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KNOXVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT
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Reorganization during the Civil War Capt. J.J. Atkins, Chief of Police Police Killed / injured in the line of duty
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As was the case with the fire department in this city, the police department, as regularly organized and as having a recognized head, did not materialize until after the first half of the nineteenth century had become a matter of history. The man who is said to have first urged the need of organized fire protection for Knoxville, is the man who bears the distinction of having served from the town marshal of old into the regular police force. D. J. Stacks, this man, was the last regular town marshal before the organization of the police department, and he was also identified with the department after its institution. Many of the oldest residents remember with interest Mr. Stacks' work as town marshal. It was he who exercised the greatest precaution in looking after negro slaves in the ante-bellum [sic] days, seeing that none went upon the streets after nine o'clock at night without a passport from the slave holder. It is said of him that he carried a cowhide within a cane with which he beat belligerent slaves into submission and escorted them to their masters or to the jail when they were out without permission. The law, in those days, was very rigid against slaves being out after hours without permission, and Mr. Stacks saw that this law was enforced during his administration. Mr. Stacks was appointed town marshal about 1840, and he served until 1859, when he retired from the police force. He was the whole police department until 1854, when Fuller Ryan was appointed his assistant. But Mr. Ryan's term was short-lived, and soon Elijah Dunn, father of W. W. Dunn, who is now in the money order department of the local postoffice [sic], was named as his successor. The second assistant was chosen in 1855. He was James Nelson, father of Recorder C. C. Nelson. Mr. Nelson was subsequently succeeded by William Smith. who, with Mr. Stacks and Columbus Carliss, formed the town's guardians of the peace in 1855-'56. Charles Morrow was made the official " lamp lighter" in 1855, and he was endowed with powers of assistant marshal, and frequently served in that capacity. It was in January, 1857, that the first regular chief of police was named, and that the first brass buttoned officer patrolled the streets of this city. The city commission, for the method of government then was by commission and not by council or board of public works, named M. V. Bridwell chief of police. His assistants, two in number, were D. J. Stacks and Charles Morrow, both of whom are mentioned above. Mr. Bridwell's uniform was a handsome gray cloth, with standing collar and long Prince Albert cut. It was adorned in front by a row of brass buttons. This, as above stated, was the first police uniform worn here. In January, 1859, another change was made in the police department. This time two chiefs were selected, a day chief and a night chief. The day chief was S. P. Waddel and the night man was Mr. Bridwell. Each of them had two assistants. Those with Mr. Waddell were Charles Morrow and Calvin Zachery, and those with Capt. Bridwell were D. J. Stacks and Marshal Pesterfield. As above stated Mr. Stacks left the service in 1859. The next change, in January, 1860, was the election of a man to the office of chief of police, tax collector and market master. This " Poo Bah " office was given to Marshal Pesterfield, who held it until the January following, when William Knott was elected market master and tax collector, leaving Mr. Pesterfield with the one office, chief of police. This he held until his death in June, 1862. He was accidentally shot in the ankle, by a soldier's rifle at the railroad depot falling to the platform and discharging. The ball entered Mr. Pesterfield's ankle, and he failed to have it removed in time to save his life. Mr. Knott then took up Mr. Pesterfield's duties, and filled the office, together with his other work, until martial law was declared in October, 1862. This was done by Col. Woods, of the Fifteenth Alabama regiment, confederate troops stationed here. Knoxville remained under the domination of military surveilance [sic] until June, 1863, when the federal troops took possession. The federal commander raised the martial law, and it behooved the city officials to again provide a police force. J. C. Luttrell, father of J. C. and S. B. Luttrell of today, was then mayor of the city. He secured the appointment of Capt. M.V. Bridwell as chief of police again, and Capt. Bridwell accepted. He was given the following men as his force : W. W. Dunn, Larkin Gammon, Thomas Jordan, John Rice, William Bice, John Griffin, Lazarus Osborne, Benjamin Camp, Rusus Kenndey, John Jones, Pat Cain, John Kennedy and Wm. Fischer. These men served with Capt. Bridwell