Andrew Lyon

The Clarksburg Telegram., February 03, 1893
Grave marker of Andrew Lyon

Excerpt—–

The present police force has been increased by the appointment of Andrew Lyon. Our genial James Smith is still sergeant and chief of police.

Officer Lyon Exonerated.

The Clarksburg Telegram., March 10, 1893

ED. TELEGRAM–The following resolution was passed by the council, March 3d, 1893: Be it Resolved, By the Council of the Town of Clarksburg, that the course pursued by Policeman Andrew Lyon in the arrest of C. L. Ladwig, is commended as that of a fearless officer, who did not exceed his authority, but under the circumstances did only his duty, and therefore his action is approved; and this conclusion will be concurred in by all law abiding citizens, who are acquainted with the real facts in the case. The Council would have expressed no opinion in the premises except for the publication of exaggerated newspaper reports, and petition of misinformed citizens of Lost Creek.”

BY ORDER OF COUNCIL

The Clarksburg Telegram., April 14, 1893

Excerpt–

Cecil Leach, the messenger at the Western Union office, and policeman Andrew Lyon are now wearing “bristling” new uniforms.

The Clarksburg Telegram., April 13, 1900
Clarksburg Police Department

Excerpt–

Andrew Lyon acted as a special on the police force a few days the first of the week.

Policeman A. Lyon Suspended.

Pending Investigation of charges preferred Against him by the Chief of Police.
Other business of the city council.

The Clarksburg Telegram., August 09, 1901

Excerpt–
Mayor Kelley notified council that Chief Stealey had preferred charges against Policeman Andrew Lyon for conduct unbecoming an officer and that he had suspended him pending an investigation. Thursday night, August 15, was fixed as the time for the trial.

The Clarksburg Telegram., August 16, 1901 pg. 4

Excerpt–
Owing to Mayor Kelley’s absence city council did not meet Thursday night to try Andrew Lyon, against whom charges have been preferred.

To Try Policeman Lyon.

The Clarksburg Telegram., October 04, 1901 pg. 9

The trial of Policeman Andrew Lyon, who was suspended by the mayor some two months ago for alleged unbecoming conduct, is set to come up at the council meeting this Friday night. Mr. Lyon will contend that the mayor exceeded his power and that the council only had the right to suspend him. In the event it is decided the mayor went beyond his authority, Lyon will be entitled to full pay during his suspension. There is likely to be a very lively time at the trial.

The Clarksburg Telegram., October 11, 1901 pg. 2

Excerpt—
Council directed that Policeman Andrew Lyon be given full pay during the time he was off the force by virtue of suspension by the mayor and that he be suspended unitl Monday night, at which time the council decided his trial should come up.

Andrew Lyon Resigns His Office

And Nips in the Bud his Trial by city council—Other city matters.

The Clarksburg Telegram., October 11, 1901 pg. 5

Excerpt–
The council convened Monday night in adjourned session to hear the charges against Policeman Andrew Lyon.

The members present were John Kearns, F. B. Haymaker, S. C. Denham, F. R. Moore, J. W. Williams and Will H. Lewis. All wards were represented except the fifth which has had no representation at the meetings for several weeks.

The mayor announced the object of the meeting, and Councilman Moore replied by reading Mr. Lyons’ resignation dated October 3. The resignation was promptly accepted and thus was nipped in the bud a trial that promised to be sensational.

There being a vacancy in the regular police force, Richard Brooks was elected to it.

Mr. Lyon Did Not Apply.

The Clarksburg Telegram., May 16, 1902, pg. 3

Andrew Lyon was not an applicant this year for a position in the police force, his name, however, was presented to the council by a member of council, without his knowledge or consent, and that is how it came to be published. The correction or rather explanation is made for Mr. Lyon’s benefit.

City Council Was Very Busy

At its Last Meeting–Many Matters of Importance Disposed of.

The Clarksburg Telegram., May 23, 1902, pg. 2

Ruhl - Koblegard Co

Excerpt–
The mayor reported that he had sworn in Andrew Lyon as policeman at the Traders opera house and Philip Moore for the Ruhl, Koblegard Company and also the appointment of a half dozen specials for circus day.

ATTEMPTED TO MURDER.

Colored Fellow wanted to Shoot Andrew Lyon.

The Clarksburg Telegram., September 26, 1902, pg. 3

Traders

J. E. Jemison, colored, went to the theater last Thursday night loaded both as to booze and fire arms. The load of booze got too heavy for his stomach and he vomited all over the carpet in the balcony and got disorderly.

House Policeman Andrew Lyon, assisted by Policeman White, ejected him. As they left the building the negro pulled a gun and tried to shoot Lyon. The policeman grabbed the gun and twisted his arm caused the weapon to point toward the ground.

