on Howard street, expecting, it was said, to ascend from there to Heaven. An immense crowd gathered in the adjacent streets, and a serious disturbance seemed imminent. The whole police force, and the night watch, were called out, and the mili tary were held in readiness; but no serious disturbance or ascension was known to take place that evening. August 27, 1843. - A serious affray occurred in North square, between white and colored sailors, which resulted in injuring several persons, and destroying some property. The whole police force were called out, and, aided by truckmen and citizens, succeeded in restoring quiet. March 23, 1847. - Something of a row occurred at a temperance meeting in Faneuil Hall. The police appeared in strong force, and order was soon restored. February 2, 1848.-The police brought 91 persons before the Police Court for failing to remove snow from their sidewalks. April 21, 1848.- The police had 50 persons before the court for keeping dogs without a license, and on December 25th of the same year, 48 persons were brought up for the same offence. March 8, 1851.-The police, under Marshal Tukey, made a descent on gambling establishments about town, arresting 87 men, and confiscating considerable property. The prisoners were handcuffed in pairs, attached to chains, and marched through the streets to the Marshal's office. On the 27th of the same month the same ground was gone over again, and 27 men were captured. April 3, 1851.-Occurred the Thomas Semmes slave riot, at which the whole police force, a large number of the watch, and a strong military force, were engaged in a most unpleasant and thankless service for nine days and nights. April 21, 1851.—The police brought 101 persons before the court for violation of the dog law. April 23, 1851.-The whole police force, together with the north watch, made the celebrated "Ann street descent," capturing pipers, fiddlers, dancers, lewd women, and drunken men, to the number of 160, who were all marched in pairs to the Leverett Street jail. September 15, 1851.-Occurred the rogues' show-up, when the police brought to the City Hall 69 persons of doubtful reputation, who were shown up by the Marshal to a crowd of spectators, their names and character explained, and they were then allowed to depart. December 23, 1851. The police brought 112 persons before the Police Court for not properly removing snow and ice from their sidewalks. It was then the policy to have as many cases of this kind before the court, at the same time, as possible, giving the defendants but little opportunity to complain of partiality, and plenty of time to wait in court, and laugh at each other. February 5, 1852.- Eighty-three persons were in court for leaving snow on their sidewalks. March 9, 1852.—Sixty-five persons were in court for violation of the dog law. August 28, 1852. Thirty-five persons were in court for violation of the Sunday law. February 4, 1854.- Thirty-four persons were in court for gambling the night previous. February 5, 1854. - Twenty-three persons were in court for violation of Sunday law. These cases usually required the attendance in court of the whole police force. May 26, 1854. — About three hours after the re-organization of the Watch and Police Departments had been completed, the news came that the United States officers had arrested the fugi. tive slave Anthony Burns, and that a riotous multitude were endeavoring to rescue the prisoner from the custody of the officers in the court house. In order to preserve the peace of the city, every police officer in the department, was called at once to Court square, where the doors of the court-house had been battered down, one man killed, and a number injured. On the arrival of the police, order was soon restored, and then came another nine days' tedious, thankless duty, while poor Burns was tried, convicted, and sent back to slavery. September 26, 1856. The police had eighty-six persons in court for gambling. April 3, 1857.-Fifty of the gambling fraternity were in court. Early in January, 1858, parties had prepared an amphitheatre in the vicinity of the National Theatre, for a cock pit. It was very large, and capable of seating some 1,200 persons. On the 7th, the managers proceeded to give an exhibition, in defiance of the authorities, declaring that the police could not stop them. The seats were all filled, and the fight began. At the commencement of the second round, eight officers stepped in, and each took his man, when the spectators at once made for the back entrance, and a most ludicrous stampede began, which left the hall vacant in a few minutes. January, 24, 1860, the shoemaker's riot occurred in Lynn, and 25 Boston police officers were sent to render assistance in quelling it. It was said that their presence prevented further trouble. During the war, from 1861 to 1865, the presence of large numbers of strangers, the continual marshalling of troops, and the unparalleled excitement pervading all classes, made the services of large numbers of the police in constant demand, scarcely a day passing in which one or more large details were not called out. July 14, 1863, occurred the long-to-be-remembered conscription riot, when eleven strokes of the fire alarm upon the bells, called to Court square, from their respective stations, in less than thirty minutes, every police officer in the city; and when, unarmed, as they were, with a promptness, coolness, and determination worthy the highest commendation, the police, with the military, contributed their share in suppressing that fearful riot, and preserving and protecting the lives and property of our citizens. June 15, 1869, the Great Peace Festival at the Coliseum called out for five days' extra duty, 300 police officers. May 7, 1870.-A descent was made on night-walkers, and about 180 persons, mostly young girls, were taken into custody, of whom a large number were placed on probation, and sent to their homes. The celebration of the anniversary of American Independence calls out usually from 200 to 300 men; and other public days from 100 to 200 men for extra duty. |