaf A. Frockberg Held on a Charge of Drunkenness Only.

Gustaf A. Frockberg, the supposed "Jack the Spanker" held by the police of station 13, Jamaica Plain, on the supposition that he might be the terrorizer of the suburban districts of Boston, is not the real "Jack the Spanker" after all. He was arrested Sunday evening off Washington st by patrolman McCarthy, after he had been seen by the officer talking to a couple of little girls.

He was arraigned in the West Roxbury district court Monday morning on the charge of drunkenness. When questioned as to the spanking business he denied all connection with anything of the kind.

To give the police a chance to have him identified by the children, the case was continued until yesterday.

Since then several of the children have seen him, some of them being in court this morning. None could identify him and the charge of drunkenness alone was pressed against him. He was fined $10.