c.1890s-1907 Fascinating Original Manuscript Notebooks of Napoleon Lambert, French Canadian-Born Police Chief of the Central Falls, Rhode Island Police Department, Including Details on Policework, Politics, Backroom Discussions, and Lambert Family History
On offer are two manuscript diaries, both originally kept by Napoleon Lambert (1862-1934), Chief of Police of the Central Falls Police Department, and continued by his daughter, Al phonsine Lambert (later Barnaby) (1892-1934). Napoleon Lambert was born in Marieville, Québec, Canada to parents Marguerite Dargan and Francois Lambert. He moved to the United States with his family in early childhood, and settled in Rhode Island with his brother. They planned to train as carpenters. Napoleon was invited by Central Falls, RI’s first mayor to join his newly formed Central Falls Police Department in 1895, and within a few short years was promoted to Chief of Police, a position that placed him in a position of prominence among the elites of his small community. He was married to Alphonsine Eveline Marcoux (1872-1915), and together they had at least four children: Rose Anna, Alphonsine, Eva and Napoleon. Napoleon Lambert was killed by an automobile in December of 1919 at only 56 years old. [Important Note: Napoleon Lambert’s birth date is written as 1863 on genealogy websites and on his naturalization document, but in one of these diaries, he records his birth date as June 7, 1862.] Both diaries were originally kept by Napoleon Lambert himself, but his daughter had, at some point, taken each diary over and filled in all the blank space with pencil writing typical of a young lady of the time - poetry in both French and English, little doodles, academic copying, notes about her family members, and more. Manuscript Journal #1: Lambert’s Career & Personal Life The first of the two diaries seems to have been started by Napoleon Lambert as a way of recording his life story, and became more of a diary recording major events that he deemed important to remember - from attempted bribes he received in the line of his work to prizes he won at a local fair to the births and god parent assignments of those close to him. The first pages are a list of his children’s births and godparents, including his second daughter: “Alphonsine Lambert was born on Monday April 4 - 1892 God father and mother Louis Marcoux and wife Jaimie Ghangnon” This is followed by a couple blank pages then a life story/timeline, beginning with his birth, and followed by entries detailing major life events through the turn of the 19th century. Excerpts: “I, Napoleon Lambert was born at Marieville County Rouville Province of Quebec on June 7 - 1862.” “In 1872 we moved to Taunton Mass” “March 1878 My brother Philias Lambert was killed in a powder mine at San Francisco California” “Mar 7 - 1881. Mother died at the age of 65” “May 7 - 1883 I came to Central Falls to learn the trade of Carpenter with my brother Normidas Lambert” “April 13 - 1895 I was appointed a patrolman on the police force by Mayor Charles P. Moies” [Note: Charles P. Moies, sometimes spelled Moles, was the city’s first mayor who also created the police department] “November 20 - 1899. I was promoted to Chief of Police by Mayor Henry G. Thresher and confirmed by the Board of Alderman” “March 28 - 1900. I took my first degree in Lafayette Lodge No 31 K of P in Providence, R.I.” “Oct 17 - 1900. Lucien Lafrance left his wife to go out West” From 1902-1907, Lambert wrote more detailed entries which focused on his work on the police force, the expectations placed on him as a prominent citizen, and on family milestones, community members’ births and deaths, and major purchases he wanted to record (such as gold watches). He even recorded when fellow citizens attempted to bribe him or request that he use his status for their personal gain. He also meticulously noted Board of Directors business related to the Central Falls Police Dept. Lambert’s entries are inconsistent. Some are in order and seem to have been written in real time. Others seem to have been copied in at a later date. For example, there is a section focused on injured horses in 1904-1905 that were likely copied after the fact in order to keep a full record of the horse issue in one spot. But some entries are detailed and feel very raw and immediate. Some excerpts give the flavour of Napoleon Lambert’s writing: “April 26 - 1902. I won my diamond ring at the fair of Balloon Post G.A. R. in grand army hall on Central st. I sold tickets for $402.40. My opponent John Skedgell had $121.00…List of Drawings….No 5371…$3.00 in gold…all of my tickets won” “July 2 - 1903. Alphonsine Lambert my daughter 11 years of age had an attack of inflammatory rheumatism in her right leg Dr. J Myrs attended her” “Oct 22 - 1903 . Juliea McHenry alias Flemming sent a tall woman to offer me $100 to get her off the farm. Not accepted. Time 1:30PM” “April 4 - 1905. Isaac W. Lawton was recommended by the City Committee to fill the vacancy on the State Central Committee cause by the the death of John B. Dennis” “May 5 - 1905. Alderman Wright asked me to see Marcoup the license commissioner and use my influence to have Henry Shaw’s charges quashed. Mr. Wright spoke to me about this case at Music Hall at the Eagle’s ball. He also stated that Alderman Joe Bates would like to see the case discontinued if possible” “Dec 1 - 1905. L.D. Woodward did not report off duty at 2 Ave Capt Nuling said he could not find him up to 225 and he was drunk and had a row with with Smile Page in the City Hotel” “May 27 - 1906. Adolphie Marcoup 25 years of age was killed by a freight train at Summitt near Greene R.I…he had been working four