Police Diary, Vancouver: July 16 to 31, 1931

From the notebooks of Walter Rawlinson (1892-1945), Vancouver Police Department detective:

Thursday, July 16, 1931

2pm: Commenced duty.
3pm: Answered call to 1348 E Hastings St. Interviewed Mr R McDougall re man passing worthless cheque.
3:30pm: As a result of above, arrested Vernon Stewart, 2569 W 4th Ave, age 17 years, charged with attempt to obtain goods under false pretenses (OGFP). Taken to Juvenile Home.
6:45pm: Answered call to the Irwinton Apartments, 77 Burrard St, re sudden death of Mrs Freda B Wallace, suite 34, gas jets turned on. Report submitted.

9:10pm: Answered call to 1226 Francis St. Interviewed Mrs Silver, 1522 Venables St, re vacant house at 1226 Francis. Had the above placed in VHB.
9:35pm: In company with Detective Sergeant Grant, answered call to 257 Hogan’s Alley re sudden death of unknown man. Report submitted.
Patrolled streets in various parts of city.
12am: Reported off duty.

Friday, July 17

2pm: Commenced duty.
2:30pm: Tried to execute warrant # 592 for J Bryson, charged with obtaining money under false pretenses (OMFP). Failed to do so.
In company with D/S Grant, patrolled streets in various parts of city in search of suspects.
9:30pm: In company with D/S Grant, stayed in the box office at the Auditorium re holdup alleged to take place. Was relieved by Detectives Duggan & Spence.
12am: Reported off duty.

Saturday, July 18: weekly leave.

Sunday, July 19

2pm: Reported for duty.
2:15pm: In company with Acting Detective Parks, waited in the vicinity of the North Vancouver Ferry re holdup lead suspect. Picked this man up, but failed to locate any safe.

Vancouver, showing the North Vancouver Ferry, 1929. Leonard Frank, CVA Van SC P63.3. Colourized.

3:20pm: Answered call to 722 Cardero St & interviewed Mr EJ House re theft of potatoes from his garden & a pair of pants from clothesline. He suspected a man named Martin, Report submitted & will give further attention.
Patrolled East End of city with D/S Grant — found all orderly.
6pm: Investigated the cases of Frank Day, 1112 Davie St, & Martin Steemers, 871 Hornby St, sent into Headquarters for indecent exposure by PC 140. After investigation, they were released by D/S Grant with instructions that they may be served with a summons.
7:30pm: Visited 257 Hogan’s Alley in company with D/S Grant. Made further investigations re death of unknown man. Unable to get any further information. [Note: he was identified a few days later as William Smith Steele].
Patrolled streets in West End of city. Also visited various rooming houses, in search of tobacco thefts.
11pm: Reported off duty.

Monday, July 20

2pm: Commenced duty.
2:10pm: Called at Bank of Montreal, Hastings & Main, re alarm ringing — accident by employee.
3pm: Called at 626 Jervis St & foot of Cardero St re inquiries of boy named Martin, suspected of theft. Martin left town.
4pm: Called at the Hotel Vancouver. Interviewed the house Detective re suspect of holdup this morning. Report for Occurrence Book (OB).
7:30pm: Attended box office at Auditorium re alleged holdup to take place. Relieved by Detective Duggan.
11pm: Reported off duty.

Tuesday, July 21

2pm: Commenced duty.
Patrolled streets in West End of city & visited serval poolrooms & clubs.
7pm: Answered call to 778 Burrard St re Mrs Esmonde McQuade, attempted suicide. Report submitted.
9:45pm: In company with PC 88 Police Woman, went to the General Hospital & conveyed Mrs E McQuade to HQ, charged with attempted suicide.

10:15pm: Went to room 24, Powell Rooms, Cordova St, re investigation. No one there.
During the evening, re instruction, remained on call duty.
11pm: Reported off duty.

Wednesday July 22

2pm: Commenced duty.
Visited waterfront. Made enquiries on warrants #607, 8 & 9 for assault. Unable to locate the parties.
3:30pm: Went to the Auditorium & made investigations re alleged stolen watch presented to one of the contestants.
Made enquiries re holdup of Port O’Van Ice Cream cashier. Secured certain information. Attending further.

