A Look Back At Saugus History

Police Chief Charles Thompson’s dangerous encounter with a pitchfork-wielding man at the Saugus Race Track

  (Editor’s Note: This is the second in a series of articles by frequent Saugus Advocate contributor Janice K. Jarosz on the town’s first police chief, Charles O. Thompson.)

By Janice K. Jarosz

In his Police Report of 1897, Saugus Police Chief Charles O. Thompson notes the following work done by town officers in the line of duty: Complaints received and investigated, 140; doors found open and secured – 34; fires discovered and put out – 2; lights found burning – 10; stray teams found and put ups – 3; lights furnished for dangerous places in streets – 10; windows found open – 15; lost children found and restored – 3.

Chief Thompson had many interesting experiences and also several narrow escapes! One of the most remarkable notes about his long career, according to a newspaper account, was that he never found it necessary to strike a prisoner with his police club; although he admitted that there were times when he had to use his fists to prevent himself from being beaten up by those he was arresting.

The Chief told a local reporter that the tightest hole he was ever in was the day following his acceptance of the position as Chief of Police. At that time, the old Saugus Racetrack was in existence and word was brought to him that a “crazy Swede” was in the stables, had driven everyone out and was holding the stable people at bay with a pitchfork. When the Chief started out alone, he was warned that he ought to take another from the force with him as the “Swede was a big and dangerous man.”

The new Chief merely remarked, “If I can’t get him on my own, I will resign as Chief as soon as I get back.” Taking only a pair of handcuffs with him as his only safeguard, he went off to the racetrack.

Once there he found this man so angry that he was crying and threatening any person who dared to approach him. In some strange manner, the man recognized the newly appointed Chief, although Thompson was not in uniform. Thereupon, he doubled his threats, yelling out, “I’ll kill you if you come near me!”

As the Chief did not care to die until he had drawn at least one week’s pay, he inquired as to the Swede’s first name and was told it was John. “Now John,” said Thompson, “you know better than to do a thing like that.” By the chief trying to talk to the man, the Swede eventually dropped the tines of the pitchfork to the ground.

This was what the Chief was waiting for, and so with a quick leap, he was upon the man and, quicker still, planted his clenched fist in the other’s face, knocking him down to the ground. The Chief jumped upon him and immediately a terrific fight commenced. Even then, although Thompson shouted for assistance, the bystanders were so terrified at the massiveness and strength of the belligerent “Swede” that they dared not approach. This left the Chief alone to get the handcuffs from his pocket, unlock them and place them on the hands of the culprit. It was a man-size job, but the Chief did it and finally had him handcuffed, hand and foot!

On another occasion the Chief came face to face with a burglar who attempted to draw a gun on him. The Chief overpowered him before he could do it. It was learned later that the burglar was a notorious gunman, with a record of many burglaries to answer for. He had previously been shot by the Melrose Police, but had escaped to Saugus with the intention of robbing the Depot. The burglar received a six-year sentence in State Prison.

During his 26 years as “Top Gun,” Chief Thompson headed up investigations of two major murder cases in Saugus. First was the John C. Best case at Breakheart Farm in 1901. The second was the Gennette case at Baker Hill in which a woman was stabbed to death.

Next week: The Chief’s final days.