Brooklyn Boro

August 12, ‘Bissert Gets 5 ½ Years With a Fine of $1,000’

August 12, 2014 Brooklyn Daily Eagle
French President Francois Hollande celebrates his birthday today. AP Photo/Thierry Monasse
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Good morning, Brooklyn.  Today is the 224th day of the year.  

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ON THIS DAY in 1901, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle published an article titled “Bissert Gets 5 ½ Years With a Fine of $1,000.”  The article focuses on George Bissert, a Manhattan “wardman” at the time, being sentenced to jail time after being convicted earlier of receiving bribes.  “‘Bissert, the crime of which you have been convicted is one of the most heinous which can be committed against society,’” the judge said in the Eagle article.  “‘A sense of humiliation must be felt by the people of the city of New York at the spectacle of one of their police officers being convicted of receiving bribes… .’”

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NOTABLE PEOPLE born on this day include “Gone Baby Gone” actor Casey Affleck, who was born in 1975; “The Princess Bride” writer William Goldman, who was born in 1931; “Love at First Bite, Act One” actor George Hamilton, who was born in 1939; current President of France Francois Hollande, who was born in 1954; “Flash Gordon” actor Sam J. Jones, who was born in 1954; “Parenthood” actor Peter Krause, who was born in 1965; “The Baby-Sitters Club” series author Ann M. Martin, who was born in 1955; jazz guitarist Pat Metheny, who was born in 1954; Hall of Fame tennis player Pete Sampras, who was born in 1971; billionaire and philanthropist George Soros, who was born in 1930; and basketball player Antoine Walker, who was born in 1976.  

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THE HOME SEWING machine was patented on this day in 1851.  Isaac Singer developed the machine for use in homes.  

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MICHAEL KIDD, New York City Broadway dancer and choreographer, was born on this day in 1915.  He was responsible for well-known productions including “Guys and Dolls,” “Finian’s Rainbow” and “Can-Can.”  He won five Tony Awards for his “service to the art of dance.”  He died in 2007.

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NIGHT OF THE MURDERED POETS took place on this day in 1952.  Josef Stalin ordered 13 prominent Jewish writers and leaders associated with the Anti-Fascist Committee to be executed.  

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KING PHILIP was assassinated on this day in 1676.  Philip was a son of the chief of the Wampanog tribe and was killed by a member of his own tribe.  This act brought an end to a war between the American Indians and the white settlers of New England at the time.  The war raged on for nearly two years and was also known as King Philip’s War.  

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BROOKLYN PUBLIC LIBRARY will host a summer reading event today from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the Carroll Gardens branch.  The event occurs weekly.  

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