7:40pm: In company with D/S Grant, went to 1030 W Pender St re trouble with landlord & tenant. All quiet when we left.
7:50pm: In company with D/S Grant, went to 1146 Hornby St. Interviewed Mrs M Hendry re drunken tenant & damage to door. He had gone on arrival.
8pm: Called at 1210 Rossland St re above alleged stolen watch. After making enquiries, found this watch was not stolen & was bought at 70 W Hastings St.
8:15pm: Called at Bill’s Taxi office, Dunsmuir & Granville streets, re description of men seen leaving the Tunstall Block re break & enter [B&E] of 705 Dunsmuir St. OB D1311. Report submitted.
9:30pm: Called at the La Salle block in the 1500 block of West 4th Ave re information & enquiries.
10:05pm: Attended call to Birks Building to Dr Gallagher’s dentist office re safe forced open, room 808. Report submitted.
11pm: Reported off duty.

Thursday, July 23

2pm: Commenced duty.
3pm: Visited the shacks around the Vancouver warehouse community offices & tried to execute warrants #607, 8 & 9. Failed to locate parties.
3:45pm: Went to 705 Dunsmuir St & interviewed Miss Adams re B&E. D1311.
4:30pm: Attended Juvenile Court re case of Vernon Stewart, charge attempt to OGFP — remanded 1 week for disposition.
5pm: In company with Detective Knox, executed warrant #615 on Joseph Thomson, charge insane; dangerous to be at large.
5:45pm: Arrested Fred Dumont for investigation re Port O’Van holdup.
8:20pm: Tried to execute warrant #613 for Leonard Hudson, Maintenance Act. Party not living there.
8:45pm: Tried to execute warrant #606 for D Luther for theft. Party not at home.
10pm: In company with D/S Grant, executed warrants 617 for Frederick Harry Wain, insane; dangerous to be at large.
10:20pm: Executed warrant #613 for Leonard Hudson, charge Maintenance Act.
10:40pm: Accompanied PC Matron McLellan to 878 Howe St to arrest a girl. Girl not at home.
Patrolled streets & visited rooming houses & poolrooms. Also kept vicinity of West Pender St under observation.
11pm: Reported off duty.

Friday, July 24

2pm: Commenced duty.
2:30pm: Called at Great Northern Railway (GNR) depot. Interviewed M West, Customs officer, re stolen goods from boxcar. Report submitted.
3pm: Had lineup of prisoners in courtroom for purpose of trying to identify Fred Dumont re Port O’Van Ice Cream dairy. Mr Workman failed to identify him.

Port O’Van Arctic Ice Cream trucks, 1166 Hornby St, 1936. Stuart Thomson, CVA 99-4857. Colourized.

4pm: In company with D/S Grant, interviewed Ed Teal in jail re thefts.
8:45pm Answered a call to Vancouver General Hospital (VGH). Interviewed Dr Haggard re Mrs Hulbert, 2412 W 41th Ave, who was suffering from internal injuries caused by her son, William Feeney. Report submitted.
9pm: In company with MW Prescot, JP, went to VGH. Had an information sworn to by Mrs Hulbert.
10:30pm: Went to 2412 W 41th Ave, accompanied by Officer McIntosh. Searched above address for Feeney but failed to find him there.
11:05pm: Answered call to 800 Powell St, Japanese confectionery store. Interviewed Mrs C Fujieda re holdup of store. Report submitted.
During the evening, remained on call.
12am: reported off duty.

Saturday, July 25

2pm: Commenced duty.
2:45pm: Went to 1482 E Broadway. Interviewed Mr Sam Wikne re being robbed of money. See report of B111.
3:45pm: Went to Ray’s Meat Market, W Hastings St, re information. Attending further. See D1330.
8pm: Called at Japanese store in the 500 block Hastings re dispute over a gramophone. Advised her how to proceed.
9:40pm: Went to 2014 Haro St re suspicious characters trying to get into autos. They had gone on our arrival.
On instructions, remained on call in office.
11pm: Reported off duty.

Executed warrant #619 for the arrest of William Feeney, charged with assault causing bodily harm [of his mother] — sent to Juvenile Home.

Sunday, July 26: weekly leave.

