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MARSHALL KEHOE'S REIGN.- page 54 -
BACK in the old days when Norwood's souls numbered as many hundreds as they now do thousands, Gerald Kehoe was the village man of all work. Many was the role he filled during the week, and he starred in everything, from a landscape gardener to a gentleman who shoveled coal. When Norwood donned her first robes as a municipal baby, Gerald Kehoe was called into service as town marshal. Many are the stories told of his career in that office, and one of the best dates back to one Fourth of July. That morning, while Mayor McNeill was quietly celebrating the Nations' birthday, Marshal Kehoe made his appearance, and informed his honor of a threatened raid of shell workers.
"There be a lot of 'em coming out this afternoon," declared the marshal, "and I think I'll nade four extra policemen!" And so the mayor indorsed the plan for more protection, making the stipulation that the Marshall swear them in. Gathering the quartet of his chosen followers together Marshal Kehoe marched them to the town hall, where Clerk Wichgar happened to be at the moment. Arming his recruits with clubs, Marshal Kehoe got them in line, and proceeded to administer the oath of office: "Hold up your right hands!" he commanded (Four arms of assorted sizes were raised in the air.) "Do yez solemnly swear," continued the marshal, "to support the consitution of the United States and the constitution of the State of Ohio." At this point he got off the constitutional track, but after a moment's pause, he concluded, in triumphant tones, "and do yez promise to serve the village of Norwood, as policemen, as you would afore God?" The newly pledged officers swung their clubs all that day, but the shell workers changed their route and did not go through Norwood. ——— – ——— |
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