James Dyson

icghosts · Post by **icghosts** » Fri Dec 31, 2004 9:31 am

James Dyson, was a Fall River Policeman, who along with other officers guarded the Borden House on August 4, 1892. He died April 29, 1914, and he buried in Fall River...Diocesan Catholic Cemetery

Here is his obituary:

James Dyson was one of the oldest memebers of the Police Department both inyears and in time of service. He had been off duty only since last Saturday. Death resulted from pneumonia. Mr. Dyson had not been in robast health for some years, and partly on this account and partly because of his advancing years he was transferred from patrol duty to that of stewart. He was born in England August 16, 1842, and came to this country when a youth. He was appointed a patrol man, Feb 1, 1881 and assigned to night patrol duty continuing at that duty until 1897. when was made a day patrolman. June 24, 1901, he was transferred to night stewart duty and assigned to station 3, at the Flint, where he had since served. June 18, 1913, when the rank of stewart was abolished, he was promoted to the rank of patrolman, continuing to serve as night stewart. Officer Dyson was a quiet, steady man, doing his duty faithfully. All who knew him liked, as well as respected him. He had no enemies. His wife, who had been his faithful helpmate for many years, died about a year ago. The funeral arrangements will be announced later.

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Fri Dec 31, 2004 4:25 pm

Thanks for the transcription of the interesting item!
Did that come from the FR Police web-site?

I was looking for other officers who were guarding the house the night of the 4th when I worked on my cellar article and only found Hyde, George Ferguson and John Minneham mentioned in the Trial for that night. I searched "Dyson" and he's not in there. Of course, there were officers we aren't familiar with involved, so a new name is appreciated.
"James Dyson" sounds familiar, though. It will be interesting to find out where you got this.

icghosts · Post by **icghosts** » Fri Dec 31, 2004 4:42 pm

The Fall River Library sent me this information, so I was graceful for this.. James Dyson is listed in the book Yesterday in Old Fall River.

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Fri Dec 31, 2004 5:00 pm

That's cool!
Did they tell you which paper it came from?

Har & I have been struggling with news items which had no newspaper name on them. Is this one of those, where the paper wasn't noted?

icghosts · Post by **icghosts** » Fri Dec 31, 2004 5:16 pm

I requested his obituary and they send it to me. I usually send 1.00 for a obituary

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Fri Dec 31, 2004 8:33 pm

I give up.
I assume they did not note the source of the obit, is that correct?

icghosts · Post by **icghosts** » Fri Dec 31, 2004 11:39 pm

The obit came from the Fall River newspaper, No name of the paper nor the dates.
They had to look up to see when Mr Dyson died and then found it on a microfiche.

Harry · Post by **Harry** » Fri Dec 31, 2004 11:57 pm

Dyson is mentioned in two newspaper articles. This is from the Sourcebook (the Fall River Herald, probably around August 10) page 104:

"At the Borden house Officer Chace stood guard at the front door by day and Officers McCarty and Reagan, second, at night. Officer Hyde looked out for the rear in the daytime and Officers Dyson, Minnehan and Ferguson assisted after dark"

And this from the FR Globe, August 5:

"Officers Dyson, Ferguson, Barker and Hyde remained in and around the house until 1 o'clock this morning. Then Officers Doherty and Harrington went inside and Officer John McCarty and Shea patrolled outside until 8 o'clock this morning."

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Sat Jan 01, 2005 1:40 am

This is getting better you guys! Thanks ICG so much for persevering with my questions.
It's a bad on the Library to leave off the citation, but I guess if they never had it to begin with, what can they do?
As I mentioned, Harry & I struggle with that every day.
Also, I'm glad to get these new characters names!
So thanks for paying the dollar!
Very useful.
And thanks Har!