Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 February 1913 — Policeman Buys an Automobile to Hold Fourteen [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Policeman Buys an Automobile to Hold Fourteen

CHICAGO. —Hegewisch is the end of the earth —the woods —the jumping off place—in the minds of members of the police department. Patrolmen have taken to drink because of being transferred to Hegewisch,, and even resignations have 'been traced to such an order. Now comes a piece of news—it happened Christmas day, but just reached the city hall from Hegewisch—which may change all this police antipathy for the suburban district. A patrolman who has traveled a beat out of the Hegewisch station made his 'family a Christmas gift of a seven passenger touring car. Policeman Peter E. Johnson is the patrolman who made the gift to his wife and their 12 children, and he ■admits that he’s going to have a hard time getting all the kids in the new automobile. According to his Hegewisch neighbors the patrolman did not strain bis pocketbook to buy the car, either, for they estimate his wealth at not less than $50,000. “Battling Nelson owns half the town of Hegewisch and Johnson owns the

other half,’’ is the way a resident of the far southeast side expressed his idea of Johnson’s worldly holdings. Johnson, who recently was made patrolwagon driver of the station, said the other day he owes his wealth to his wife. “We can afford that automobile,” he said, “and it is only a part of what is due that wife of mine, for it was she who saved the money that bought it I have done nothing but travel beat for 24 years until lately, but we have saved money every month I’ve been on the force. “As fast as we saved money we bought property, and we have enough so that I am not worrying any about the future —even if I lose my job.”