The Mad Police Captain of Green-Wood

Brownstoner dug up a macabre tale from Brooklyn's past, featured yesterday in their excellent "Walkabout" series on Brooklyn history. It is the story of Captain Peter D. Lark, who in 1899 was captain of the Green-Wood Cemetery police force. Yes, the cemetery had its own police force. Remember that Green-Wood was a huge tourist attraction back in the 19th century, said to rival Niagara Falls in its number of visitors. Captain Lark and his 12-man brigade were charged with keeping vandals from desecrating the sacred ground.

But despite having this relatively well-paying gig, which came with the perk of living in a charming cottage on 23rd Street and Seventh Avenue rent free, Captain Lark was a miserable jerk who mercilessly beat his wife. Lark's life came to a disturbing end one morning while his son was preparing him breakfast:

That morning, at 6 a.m., Charlie Lark was in the kitchen making breakfast, and he heard his father call down to him from the upstairs bedroom, 'Are you ready, Charlie?' he called. 'Yes, father,' Charlie replied, 'Shall I cook the ham?' The only answer he got was a single gunshot.    

 More at Brownstoner, including an image of Lark's cottage.