125 ago in 1907

Taken directly from the pages of The Youngstown Vindicator:

“Look Out. The police patrol wagon now ready for its first run. Patrol richly decked in colors of green, blue, carmine and gold trimmings.

“The new police patrol wagon was completed Monday and Tuesday. It will be turned over to the city as their property.

“The wagon is a beauty, and one of the finest ever made, and was manufactured by the Youngstown Carriage and Wagon Company.

“No city in the country possesses a finer patrol vehicle. It has on its sides the large letters, ‘Police Patrol,’ and on either side of the driver’s seat, ‘No. 1.’ It will likely answer the city’s purposes for some time to come.

“The wagon is a sort of innovation. It will contain blinds like those on a Pullman car, and now the delicate persons who think it rude to be arrested and gazed on by the throngs and the fair sex can take a jaunt without the outside world peeping at them with every turn of the street.

“The officer, if he be so inclined, can hug his prisoner, or as the case may be, can club him if necessary, and they will continue on, as usual, to the police station with no side remarks such as ‘Oh, see the brutal cop,’ ‘You rascal,’ and the like.

“But as a rule, the local force is very careful and prisoners are dealt with leniently.

“The wagon is a perfect one in every respect. It is neatly trimmed and gorgeously arrayed with all the bright colors and knocks the circus tableau vehicles to the four corners of the globe. The wagon is finished in green, blue, carmine and gold, and the inside is upholstered with green leather of a most delicate shade. The vehicle will weigh about 1,200 pounds or perhaps a little more.

“It has been made so as to fit the street car tracks and greater speed can thus be attained. The vehicle was patterned after the kind used in Cleveland. A gong will warn vehicles of the patrol’s approach and the teamsters are supposed to give the city’s ‘hurry-up’ a free course.

“All appurtenances on like wagons will be placed on the new patrol. There is a linoleum floor padded inside, steps to the wagon are rubber and a complete cushion floor is made if necessary for an injured person or in case the police decide to sit on a prisoner.

“The wheels are in a carmine gear and gold striping. The seats are seven feet long and will be large enough to hold a little army.

“Now the question arises, who will be its first victim?

“It will be placed in use in a few days. Beware men. Don’t let it catch you.”

• Compiled from the Youngstown Vindicator by Traci Manning, Mahoning Valley Historical Society curator of education.