While there are so many unexpected possibilities all in a
day’s work for those employed in law enforcement, one hardly expects to serve
as investigator on one’s own behalf. Don’t put that beyond Sergeant John Kelly Stevens, who found himself doing just that.
On September 16, 1899, The
Fort Wayne News must have gotten a chuckle out of entering the title, “Finds
His Trowel: Sergeant Stevens Finds His Own Property in a Pawn Shop.”
Yesterday Sergeant Stevens, of the police force, was compelled to do a little detective work for himself. About two weeks ago a moulder called upon the sergeant at police headquarters to borrow his moulder's trowel. The police officer loaned the man the implement and he went to work at the Bass foundry. A few days ago the sergeant learned that the man had quit and gone out on a wild drunk. The officer began making inquiries for the tool and soon learned that the fellow had skipped out. Last night the officer recovered the borrowed article at a South Calhoun street pawn shop.
As picayune as it might sound, his towel was important. A moulder was a tradesman that had to own his own tools in order to work.
ReplyDeleteHis trade was often hot, steamy, smokey, filthy dirty, and sometimes dangerous (think molten iron at 1400 F being poured into the molds - with the risk of them breaking).
John Kelly Stevens' handiwork may still survive - the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania might have some examples of it. (http://www.rrmuseumpa.org/) They are very much an active "history and records" outfit - they might even enjoy searching for some of it for you.
That's incredible to think that some of John Kelly Stevens' work might be part of that display, Iggy. Thanks for sharing that link! As I delve further into this family, additional links to the Pennsylvania Railroad will surface--such an integral part of life for those people back then!
DeleteAh, good one!
ReplyDelete...and I don't suppose he had to pay to get it back, either ;)
Delete:) Good story!
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing, the little tidbits I've been able to find on this man, all thanks to the local newspapers! So thankful for the online resources that makes historic newspapers so easily searchable.
DeleteVery good! When I first read the title, I thought you might be using "trowel" in a metaphorical sense, as in "laying it on with a trowel." But a real trowel in a pawn shop is even better.
ReplyDeleteNo, this one was for real, Mariann! John Kelly Stevens used to work in a foundry before taking on his assignment with the Fort Wayne Police Department. Evidently, he still had all his equipment. Makes me wonder how secure he felt about his tenure with the police force.
Delete