as chief, until January, 1868, when a change of city administration occurred. S.P. Waddle, who had been on the force in previous years, as stated above, was then elected chief to succed [sic] Capt. Bridwell. Mr. Waddel served until 1871, when Moses Claiborne was elected chief, and was given twelve men on his force. Five were on day duty and five night, and, at the city hall during both day and night, was a watchman, to answer calls, as at present. In 1873 James Pickens was made chief of police, and in 1874 William A. Harper was given the position. During the administration of Claiborne, and also a portion of Harper's administration, Sanford Smith was a patrolman, and it is said he was one of the best men in the service. In 1884 when the next change in administration came, Mr. Smith was elected chief of police, which position he held until 1885. Smith was succeeded by Capt. J. J. Atkins, the present chief. Capt. Atkins was market master under the latter years of Mr. Smith's career as chief, and he made a most efficient officer. It was his strict attention to duty and his executive ability and general fitness for the place that caused his election as Mr. Smith's successor. He served out Mr. Smith's unexpired term, and was then elected to be chief by the first Board of Public Works. Col. Isham Young was the chairman of this first board. Capt. Atkins then remained in office until 1898, when he was relieved by C. A. Reeder, whom he subsequently relieved January last. Capt. Atkins bears the distinction of having held the title of chief of police of Knoxville longer than any other man. During his service as chief he has always enjoyed the confidence and esteem of his men, and likewise of citizens generally. He has built up the department from a comparatively small beginning to its present magnitude and state of efficiency. Capt. Atkins is wearing as his official badge, a star and shield which was handed down from his predecessor. It has been worn by but three men, Smith, Atkins and Reeder, and Capt. Atkins has had it the majority of the twenty or more years of its existence as a chief's badge. It bears the words " city marshal," although he is now the chief of police. Capt. Atkins' assistants in the departments now are Lieuts. W. P. Chandler and George McIntyre. Both have proven themselves most efficient officers and with their men strictly enforce the laws. Lieut. Chandler was, previous to going on the force, a member of the editorial staff of The Sentinel, being telegraph editor. He had previously been with the old Tribune. He is a young man of ability, and is especially gifted to the work he now has in hand. Lieut. McIntyre was on the force, as second lieutenant, under Capt. Atkins in 1896-'97. He then became private detective for the Southern Railway, which position he held until he was elected to his present position last January. He is a natural born detective, and whenever he starts after a criminal he usually succeeds in running down the individual wanted. He is doing some good work, and is being complimented here and elsewhere. The remaining men on the force with these three officials are: First sergeant, Ed. Conner; second sergeant, W. P. Malone; third sergeant, Ed. Haynes; day police desk sergeant, R. P. Williams; night police desk sergeant, John L Austin ; police matron, Mrs. E. C. Wright ; day prison watchman, Henry Davis; night prison watchman, B. F. Webb; patrolmen, R. L. Saylor, Mike Wrenn, Pat Connelly, Joe Cruze, Garrett Mynatt, T. F. Ward, John Hubbs, Will Coleman, J. D. Selby, Oscar DeArmond, J. H. Freeman, James Montgomery, James Long, Dennis Finley, W. M. Dinwiddie, S. C. Giles, Joe Reynolds (col.), F. H. Sterchi, Bart Childress, Dan Leahy. The last three patrolmen are the only members of the present force retained from the last administration. Supernumeraries, R. J. McCroskey, Harve Swaggerty, Frank Dobson, William Lillison and I. H. Kyle. The method of choosing members of the police force is a matter of interest and historic development. As stated elsewhere, in early years the city was governed by a commission instead of a council, and this commission named the policemen. About 1868 the new charter, providing for two aldermen from each ward, went into effect, and the board of mayor and aldermen then elected the chief of police and his assistants. This continued until 1886, when the present regime became effective, and the election of the police force was transferred to the board of public works. As stated above, Col. Isham Young was the first chairman of the board of public works, and his associates were Peter Kern and A. N. Jackson. Mr. Jackson is now a Methodist minister, a member of Holston conference, M. E. church, south. Three
men have been killed while performing duties as
members of the police force, and one man lost an eye in the
