The Copper and the Crook - Production & Contact Info (original) (raw)

John Walsh was born and raised in the lower East Side, there, as boy and man, he had worked and played, laughed and cried, and the conditions and customs of this vicinity were an open book to him. Early to appreciate the value of an ...See moreJohn Walsh was born and raised in the lower East Side, there, as boy and man, he had worked and played, laughed and cried, and the conditions and customs of this vicinity were an open book to him. Early to appreciate the value of an education, he managed to struggle through public school, not a struggle as far as intelligence was concerned, but a struggle to remain in school because of his being obliged to help towards the support of his family. He managed to do more than his share in this respect, by selling papers and doing odd jobs before and after school hours. Arriving at manhood his cherished ambition was realized, for he secured an appointment on the police force. He was that type of young New Yorker who has made the history of the metropolis, in politics, in business and yes, in finance. Skinny Leach was that other type of East Sider who fill our police courts and jails. As a boy he was constantly sought by the truant officer or kept busy eluding the police. As a youth he slept in hallways or wagons, and as a man became the leader of a growler gang, living by levying tribute from inoffensive Chinamen and Hebrews for funds with which to rush the can. It was ordained that these two opposites meet, for when the young patrolman was assigned to duty, his post was located in the vicinity of Five Points and Chinatown. Here is where the growler gang held sway and where Leach ruled. Hazing is not only practiced at West Point, for at Five Points the kid coppers must go through their course of sprouts, and believe us from what we've heard, we would prefer the Army brand of hazing. "The easiest way may be the best," and "You may catch more flies with molasses than with salt." But John knew his people, to win the respect of the gang element yon must be a better man. "Hey, fellers, there's a new cop on the beat. He soaked me for trying to do Mickey the Bootblack out of the price." That was all that was necessary; such an affront to the gang was not to be tolerated and they proceeded to do the fresh cop, and they almost succeeded, too, but for Mickey the Bootblack and his sister Nell. The gang got John; they beat him up good and they finally cooped him up in a Chinese chop suey joint for the new cop gave a good account of himself, as future reference. It was not all one-sided, though, the leader of the growler gang can testify. When Mickey reached the station house the reserves had an incentive for haste, for one of their fellows needed help. Copper and crook have no love for each other and it was a merry little war that Chinatown witnessed that day, on the street, through houses and on the roofs, that gallant squad of bluecoats took the opportunity to settle many an old score. Leach got his, about five years, ample time and opportunity to reflect upon the error of his ways. We are glad to say that he did. He tried to get work after he had done his bit, but, well a jailbird doesn't always get a show, maybe he is hounded by the police. This ex-convict was arrested on general principles and brought before Captain Walsh, and that's why he is an honest hard-working man to-day. He did not receive a lecture on the error of his ways; he was given a chance, "If you'll stand for him, Cap, I'll give him a job. Can you drive, young feller? Git up." Leach owns a couple of teams himself now. The other day he delivered a package to Mrs. Captain Walsh, Mickey's sister, how did you guess? And she let him kiss the baby, too. That's an East Side evidence of good will. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less