THE CHICAGO HISTORY JOURNAL: Help! Police!: The Call Box

May 6, 2008

Help! Police!: The Call Box

In the 1987 Prohibition era film "The Untouchables", veteran policeman Jimmy Malone (played by Sean Connery) has a gold chain. On that chain are two of his most important possessions: a St Jude Medal and his Chicago Police Call box key.

Here's a look back at this important police communication tool in the "wicked city" days...

THE POLICE TELEPHONE, AND SIGNAL SYSTEM.

This is one of the greatest institutions in the police service of the world. It came into use when William J. McGarigle, now Warden of the Cook County Hospital, was General Superintendent of the police of the city of Chicago. This was in 1880. Prof. John P. Barrett, the distinguished electrician and Superintendent of the Fire Alarm Telegraph, worked hard to make it a success, as also did Austin J . Doyle, Fire Marshal Swenie, Inspector Bonfield, and Captain O'Donnell.

The instruments and batteries for receiving and recording telegraphic signals are placed in each police station. The apparatus is automatic, and requires no great skill to handle. Whenever a signal is sent from the street-station the record is registered of itself. The gravity batteries are reliable and constant. When the arbitrary signals of the telegraph are insufficient resort is had to the telephones
and transmitters.

From each police station radiate telegraph lines, connecting at desired localities with a structure on the street resembling a sentry-box, octagonal in form, about two feet eight inches in diameter and eight feet in height. A lamp placed upon the top lights the interior of the box and illuminates the street.

The street-station, complete, with door open, showing alarm-box, with telephone, etc., and with lamp on top, thus taking the place of iron lamppost.

The doors of the boxes have a patent trap-lock, so that a key cannot be withdrawn until released by a master key. Each key is numbered, and the name of the holder kept on record. This is to insure honesty in turning in an alarm. When a key has been used the proper officer can only return it who holds the master or release key. A key to the street station may be* given to a responsible citizen, and each patrolman carries one. The locks are uniform, and one key will open any streets tation. Inside of each station is a small iron case, with a door and lock, containing an automatic signal instrument, whereby a key-holder by pulling a hook can call for assistance. Only officers have keys to the inside boxes, which contain, besides the signal apparatus, a telephone and transmitter.

The patrol-wagon is light and strong. It is furnished with an alarm-gong. On either side of the box under the seats, running lengthwise is a compartment for handcuffs, come-alongs, clubs, blankets, canvass stretcher,ropes, etc. The stretcher, when not in use is is rolled upon the poles. When needed it is produced through a little door at the end of the wagon, and attached to the hooks on the poles. The jolting of the wagon is hardly perceptible. There is a ring in the floor of the wagon to hold down unmanageable prisoners.

PRIVATE BOX.

There is a small signal-box designed for banks, hotels,business offices or private residences. A key of the house is left at the police station under seal. By pulling the hook of the box one can send an alarm and tell what is needed by one of ten different signals. A policeman in the station breaks the seal, takes the key from its place, steps quietly into the front door and surprises the burglars at their work. The would-be victim need not move from his bed.

The police, telephone and signal telegraph outside of Chicago is now the property of the owners and constructors of the Gamewell system of fire-alarm telegraphs operating in about two hundred cities and towns.