William Bramwell Sizer Diaries
February 1897

Milwaukee County Police Department

These diaries are a mixture of work and family affairs of William Bramwell Sizer. William was on the Milwaukee Police Department and a member of the Sherman Street Methodist Episcopal Church, later transferring their membership to Kingsley Methodist Episcopal Church and died in 1916. The diaries give a pretty good view of life in the years involved. The diaries were given to me for presentation on this site by family members see contributors page.

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FEBRUARY 1897

2-1-1897
Mr. Derfus, 1140-30th St. reports of losing her pocker book with
430.00 in paper money on Fond du Lac between 27th and North Ave at 11 AM. Leather pocket book with white metal clasps that closed on the side.
Went to court this morning with Mrs. Kegel Her case was continued till Wednesday. She will be examined by Drs. 5:45 PM got notice that Mrs. Kegel had hanged herself in the county jail and go to break the news to her daughter Millie. Found her 1t 1316--11th St. at Rauch's place. Told her. Poor child takes it very hard. Her husband Gustav Kegel lives at 915-Holton. They had not lived together for a year. Also notified Mrs. Zinke, who is a lodge sister to Mrs. Kegel. They belong to Martha Lodge, Sons of Hermann.

2-2-1897
Called at Grossky's, 1161-20th. His son who has been in insane asylum in Ohio came home last night. Told them to have him examined by Physicians. Weather warm, partly cloudy.

2-3-1897
Went to coroners office at 10 AM to give testimony in the case of Mrs, Kegel's suicide. Got back to my beat at 11:30.

2-4-1897
Drill day. Shooting record 7-1-8. Quiet all day.

2-5-1897
Went to Station at 1:45. Got two letters for ward foreman. Snow all day commencing at 10 AM. Mrs. Rudolph, an insane woman was taken away from 1150-22nd St. by Sheriff this forenoon. House owned by Gaertner, Blatz Park. He requested me to watch the house. Annie Wilkins, 36th and Wright, sews at Grossekys, 1161-20th. Goes down Center st. every morning- complains of a young man exposing his person to her at 25th and Center this morning.

2-6-1897
Quiet all day.

2-7-1897
Sunday. Got up late and went down Lloyd St. Quiet all day.

2-8-1897
Went out in citizens dress at 6 AM to watch for a man exposing his person on 25th and Center at 6:30 every morning. Went home, got breakfast and at 1st report got orders to take in Dopke's beat with mine. Went to dinner from 12th and Walnut.

2-9-1897
Special again this morning between 6 and 7 AM. Went on beat at 8:15 AM. Quiet up to 4 PM. Colder and cloudy all day.

2-10-1897
Special at 6 to 7AM. Snow at 9 AM. Snoed all day until 4 PM. Arrested Edw. Hesse on 18th and Fond du Lac at 5PM. D&Dis. Called the wagon from 16th and Fond du Lac.

2-11-1897
Special again this morn. Went to the Station at 8:15. Hesse discharged by Lieut. Kranich. He is subject to fits. Bertha Kroening, 2113 North Ave, rear, 36 yrs old, German, married, Disorderly warrant. Wilhelmina Lehnhuterhoff, Comp., 2111 North Ave.

2-12-1897
Went to court this morning with Bertha Kroening, Whilhelmina Lehmhuterhoff Comp. Disorderly warrent. Sentence suspended. New building, 24th and Center.

2-13-1897
Quiet all day.

2-14-1897
Sunday. St. Valentines day. Dopke and Wahlen came back from their Special
Job. (watching street cars). Went to church this evening. Mr. Krall played the cornet for us. Set a hen on 12 eggs.

2-15-1897
Quiet all day.

2-16-1897
Wm Ihlenfeld, 1163-23rd St. while driving a colt on Locust St. bewteen 18th and 19th Sts at 8:45 AM was kicked in the jaws. Both broken. I telephoned for Dr. Hoyer. Couldn't get him. Then called up Druggist Hintyz and told him to send Dr. Boermen. Fred Engelhardt, 2422 Fond du Lac saw the whole affair.

2-17-1897
New building, 29th and Hadley.2-18-1897
Drill day. Shooting report 7-0-7. Quiet all day.

2-19-1897
Dead dog, 1133-21st St.

2-20-1897
Quiet all day. Went to Jaunke's house to a bithday party this eve. Got home at 1:30 AM.

2-21-1897
Sunday. Fair and wind NE.

2-22-1897
Dead dog 3036 Locust St. Washington's birthday celebration.
2-23-1897
Fred Mueller from Jones Island fell while attempting to alight from a car on Wright and Fon du Lac at 1 PM and was almost instantly killed, his neck being broken. I was out on the Ave. at the time and did not see anything of the affair. Patrol wagon was called. Dr. Boerman had the man carried to his office where he died before the wagon arrived. Coroner took the body to the morgue. Deceased was going to Klings to get twine to make nets. Leaves a family of 8. Very cold, Wind NW.

2-24-1897
New building on 27th near Keefe Ave.

2-25-1897
Drill. Shooting record 7-1-8. Famiy trouble at 1094-17th. Sent there per tel. Found Miller there. Trouble arose because the woman wanted to leave her husband and move her furniture. Told them to go to a Justice of the Peace.

2-26-1897
Very cold this morn. Zero weather. New building on 23rd between Chamb ers and Burleigh. Dead Chicken, 1074-22nd. Dead Chicken, NW cor. 22nd and Locust.

2-27-1897
8 degrees below zero this morning. Dead chicken, 1100-24-th, Dead dog, 930-21st.

2-28-1897
Sunday. Snow this morn. Got our checks for month of Feb. Had key to
Engine House 22 and kept fire there all day.

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