In the scuffle it was discharged. The ball penetrated the fleshy part of his left leg between the knee and hip. It went almost all the way through his leg.

He was taken to jail and City Physician Nelson Peck extracted the bullet. The wound is very painful, but not dangerous.

Mr. Lyon swore out a warrant Friday morning in Squire Gordon’s court against the negro, charging him with an attempt to kill him.

Jemison’s condition is such that he cannot be brought before the magistrate at present. He gave bond and the trial was set for September 29.

TRUANT OFFICER APPOINTED

Andrew Lyon Will Keep an Eagle’s Eye on the School Children of the City.

The Clarksburg Telegram., September 11, 1903, pg. 8

The city board of education has decided to enforce the compulsory school law this year, and the children will have to go to school regularly whether they or their parents want them to or not.

The board has appointed Andrew Lyon truant officer and he will keep an eagle’s eye on all the children. It is his duty to see that all the children are in school.

If they miss more than two days, it is his business to notify and warn the parents and find out why they missed. In instances where there is not reasonable and lawful excuse, it is his duty to swear out warrants and prosecute truants and their parents as provided for by the laws of the state.

It is unnecessary to say that Mr. Lyon will be alert to his duty.

VIOLATED SCHOOL LAW

Was the Charge Preferred Against Mr. Hannewinkle by the Truant School Officer.

The Clarksburg Telegram., October 02, 1903, pg. 4

Andrew Lyon, truant school officer, had his first case in court Friday afternoon.

He swore out a warrant against B. H. Hennewinkle, the tailor, who he claimed was violating the compulsory school law, or, at least, refused to send his two children to school. They are about 11 and 13 years of age.

Mr. Hennewinkle was given a trial in the afternoon by the magistrate.

The evidence of Steel Law, former enumerator, showed that the father gave the age of the children as 10 and 12 respectively, and there proof was taken which convinced the magistrate that they were in the required age limit.

Mr. Hennewinkle claimed that one was 15 years of age and the other in his 17th year. He testified that he had lost the record of their birth, but that the mother of the children had been dead nearly fourteen years, and that younger child was 6 or 7 months old when her death occurred.

The justice was of the opinion that he was guilty and fined him $2. A fine of $5 will be imposed for a second offense, the law on the subject fixing it at that.

DESTITUTION

Is Discovered in This City by the Truant Officer and Overseer of Poor

Boy Only Eleven Years Old Taked From Sent to Cigar Factory to Earn What He Can to Support the Family.
The Daily Telegram., January 08, 1904

Truant School Officer and Overseer of the Poor Andrew Lyon reports two cases of destitution that should be looked after both by the county and charitable societies of the city.

One is the family of Thomas Gregory on Monticello avenue. Mr. Gregory is sick and unable to work. There are five or six in the family. They have no clothes to wear to school and the officer says they have practically nothing.

other is the family of Joseph H. Cunningham, the cigar maker, who is a cripple and resides at 788 West Pike Street. There is a boy aged 11 years, in the family and as the father is not in a condition to support the family, the boy was taken out of school and sent to the cigar factory to earn what he could for the family.

These conditions are not painted or overdrawn and an appeal is made here to the people of this city, who have plenty and are happy, to give these suffering people aid.

SENT HOME BY OVERSEER

The Daily Telegram., December 06, 1905

Andrew Lyon, overseer of the poor for Coal district, was appealed to Tuesday evening for aid.

The man who made the appeal claimed his home was in Wheeling.

He stated that he had a wife and child there and that he had come here from Richwood, where he went to get work but failed.

He also informed the officer that he was sick and without money.

Having no place to stop for the night, the chief of police gave him quarters at the police station, and Wednesday morning Mr. Lyon purchased him a ticket and sent him to Fairmont on his way home.

TRUANT OFFICER LYON MAKES GOOD REPORT

The Daily Telegram., May 26, 1906

Andrew Lyon, truant officer for the Clarksburg school district, has made up his statistical report for the school year just ending. The report shows that Mr. Lyon attended to his duties in an active, attentive and praiseworthy manner, as well as the efficacy of the law properly enforced. The report is as follows:

Lyon Family Marker

Legal notices served, 40.
Warrants issued, 16.
Investigations made, 386.
Boys sent to Reform school, 6.
Fines collected, $20.

HAS MASON ARRESTED

George Nunley Accueses Him of Unlawfully Carrying a Gun.

The Daily Telegram., December 07, 1906

James Mason, colored, will have to answer to the charge of unlawfully carrying a pistol in Magistrate Gordon’s court Saturday evening at 7 o’clock.

He was arrested by Constable Andrew Lyon Friday morning on a warrant issued at the instance of George Nunley, who accused him of that offense against the peace and dignity of the state.