Monday, July 27

2pm: Commenced duty. Remained on call duty to 5pm.
4pm: Executed warrant #619 for the arrest of William Feeney, charged with assault causing bodily harm — sent to Juvenile Home.
5:15pm: went to 200 W Broadway & tried to execute warrant #493 for the arrest of Doug Richardon, charge OMFP. Party not at home. Attending further.
9:30pm: Assisted Alberta Provincial Police officers with prisoner Archie Gow to Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) train.
10:15pm: Called at 400 block Richards St re information re holdup. Will make further enquiries & give further attention.
Called at Ray’s Meat Market, unit block W Hastings St, re further information re robberty See D1330.
Re instructions, Detective Quirk remained on call duty during the evening.
Patrolled street during the day & visited several poolrooms.
11pm: Reported off duty.

Tuesday, July 28

2pm: Commenced duty.
2:25pm: Tried to execute warrant #629. Unable to locate party. Suspect he has left town.
3:15pm: Went to 2024 Triumph St. Interviewed Mrs Kasubachi re assault & robbery.
7pm: Attended lineup of Johnny Beswick re suspected of robbing Ray’s Meat Market. Failed to identify.
8:15pm: Interviewed a man in the name of McIntosh re information of an alleged holdup to take place. Will give further attention.
9pm: Called at 966 Main St re enquiries for a man, McGuinness, wanted on warrant #629. Has has left this place.
On instructions, stayed on call duty during the evening.
Patrolled streets, visited several poolrooms & checked up several person.
11pm: reported off duty.

Wednesday, July 29

2pm: Commenced duty.
2:30pm: Went to the Vancouver Swimming Club, English Bay, re Mrs D Robertson, theft of purse & rings.

English Bay, 1930s. James Skitt, CVA BE P73.2. Hand-coloured.

3:30pm: Went to the Albany rooms, 1000 block Granville St. Searched a room belonging to a McDonald re alleged stolen goods.
4:15pm: Tried to execute warrant #632 at 367 E Cordova St. Party not at home.
9:30pm: Executed warrant #592 for the arrest of John Bryson, OMFP.
10pm: In company with D/S Grant, went to VGH re a man hit on the head. Report submitted.
On call duty with Detective Quirk.
Patrolled streets in various parts of city.
11pm: Reported off duty.

Thursday, July 30

2pm: Commenced duty.
2:15pm: Called at 1021 Comox St. Arrested Mike Arnson, charged with theft from person.
2:25pm: In company with D/S Grant, went to 1000 block Nootka St re PC 111 Mackie finding the dead body of Frank Knowles of 1003 Nootka St, reported missing on D1365. The body had been removed on our arrival.
8pm: In company with D/S Grant, went to VGH. Interviewed Louis Gow, assaulted on E Pender St. D1366. Could give us no further information.
8:15pm: Went to 2416 Scott St, re Mr McIntyre, theft. Party not at home.
9:30pm: Arrested George Kelton, warrant #631, charge OGMFP.
Notified witnesses re lineup tomorrow of Mike Arnson.
Remained on call duty.
11pm: Reported off duty.

Friday, July 31

9:30am: Attended Police Court re cases of Mike Arnson, theft from the person, remanded to August 6, & George Kelton, OGMFP, remanded to August 4.
2pm: Commenced duty.
2:15pm: Attended lineup of prisoners in courtroom re identification of Mike Arnson. Mr Stubbs failed to pick Arnson out.
2:30pm: Went to the Dominion Assay Office & escorted bullion to CPR wharf.
3:20pm: Interviewed Freeman Fletcher re hit & run. Not sufficient evidence to hold him.
4pm: Attended lineup of prisoners re Mike Arnson. Mrs Newton & T Natsukara identified Arnson.
5:15pm: Attended call to the Harbour Commissioner’s Office on Granville Island. Interviewed [Captain Frank] Craddock re 2 men seeing a boy clinging to a log & disappeared. Notified boat crew who attended with grappling irons. Report submitted.

8:15pm: Called at Commodore Cafe re information.
9pm: Called at the National Cafe, W Pender St, re enquiries of alleged holdup, which we have information is to take place.
10pm: Went to Avalon Rooms, W Pender St. Made enquiries further re alleged theft & correspondence from Shanghai.
Made enquiries during the day & searched for HS Murray, alleged driver of hit & run auto. Unable to locate him today. Attending futher.
11pm: Reported off duty.