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G. Favor, (1885-80, 1890); Frank Wood, (1887); Charles Howard, (1891-94); George R. Davis, (1894-1901); William B. Moffatt, (1901-1909); Redmond Welch, (1909-22); Thomas R. Atkinson,I (1922-25); Hugh Downey, (1925-36); Michael H. Winn, (1936 to date). In addition to the permanent heads of the Police depart-, ment, the records list as “acting superintendents” James Brosnan in 1909 and Winfred C. MacBrayne in 1922.Police officers of yesteryear required mostly brawn to become recognized as the better officers of the department, it being conceded that the “blue coat” of the early days did not require any book knowledge or any information on matters of law. It is true that the law in the “good old days” was at a minimum, since legislators had not gone about legislating every move of man or beast. With the laws of old and the laws adopted in the last 30 years, an officer needs be almost an attorney to know when and where he has a right to arrest a person. This requirement of knowledge of law has necessitated that officers be given brief law courses, such as have been in vogue in Lowell for the past several years.An officer well versed in the fundamentals of law makes a better witness in court.Court AccommodationsWhen one visits the modem District Court building today, one finds much better accommodations than presiding judges enjoyed in the early days of the city. On May 26, 1926, the present court house in Hurd street was opened with formality by Judge J. Enright, who had sat on the previous day in the court room which was part of the present police station building.Lowell District court first came into existence, under the name of Lowell Police court, in 1833, it being the third opened in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The court held its session for some years in the present Central Block in Central street. The polic station having been constructed, the court was moved to the second floor of the building where it held sway over the destiny of evil doers until 1959, when the quarters of the court which had been renovated the previous year, were badly damaged by fire. While the courtroom was being repaired and enlarged, sessions were held in Jackson hall, where the Lowell Y.M.C.A. now stands. After an absence of several months the court returned to its quarters in the police station building where it remained until its own private building was opened in Hurd street.Procedure in courts has changed considerably through the years. Probably, one of the main branches of court punishment, was not known in those days. Evil doers either went to jail or went : scott free, with “nothing hanging over their heads to force them to follow the straight and narrow path.List of JudgesMany of those who sat as justices in the District court became leading figures not only in the life of the community, but in state and national affairs. Joseph Locke served as first judge of the District court and was succeeded by Nathan Crosby, Samuel P. Hadley, Thomas J. Enright, Frederic A. Fisher and Patrick J. Reynolds, the incumbent. Associate justices who served the court were Nathaniel Wright, Joel Adams, George Stevens, Andrew F. Jewett John Davis, Frederick T. Green-haldge who also served as governor of Massachusetts, John J. Pickman, Charles S. Lilley, John F. Frye, Haven S. Hill, and the present incumbents, James E. O’Donnell, Arthur L. Eno and Richard Brabrook Walsh, nomin-■ ated to succeed Judge Hill at the time of his recent death.Court punishments have been i tempered with kindness andhumane treatment. Only in the case of habitual criminals will the court impose harsh sentences. Normally the first appearance, on all except major crimes, will draw a warning with probation. A second offense may be treated with a suspended sentence, but the third appearance for the same offense, brings the wrath of justice down upon the head of the offender of the rights of the public.Raymond P. Bourgeois is the present clerk of court, succeeding Edward W. Trull, who held the post for many years.And in the modem run of things in connection with the court we find the probation department playing an important part, headed by Joseph L. Cronin, a former newspaper man. With him are William J. Craig, handling the juvenile work and Mrs. Mary A. Hearn taking care of the women’s field.
Newspaper Details
Lowell Courier-Citizen
Lowell, Massachusetts, US
Thu, Oct 31, 1940
Page 85
Full Page
Clipped by
Pete M.
USA 15 May 2025
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