Mason gave bond for his appearance at the hearing and was released from custody.

Waldo and Lyon Report For Duty as Constable Both Claiming Office

The Clarksburg Telegram., January 17, 1907

“Two souls with but a single thought,
Two hearts that beat as one.”

This was the spectacle that was presented to the senses in Magistrate Gordon’s assizes New Year’s morning when Andrew Lyon and Art Waldo reported for duty in the office of constable of Coal District.

Both claim to be by virtue of law and authority the only real genuine constable for the particular office and up to press time in the afternoon they were each holding fast to the same opinions like clinging ivy on the walls of an old church.

At recent election Waldo received 14 more votes in Coal district for constable than Lyon.

Waldo was thought to have been elected but Lyon found that the county court had failed to publish notice of election which was special and for the purpose of filling a vacancy, as required by the election laws of the State.

Lyon was appointed constable two years ago to fill the unexpired term of Mort McClung, the Northview man. McClung’s term would run for two years yet if he were in office.

Lyon claims he still holds that unexpired term because Waldo’s election was illegal. Waldo has qualified before the county court as constable and filed his bond which has been accepted and if appears that he has the sanction of this body to go ahead and be constable.

The question has not been definitely settled as yet and it may be taken to the circuit court for adjudication.

Magistrate Gordon has not as yet given any papers to either of the two claimants of the office to serve.

ARRESTED FOR THEFT OF TEAM AND BUGGY

“Song and Dance” Murphy Jailed at Instance of Fairmont Liveryman.

The Daily Telegram., March 26, 1908

A man whose name was given to Magistrate G. H. Gordon as “Song and Dance” Murphy, was arrested in the street by Constable Andrew Lyon Thursday morning on the charge of stealing a team of horses and a top buggy from Charles E. McCrea, Jr., a liveryman of Fairmont.

He was put in jail to await a hearing.

According to the complaint made by Mr. McCrea, who came to Clarksburg the same morning for the purpose of prosecuting Murphy and recovering the team and buggy, Murphy hired the outfit the day before to go to the new fair grounds near Fairmont, but instead of going there he came to Clarksburg and was trying to sell the horses and buggy.

Murphy will be taken to Fairmont for trial.

ASSAULTED LYON

With Beer Bottles, He Claims, When He Went to Eject Them.

The Daily Telegram., June 19, 1908

An unknown man, to the court giving his name as Frank Reed, and Viola Dumar, were before Justice M. S. Riley Friday, charged with resisting and assaulting an officer, namely, Constable Andrew Lyon, Thursday, when he attempted to force a writ of possession issued on the grounds of unlawful detainer, the woman in the case having failed to pay the rent.

They became enraged at the officer, according to his statement, and assaulted him with beer bottles, though not seriously injuring him. On hearing the evidence Magistrate Riley released Mrs. Dumar but held Reed over for the grand jury. Reed was unable to give bond and was committed to jail.

ANDREW LYON DIES OF HEART DISEASE

Well Known Citizen and Former Public Officer’s Life Is Ended.

The Daily Telegram., March 31, 1909
The Clarksburg Telegram., April 01, 1909

Death comes

Andrew Lyon is dead. He passed away at his home at 527 Preston Street Wednesday morning at 9 o’clock of heart disease after an illness of several months.

Mr. Lyon was 65 years old and the son of William E. and Sarah Denham Lyon, both deceased.

He was born October 27, 1843, near Hepzibah, this county, and resided in the county all his life.

March 10, 1865, he married Miss Henrietta Green, who preceded him to the grave about a year ago.

To them were born the following children: Mrs. C. K. Pritchard; Mrs. D. G. Powell, of Salem; Eustace Lyon, deceased; Miss S. Jessie Lyon and E. Beulah Lyon, both of this city. C. R. Lyon, of Salem, and Lee Lyon, of this city, are brothers, and Mrs. Newton Pew, of Buckhannon, is a sister.

At the time of his death Mr. Lyon was proprietor of the Acme Collecting Agency, which had offices in the Irwin-Lippincott Building.

He served as a constable of Harrison County, faithfully and efficiently for a number of years, and for a long time was a member of the Clarksburg police force, a position he likewise filled to the satisfaction of all.

He also served one term as city health inspector.

Mr. Lyon was well and favorably known in the city and county and had many friends who are grieved over his death and have deep sympathy for the bereaved family.

The funeral is announced to take place Friday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock, with services at the late home.

The Daily Telegram., April 02, 1909, pg. 8

Excerpt–
C. R. Lyon, of Salem, was here today attending the Funeral of his brother, Andrew Lyon.

Mr. and Mrs. D. G. Powell, of Salem, were here this afternoon, attending the funeral of her father, Andrew Lyon.

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