service. The killed were: William Dozier was shot by a man, whose name not now recalled by anyone familiar with police history. He was attempting to arrest the individual, who was drunk at the "Dew Drop Inn," a resort located on Gay street, directly opposite the present car barn of the Knoxville Traction Company. Dozier was shot through the heart and died instantly. Nathan Haynes lost his life at the hands of Thomas Dozier, a brother of the first policeman killed. Haynes was attempting to arrest Dozier, and a difficulty ensued in which the fatal shot was fired. The killing occurred on Gay street, about half way between Main and Hill avenues. The third and last tragic incident in the police history was the killing of George Hoyle, on Commerce avenue, by George Thurmer. Thurmer is still living, having served a term in the penitentiary for killing the policeman. Thurmer was in trouble on Central street, and Hoyle arrested him and started in the direction of the city hall. When in front of Logan's temple Thurmer resisted and the two men grappled. In the melee Thurmer fired and the shot was fatal. Hoyle lived but a few hours thereafter. Thurmer is said to have many times lamented this deed. Until 1891 the city police were compelled to drag their drunken and other finds to the city prison, if they were not fortunate enough to find an accommodating drayman at hand, who was willing to give the subject a free ride. Frequently it required two or more men to carry a drunk man, and the sight on the streets was anything but edifying. The legislature of '91 passed a law requiring cities to provide patrol wagons, and, as a result, Knoxville soon had one. It is still in service, and apparently answers the purpose quite satisfactorily, as Knoxville is not the disorderly city some places of its size are wont to be. The first calaboose or city jail used by the officers of the law was located on Cumberland street, just below the vacant lot adjacent to the Star Steam Laundry. It was there from about 1850 to 1854, when a change was made. The first floor only of the building was used as the calaboose, and the second floor was given over to private parties. In 1858 the calaboose was moved to a building on Prince street, directly opposite the site where now stands the McNutt building. This structure was retained as the cage for the unruly until the latter part of the sixties, when the city hall was erected. In this city hall building, which was torn away in 1888 to give place to the present structure, was located the calaboose. In the building interval. the calaboose was in the rear of the fire department station on State street. When the present building was completed in 1888, apartments were assigned in it to the calaboose. These were retained until about three years ago, when the present city jail, in the Commerce avenue fire station building, was provided. The location of this jail has been the source of much debate and question, in view of the fact that it is not desirable in any locality, and that it is not now permanently located. However, the disturbance from the present jail is as slight as could be expected, considering the location. The city patrolmen are all on foot. Several years ago the board of public works determined to experiment with mounted policemen. Two handsome horses were purchased at the city's expense, and patrolmen were assigned to mounted duty. They managed to patrol considerable territory, but it was finally deemed more expedient and beneficial to put the cost of the horses into salaries for one or more policemen. This was done, and since then the mounted police idea has never been attempted here. One of the features of the Knoxville police department, which has been introduced in late years is that under the direction of the police matron. Mrs. L. C. French was elected police matron in August, 1890, holding it only about three months, being succeeded by Mrs. E. C. Wright, who was elected in November 1890, and who has held the office ever since that time. Several efforts have been made to abolish the office of police matron but all without success, as friends of Mrs. Wright's good work have each time insisted upon her continuance in the beneficent work she has in hand. Many women, boys and girls have been reclaimed from criminal careers, many little ones have been given good homes, and many indigent women and children have been rendered valuable material assistance in time of need, all through efforts directed by Mrs. Wright. She has an office in the city hall, where she is consulted by members of the police department relative to matters coming under her surveillance [sic]. She wears a police star bearing the words "police matron," and she is ever alert to find some worthy unfortunate to whom she can extend help and assistance. Knoxville
people are proud of their police department and of the efficient work
it is doing. Not a week passes but that some good work is done,
or some compliment paid the department for its efficiency.
These compliments, in many instances, come from chiefs of police in
other cities, where the work of the local force is
appreciated. Under the present management the force bids
fair to continue their enviable record. |
