January 14, 1911: A Well-Traveled Policeman

100 Years Ago: From The Rensselaer Eagle [NY 41 Rensselaer 93-32173].

POLICEMAN HAS SEEN MUCH OF THE COUNTRY

GEORGE SELLEY HAS GAINED SOME KNOWLEDGE AT FIRST HAND

Has studied conditions in New Orleans, Tacoma, Wash., and Then Went Down to Maine - Is Fond Of Finding Out Things For Himself

Rensselaer has a man who has visited every state in the union and who has seen every point of interest in the entire country which is worth a visit. So it is quite natural that policeman George Selley, the latest addition to the staff, should make a good officer. Roving around the streets in the dead of the night protecting the houses and citizens is a pleasure to the new bluecoat, inasmuch as he never tired of roaming through the great United States.

There are few men in the entire country today who can tell of such wide experiences as can Selley. He is not a man of wealth, but a man interested in the development of his country and his periodical vacations have been spent sometimes in the sunny south, other times in the wooly west and once in the frigid atmosphere of Maine during the winter.
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HAS REMINISCENCES

When in a reminiscent mood Policeman Selley can tell more about his country's development in the last ten years than any other man in the city. He can also tell of the customs of the people.

He has been in New Orleans when that southern city was in its gayest attire for the Great Mardi Gras Carnival; in Tacoma, Washington and Portland, Oregon when the apples were being picked bigger than your head and journeyed to Portland, Me. from Boston via boat when the huge waves of the turbulent winter sea almost rose over the boat.

Originally a railroad man Selley took especial interest in the customs of the railroad men all through the country. He traveled many miles on freight trains through his brotherhood pass, just to see the country and learn the ways of its people.

The Railroad Trainman, Volume 19, 1902, shows Geo. Selley of 106 B'way was Secretary of Rensselaer's Horseshoe Lodge of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen.

The Directory for the Year 1905 of the Cities of Albany and Rensselaer shows George, John, and William Selley, living at 248 Broadway, all held the position of "expressman" - packing, managing, and ensuring delivery of railroad cargo.

Learn more about the history of the Rensselaer police force at www.RensselaerPolice.org.