JRN 225 Writing for the Web

4th Ward Policeman Killed by Drunken Sailor

A 4th Ward Policeman was killed July 10, 1851 by a drunken sailor after attempting to break up a fight and clear the premises.

The District Attorney moved the judgment of the court in the case of Joseph Clark, convicted of the murder of 4thWard policeman, George T. Gillespie. Clark said he had nothing to say, “but I did not intend to kill the man, that is all I have to say.”

The arrested, Ellen Doyle, Michael Mulvey, James Sullivan and Joseph Clark, were seated and well dressed; they had that appearance on their faces, which appeared to signify — “Whatever happens, I’ve known the worst!”

“The person whom you murdered was a public officer,” said Judge J. Mitchell, “engaged in preserving the peace, which you, in your drunken madness, disturbed.”

The Offense and Witness Testimony

In his testimony, Sullivan said that at about 1 a.m., July 10, 1851, Gillespie,with two of the police officers of the 4th Ward in New York City, were on patrol duty at the corner of Cherry and Oliver st. While on duty, they heard a noise, as of people preparing to fight, a few doors up Oliver St.

They proceeded to the place, which was nearly opposite 68 Oliver St., and there found seven or eight sailors who were very noisy, and two of whom were apparently about to fight.

Other witnesses said that there was a great noise and indications of a fight among the sailors when the two policemen came up and requested them to disperse; that some of them left, Clark and John D. Brown remaining. Gillespie tried to get the men to go home.

While Gillespie was standing by the alley-way, Brown and Sullivan were in the alley; Clark came up and struck him on the head in a violent blow with a heavy metal piece. Gillespie fell with his head toward the street, partially over the curb stone. Clark then returned and struck Gillespie, while lying on the sidewalk, three blows on the head with the same piece of metal.

Gillespie was taken to the 4th Ward Station House and to the hospital, where he died the same night. His skull had been fractured on the left side, back of the ear at the base, extending from ear to ear.

Clark’s Court Sentencing

“The sentence of the Court is as follows, on Friday, Nov. 21, you be hung by your neck, and may God have mercy upon you,” said Mitchell.