THE POLICE OF ST. PAUL: 1896

Of the captains the oldest in point of service is Capt. Charles Rouleau, of the Ducas street sub-station. He is a St. Paul boy, and though young in years, is still one of the oldest inhabitants. He was born in this city Dec. 29, 1845, was reared and educated here and on April 10, 1872, was appointed policeman. Capt. Rouleau is one of the heavy men of the force. He is of large stature and build, handsome features and looks like a French marshal. His record is one of which he is reasonably proud.

Capt. A.M. Lowell, of Rondo street sub-station, comes next in order of time. He is a genuine New Englander, born in Maine, of a Massachusetts father and New Hampshire mother, and has James Russell Lowell in his family tree [American Romantic poet, critic, editor, and diplomat]. In 1863 he enlisted in the United States navy, being but seventeen years of age. He served until the close of the war in 1865, receiving meanwhile three promotions and earning his commission. He chose civil rather than military life for his subsequent career, which he sometimes regrets now. Capt. Lowell came to St. Paul in 1869, entered the police force Sept. 18, 1872, and has been in continuous service in that department ever since, making a specially meritorious record.

Capt. William Hanft, of Margaret street sub-station, was appointed to the force Jan. 4, 1875. He was born in Ohio in 1853, and came to St. Paul in 1871. He is a popular citizen and a good officer.

At the Central station, Capt. Phil W. Schweitzer holds sway. He is a St. Paul boy, too, born here March 9, 1858, which makes him one of the youngest officers on the force. His appointment as policeman dates from March 13, 1883, and his promotions have been rapid. He is of medium height and build, has bright blue eyes and pleasant features which are true indices of his nature. He is an efficient officer, and everybody likes him.

Detective Thomas Kenaley is also anold and valued police officer. He was appointed May 5, 1872, serving as patrolman for twelve years, and since as detective. Mr. Kenaley is a native of Ireland, but has lived in St. Paul since 1855, and is a Junior Pioneer.

Thomas McMahon—"Big Tom," as they call him—is also from the Green Isle, where he was born in 1833. He has been acclimated by forty-six years' residence in the United States, forty of them in St. Paul. He began to wear the star Nov. 16, 1874. He is now serving as bailiff in the municipal court, and daily marshals the tenants of the "bull pen" before their honors, and, after trial and sentence, hustles the evil-doers back to their cages.

Who knows not Officer James Nugent, of Star No. 1, the mayor's mercury and body guard? He came to St. Paul in 1854 from the city of Brotherly Love, the place of his nativity. He served several years in the St. Paul fire department, and was the first driver of Engine No. 2. He was appointed on the police force Dec. 2, 1872, performing regular patrolman's duty until 1879, when he was injured by a fall. The empty sleeve which hangs from his shoulder is mute evidence of his faithfulness and zeal, for it was while in chase of a burglar on a dark night that he stumbled into a deep, stony excavation and shattered his arm. After his recovery he resumed his duties, serving for many years as license inspector, and is now placed in the position indicated in the introductory sentence of this paragraph

It is pleasant and fitting to devote in this article a few words to a veteran of St. Paul's earliest force, Henry Galvin, who wore Star No. 1 for so many years. Officer Galvin was appointed policeman July 22, 1856, and served for thirty-six years continuously. Of that term of service thirty years were spent in actual beat-walking, the remaining six being passed in special detail at the city hall. In 1892 Officer Galvin was retired and pensioned. He is still hale and vigorous, and serves the city council in the capacity of sergeant-at-arms. Mr. Galvin is an Irishman by birth. He came to the United States in 1852 and to St. Paul in 1855.

Such, then is the picture of the St. Paul police department limned in little with vague coloring and incomplete design. Yet thus much it is that it will awaken in those who scan it some appreciation of the guardians of their lives and property and of the work they do by day and night, in seasons of heat and seasons of cold, under cloudy and dripping skies or skies bright with shining start; fair or foul the weather, it is all one to him whose ceaseless round goes on through the long chain of years.

C. J. W.