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Story
July 29, 1871
The Sun
New York, New York County, New York
What is this article about?
Thomas O'Brien, a drunk hackman, drives recklessly down Sixth Avenue in New York, evades mounted Officer Dougherty in a chase, but is stopped by Officer Currie near Fifth Avenue and arrested at West 30th Street station, using the false name James McDonald.
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OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
THE SIXTH AVENUE RACES.
Crowe's Flyer to Light Wagon Driven by McDonald—Drippy at Mark Maguire's and a Sudden Halt Down Town.
Thomas O'Brien is a hackman of 567 Hudson street. After a long siege of work, O'Brien went yesterday to Crowe's stables and engaged fast horse and a light wagon. He drove out to the Boulevards, thence to Mark Maguire's, not forgetting to stop and water his horse at almost every public house on the road. By the time O'Brien arrived at McCombe's Dam his vision had become dimmed, and when his horse's head was turned homeward his sight was so badly obscured that he did not know whether he was manipulating the ribbons over two horses or one. But the horse he drove was a knowing animal, and had oftentimes traveled the road before.
When O'Brien arrived at Fifty-sixth street and Sixth avenue, on the home stretch, his senses had in a measure returned, and as it was waxing late he concluded to push on. Slacking rein and giving his horse the wind, he sped down Sixth avenue at a 2:40 gait. As he neared Forty-ninth street the lynx eyes of Officer Dougherty, of the mounted police, fell on him. Dougherty hailed him. O'Brien stopped and Dougherty told him he was a prisoner.
"All right," said O'Brien, "I'll go along."
O'Brien drove slowly along down Sixth avenue in the direction of the West Thirtieth street station. Dougherty riding alongside. The driver and his escort had gone quietly as far as Fourteenth street, but there O'Brien turned to the officer, and with the end of his thumb placed on the tip of his nose, said:
"You must think I'm a cursed fool, eh?"
With this he whipped up his horse and started down the avenue like a streak of lightning Officer Dougherty put spurs to his horse and pursued. But his horse, like John Gilpin's, carried weight, and the man in the buggy turned fairly. At Seventh street three lengths ahead of him. Dougherty yelled that if he did not stop he would shoot. O'Brien didn't scare worth a cent, and turning in the seat he yelled back:
"Shoot and be hanged."
But at Thirty-seventh street and Fifth avenue Officer Currie was stationed. Taking in the situation at a glance, Currie headed out the fugitive and brought him to a halt. He was taken to the West Thirtieth street station, and there he gave his name as James McDonald
Crowe's Flyer to Light Wagon Driven by McDonald—Drippy at Mark Maguire's and a Sudden Halt Down Town.
Thomas O'Brien is a hackman of 567 Hudson street. After a long siege of work, O'Brien went yesterday to Crowe's stables and engaged fast horse and a light wagon. He drove out to the Boulevards, thence to Mark Maguire's, not forgetting to stop and water his horse at almost every public house on the road. By the time O'Brien arrived at McCombe's Dam his vision had become dimmed, and when his horse's head was turned homeward his sight was so badly obscured that he did not know whether he was manipulating the ribbons over two horses or one. But the horse he drove was a knowing animal, and had oftentimes traveled the road before.
When O'Brien arrived at Fifty-sixth street and Sixth avenue, on the home stretch, his senses had in a measure returned, and as it was waxing late he concluded to push on. Slacking rein and giving his horse the wind, he sped down Sixth avenue at a 2:40 gait. As he neared Forty-ninth street the lynx eyes of Officer Dougherty, of the mounted police, fell on him. Dougherty hailed him. O'Brien stopped and Dougherty told him he was a prisoner.
"All right," said O'Brien, "I'll go along."
O'Brien drove slowly along down Sixth avenue in the direction of the West Thirtieth street station. Dougherty riding alongside. The driver and his escort had gone quietly as far as Fourteenth street, but there O'Brien turned to the officer, and with the end of his thumb placed on the tip of his nose, said:
"You must think I'm a cursed fool, eh?"
With this he whipped up his horse and started down the avenue like a streak of lightning Officer Dougherty put spurs to his horse and pursued. But his horse, like John Gilpin's, carried weight, and the man in the buggy turned fairly. At Seventh street three lengths ahead of him. Dougherty yelled that if he did not stop he would shoot. O'Brien didn't scare worth a cent, and turning in the seat he yelled back:
"Shoot and be hanged."
But at Thirty-seventh street and Fifth avenue Officer Currie was stationed. Taking in the situation at a glance, Currie headed out the fugitive and brought him to a halt. He was taken to the West Thirtieth street station, and there he gave his name as James McDonald
What sub-type of article is it?
Crime Story
What themes does it cover?
Crime Punishment
What keywords are associated?
Drunk Driving
Police Chase
Arrest
Sixth Avenue
Horse Chase
What entities or persons were involved?
Thomas O'brien
Officer Dougherty
Officer Currie
James Mcdonald
Where did it happen?
Sixth Avenue, New York
Story Details
Key Persons
Thomas O'brien
Officer Dougherty
Officer Currie
James Mcdonald
Location
Sixth Avenue, New York
Event Date
Yesterday
Story Details
Drunk hackman Thomas O'Brien drives fast down Sixth Avenue, is arrested by Officer Dougherty but escapes in a chase, only to be captured by Officer Currie and taken to West 30th Street station where he gives the false name James McDonald.