Unlawful Activities in Turn of the Century Greenwich

by Jeffrey Bingham Mead
Greenwich Time: June, 1989


"Why is it," pleaded a reporter in one of the old town newspapers in 1897, "that burglars and thieves, when they ply their business in Greenwich, come on Friday nights? Saturday mornings when we arrive at the office, we expect to hear of some terrible thing that is occurred during the night. Why is it that Friday evening seems to be the time for unlawful things to shock the community to happen? Is it because Friday is considered an unlucky day?"

Police Department of Greenwich, Connecticut. Circa 1910. Photo Credit.

Crime, one problem ever present in most American communities, is interwoven in the history of any community. Over year ago, when the Historical Society opened the doors to its newly completed archives behind the Bush Holley House, some of us had quite a laugh in reading some of the accounts of earlier life here, discovering that the activities of a number of our citizens of those days were colorful, yet seemingly sparkled with those events that can turn a good day into a bad one.

I must admit that one of the most frequently read sections of any newspaper, including this one, is the police blotter, which tells the stories of those people who have gotten into some kind of trouble, from auto accidents to participation in illegal activities. 

I tend to believe that even some of the most literary among us get a certain sense of curiosity about the police blotter. Perhaps that obnoxious neighbor down the street finally got what he or she deserved, or the details of an auto accident you passed by on your way to work was discussed briefly.

I am not an authority on human nature, but I found, as Town Historian William Finch, Jr., said to all of us as we entertained ourselves that day in the archives building that bears his name, that the more things change, the more they stay the same. 

I have thus compiled a historical police blotter of sorts from the late 19th and early 20th century in Greenwich, during the area known for its great estates. If you think literally all went smoothly during those genteel, tea-party days of gentle breezes and pleasant afternoon conversations on the porches and piazzas of Greenwich, we have what I hope is an entertaining and informative surprise for you, for all was not smooth sailing in the pastoral days in this town in the Land of Steady Habits.

(*Authors note: the following are direct, authentic transcriptions from their sources. J. Mead) 

Oct. 14, 1882
Last week a raid was made on the liquor saloons of Henry C. Schnaultz, at East Port Chester, and of John Daly of Cos Cob, who were selling without a license. A considerable variety and quantity of intoxicating drinks were seized, under the new statute, and adjudged a nuisance by Justice Russell. Constable Dayton intends to execute his final warrant and pour the liquor into the gutter this afternoon.

Nov. 11, 1882
On Thursday night, Mr. Seaman Mead had a horse stolen from the pasture and a black bob-tailed horse left in its stead. Mr. Mead does not regarded it as a fair exchange and is in pursuit of the thief.

Oct. 21, 1882
On Friday afternoon of last week while Mr. David S. Husted was at work in the fields, someone entered his home and stole a good watch and a sum of money. The theft was probably committed by a tramp.

As Mrs. L. P. Hubbard was returning from church last Sunday evening, and when crossing the avenue near the corner of Mechanic Street, she was run into and knocked down by a carriage coming from the west, which was driven by Mr. George W. Scott of Mianus, and contained Rev. A. Scofield of Cos Cob, who had been preaching in the Methodist Church of this place. At the time Mrs. Hubbard was knocked down, she was looking for a carriage coming from the east and did not see that one coming in the opposite direction. As soon as Mr. Scott could stop his horse, they returned to take care of Mrs. Hubbard, and found her being cared for by a couple of gentlemen who happened to be near by. Mrs. Hubbard was considerably bruised, though not seriously, and is now rapidly improving.

Jan. 3, 1909
Mrs. Mariana Catorie, having been brought to justice this week, keeps a boarding house on N_g__r Hole Hill. Her husband has deserted her, and she has two children. She sold some liquor to the boarders, and in the house was found three cases of beer, a gallon of wine and some whiskey. In Borough Court, Judge Tierney imposed a fine of $10 and costs.

John Harper, chauffeur, Tuesday night had taken Benjamin Strong from the Greenwich station to Conyers Manor in a big limousine car, and in leaving the car skidded on the ice and overturned, badly smashing the top. Fortunately Harper was able to crawl from under unhurt.

June 12, 1897
A vicious dog belonging to a tribe of gypsies was shot on the corner of Greenwich in Putnam Avenues on Saturday noon. The cur had bitten two persons and was alarming the neighborhood, when Sheriff Fitzroy drew his revolver and put an end to his career. The gypsies, after he was shot, claimed they did not own him.

Aug. 14, 1897
A wild man is exciting the people of Long Ridge (Stamford). He is said to be about 35 years of age, dresses neatly, but he has a wild look. He makes his home in a blackberry field and has frightened a number of the women by his unexpected movement, and seems to be as afraid of the sex as they are of him.

1898 (undated)
Mrs. Wilbur, an elderly lady who is visiting her sister in Cos Cob, went out to pick blackberries Wednesday morning. Her being away so long, the family became alarmed, and several men and boys went in search of her. Mrs. William Teed found her almost 5 miles from the house where she was visiting. As soon as Mrs. Teed could calm the old lady she learned where she was staying and quickly took her home. It seems that while she was picking berries, she lost her way and had wandered through the swamp, where she lost her shoes, and a thick wood, in her efforts to find her way home.

Sept. 25, 1909
In Borough Court on Monday, the charge against Bernard Hanniker, a boarder, for assaulting William Anderson, was heard. He was also charged with resisting arrest, attempting to strike an officer and striking a man the officer called for assistance. His attorney, James R. Mead, in admitting the offense, asked that a fine and not a jail sentence be imposed. Judge Hubbard made the fine $7 and costs.

Sept. 25, 1909
James Jones of Cos Cob was found on the trolley track by the crew of a car and laid alongside the track. Another crew found him back on the track again and removed him. By this time an officer had come and taken charge of him, and Judge Hubbard sentenced him to a fine of $5 and costs.

Jan. 28, 1882
A. William Hamilton and Frank Moshier were speeding a fast trotter belonging to the former down Greenwich Avenue on Wednesday afternoon, the wheel of the phaeton was broken by striking a heap of frozen earth and the occupants thrown out, but fortunately no more serious damage was done.

Sept. 30, 1882
The residence of Mrs. Titus Mead, North Street, was burglariously entered a short time ago, and some property stolen. Last Sunday night the coach house was entered, but the coachman, Jas. Davis, who was sleeping therein, awoke and arrested the intruder. Nothing was stolen, however, and after giving the fellow a sharp lecture Mr. Davis let him go. The man is said to have been formally in Mrs. Mead's employ, and opinion is divided as to whether he entered the coach house merely to sleep, or did so with burglarious intent.

Feb. 11, 1882
While returning from Port Chester about 5 o'clock Monday afternoon, and when near the top of Col. Thomas Mead's hill, a sleigh containing Counsellor R. Jay Walsh and Deputy Sheriff Reynolds was upset, the occupants escaping serious injury. The public will breathe easier that these illustrious lives have been spared, and wrongdoers have still reason to tremble in their shoes. 


Jeffrey Bingham Mead, a direct descendant of one of the founding families of the town, is a free-lance writer and a member of the Greenwich Historical Society.