http://www.cooganresearchgroup.com/crg/index.htm

29 March 2009

COOGAN story appearing in "New York Times"
(Friday, 23 SEP 1898):


MAILED CARD IN MAILBOX
Irish Janitor, Recently Arrived, Admired American Postal Service

Thinking fire alarm box No. 615 at Sixty Fourth Street and the 
Boulevard, was a letter box, Michael Coogan, here ten days from
Ireland, read the directions last night, turned the handle to the
right, opened the door, and pulled down on the hook.  He 
carefully balanced on the hook the postal card that had been 
given to him to mail, closed the door and started for 30 West 
Sixty-fourth street, of which place he is the janitor.

"'Tis a fine country," soliloquized Mike, as he walked away.  "I 
suppose that letter is in Chicago by this."  

Just then he heard a terrific clanging of gonds, and saw several
fire engines dash furiously around the corner.  Captain J. 
Cosgrove of Engine No. 40 jumped from his place, and, running to 
the box, made an examination, and then looked around for smoke.  
He saw none.  Then the quick-witted Irishman at once realized 
his mistake, and with a yell of "Murther, I've done it!" he made 
for his basement and crawled into the ash bin.

The firemen found the card after a little while, and with it 
traced the offender.  He was pulled out of the dusty retreat
almost suffocated and terribly frightened.

"I followed the directions, sure I did," he begged.  "I turned 
the handle to the right and I pulled the hook, and-"  

"It was a fire-alarm box, you idiot!" replied the policeman, who
had the frightened janitor by the collar.

"Well thin, I'm sorry.  If I had the money, I'd pay the damage.  
But I'm a poor man"-  

Mike's explanation was accepted, and when we promised never 
again to make such an error he was released.