Rotary Log: December 20.2012 (Portsmouth Police History)

John Rice led the gathered group in singing Silent Night, setting the stage for the holidays ahead.  David Holden announced the distinguished guests including former Rotarians Bill Warren and Art Cole, who started Rotary’s very successful Christmas Tree Project some 40 years ago.  Laurence Furbish and Louise Richardson, Basil’s wonderful wife, rounded out the guest contingent.

Finemaster, Butch Ricci, toured the room and nailed everyone $2 who lacked wearing Christmas attire.  Enough said.

Jim Rini, a recent attendee of Portsmouth’s Citizens Police Academy, introduced the guest speaker, Dr. David “Lou” Fernald, former Police Chief of Portsmouth, who talked about the History of Portsmouth’s Police Department(s).  Yes, plural, as there were two departments before 1913. 

Lou, dressed in his antique, custom made uniform with Bobby Hat, night stick, tuxedo bow tie and badge, shared numerous slides of Portsmouth’s Bowery Days in the early 20^th century. 

The city (11,500 pop.)was a booming trade port and earned a reputation for being a “wild place” with over 200 saloons.  Brothels and prostitution accompanied public drunkenness.  Visiting seamen, sailors, doctors, teachers, clergymen and policemen, on the “take,” characterized the rowdy downtown society and Water Street red-light district to the south.   Frequent trains from Boston paraded the new whores coming to the cat houses. The going rate was $2 for thirty minutes.  The sex business thrived!  Frank Jones, a famously successful business man and owner of the local brewery, liked prostitution.  The trade helped sell his ale and entertain his out-of-town business associates.  He supported his friend and police marshal, the controversial Thomas Entwistle, who protected the red light district until public opinion turned against flagrant prostitution.  Thomas Entwistle also quelled public turmoil involving favoritism of the mayor’s police department by merging the mayor’s police force into the Police Commission Department before his retirement in 1913.

 For more history on the subject, visit:  www.portsmouthpolicehistory.com to view a 40 minute video presentation.

          With the Holiday Season surrounding us mid-week, there will be no luncheon meetings for the balance of 2012.   See you in 2013!