months for Perry Lewis The Town of Coventry buried him at Onica…” “June 23 - 1905. Daniel McCaffrey of 635 Lonsdale Ave had a stude horse slashed last night” “June 2 - 1906. Mayor McNally told John F. Bacon and Daniel P. Turner not to report the saloon keepers to the station. If they get to bold report them to me privately" “Feb 28 - 1907. Joe Davignon told me that if I had not raided James J. Hughes on the 17th…I would have had a raise of 3.00 per year but now it is doubtful” “May 5 - 1907. My wife and I were God-mother and God-Father for Lucien Abel Napoleon Lafrance son of Lucien Lafrance 35 Sylvian St. Central Falls RI. The child was born May 1-1907” Napoleon Lambert’s final entry is June 10, 1907. In his last entry, Lambert writes of police board members signing a contract for the Police Signal System at 9:45pm. Immediately below his final entry, Napoleon’s daughter, Alphonsine’s name and home address is written in her careful cursive, and pages 18-29 are filled with pencil-written poetry in French and English, signed by Alphonsine. Apparently, she continued her father’s book. There are some missing pages between pages 30-38. Page 39 is another list of birth dates connected to the Lambert family, and pages 40-63 have been removed. The final pages are a continuation of names and dates connected to the Lamberts and connected families, but Alphonsine Lambert had by then married Louis Barnaby Proulx (1888-1985) and wrote her new name and address: “Alphonsine Barnaby, 42 Garfield St, Central Falls, RI.” This journal is equal parts police ledger, shockingly honest journal about the pressures of a high-status position within the newly formed police force, and a family man’s record book, providing a history of his life and the lives of his loved ones for future generations. Manuscript Journal #2: Lambert’s Central Falls, Rhode Island Criminal Cases The second manuscript book is in the same vein as the first. In clear, black ink, Napoleon Lambert has written in depth notes about his policing. In pencil and a calligraphic hand, his daughter, Alphonsine, has written poetry, practiced her handwriting and given this intense police book some creative flair. On the first page, in a pencilled calligraphic hand is written, “Alphonsine Lambert…74 Ledge St…Central Falls, RI”. And written under that, the names of her siblings: “Napoleon Lambert, Eva Lambert, Rose Lambert” Her father, Napoleon Lambert, Chief of Police, has written a partial table of contents at the start of the book, listing names of citizens who have committed crimes. Pages 29 through 75 are his notes on each citizen’s rap sheet. He lists the person’s name and then their crimes and the dates they were committed, the sentencing, sometimes which judge sentenced, where they were held, the amount they were fined, how they plead, and any other relevant tidbits. . Some excerpts: “April 28 - 1903. Joseph Burns I2 & R 10 days in Jail…Oct 20-1904. Joe Burns sentenced by Judge Wilbur to serve 18 months in the Prov County Jail for the larceny of one lot brass worth $100.00 from the Electroletic [sic] Copper Co on Aug 12-1904. Oct 31-1906. Joe Burns Larceny. 30 days in jail” “Thomas McKenna June 4 - 1894. Assaulted Wm. J. Stafford 5 [plus] costs p 260…Aug 12-1899 Assaulted Nelson F. Coombs 90 days…” “James H. Magee Aug 29-1904. Fined 4.60 for I&R. Committed. May 28-1905. James H Magee Paid 5 and costs 5,30 for 1&R. Sept 16-1906. James H Magee C.D. Plead not guildy, had a trial and was found guilty. Sentenced to serve 6 months on the State Farm. took an appeal and gave bonds. Dec 18-1906. Settle for costs…” As with the first book, the remaining pages have been filled with English and French poetry in Alphonsine Lambert’s young cursive hand. There is also some artwork, and more genealogical notes, including a tipped in slip of paper listing the deaths of four family members. A short excerpt of the poetry: “Un soir sur le gazon assise ~~Ma soeur me parla tout bas~~ (Struck through with a red line) Sa voix trembla comme la brisse Et moi je ne souffla pas Ainsi voila que tout joyeuse Elle s'écria au bonheur A Dieu je part et soi heureuse Je me consacre au Seigneur…” [One evening sitting on the grass ~~My sister spoke to me very softly~~ Her voice trembled like the breeze (Note: spelled 'brisse' instead of 'brise') And I did not breathe (Note: grammatically written as 'souffla' instead of 'soufflai') Thus here she is all joyous She cried out to happiness Farewell [To God], I leave and be happy I consecrate myself to the Lord…] Taken together, the books provide an extremely deep dive into the early days of the Central Falls, Rhode Island police force, its actions, notable criminals and the justice process, and the political landscape in which the force operated. They also give a glimpse into the life and family of French Canadian immigrants to Rhode Island in the late 19th century, and contain a tremendous amount of genealogical content that would help round out existing records, both American and Canadian. Condition: The first book measures 7 1/2 inches by 5 inches. The leather cover is in good condition but internally it is loose and pages have come detached. Many pages have been torn out (as described within the listing). The remaining approx 40 pages are legible, clear and complete, though many have come loose from the fragile binding.The second book measures 6 1/2 inches by 4 inches. The leather cover is extremely worn and in poor condition. It contains 199 pages and is 90% complete. Due to the fragile spines and worn cover, as well as the missing pages from one book, they would be considered Fair to Poor, but the remaining content is clear, legible and exceptional.