Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 February 1913 — LONDON WATCHHOUSE GOING [ARTICLE]

LONDON WATCHHOUSE GOING

Historic Building, Adjoining Bt. Botolph's Churchyard, la Being Demolished. London.—Rarely does a new tourist season come around but American visitors look in vain for some of the “sights” of the old London described in the guide books. These are all gradually disappearing. Now the old London watch-housp, adjoining 8L Botolph’s churchyard, in Bishopsgate, is being demolished. The history of the quaint little building is somewhat prosaic, considering the stirring times of its earlier existence. Nevertheless, it carried with it interesting memoris of a time when the men engaged in the policing of London more frequently carried their lives in their hands than they do today. It is one of the last Institutions of the kind in the city, and when it gives place to modern business premises a link with the pass will be missing. Erected in 1774, while James Townsend was alderman of Blshopsggte ward, it was enlarged in 1829. John Yerbury took over the old building in 1836, when it was decided to build a new police station and vacate the watch-house His son and grandson—

Messrs. W. H. Yerbury and 8. P. Yerbury—were unaware of this enlargement until a few days ago, when it was revealed through the uncovering of an inscribed stone by the workmen. 4 t “There used to be cells when we came here in 1865,” remarked S. P. Yerbury to a visitor, “but, of course, they passed away during reconstruction for business purposes. The cells in the basement are now a cellar. The foundation in the churchyard used to be beside the old watch-house, close to the railings in Bishopsgate, but it was removed, owing to the spray splashing foot passengers.