The Autobiography of Captain Charles L. Albertson provides a glimpse into the life of retired Police Inspector Charles Albertson of New York City, who has ties to Orlando and the history of the Orange County Library System.
Captain Albertson, for many years, collected books and created a library at his home in Waverly, New York, that he shared with the people of his community. Captain Albertson wintered in Orlando and owned a home south of the city. In November 1920, Captain Albertson offered his collection to the City of Orlando on the condition that it furnish a suitable building to house it and that the library bore his name.
The stipulations in the contract between the city of Orlando and Captain Albertson provided that Orlando would accept the gift of the Albertson collection and furnish the library building; that the library should be known as the Albertson Public Library; that Captain Albertson should be Advisory Superintendent of the Library throughout his lifetime; and that Orlando should suitably maintain the Library.
This hand typed and hand written autobiography recounts Captain Albertson’s time as a police officer in New York City and some of the criminals and judges he encountered walking his beat. Read some of the more interesting cases below or the entire autobiography under DOCUMENTS. He begins with how he came to be a police officer in New York.
“I went to New York City to drive a milk delivery wagon which occupation I followed for three years then I studied lumber inspection which was quite an important trade at that time as nearly all of the lumber coming into the city was purchased subject to the measurement and classification of an uninterested inspector who was paid by the owner and purchaser.
In the summer of 1878, I was directed by one of the Supreme Court Judges to go to Staten Island and measure several carloads of oak which was in litigation. On the boat going over was Ebinezer Jones, a lumber dealer who was one of the litigants. His daughter had a short time before this married D. C. Wheeler one of the four Police Commissioners. He said in a joking manner, “Do you want to become a policeman?” I said “yes”. A short time after, Commissioner Wheeler sent for me and directed that I make application which I did.”
Three Black Beans – The attempted murder of Charles Albertson
Chief Rabbi Jacob Joseph’s Funeral and Riot
The Orlando Bank Burglary – January 1922
A Mexican Event – October 1914
Civil War Reunions and Other Stories
Back to top
General Slocum Disaster
General Slocum Disaster
General Slocum Disaster
General Slocum Disaster
General Slocum Disaster
General Slocum Disaster
General Slocum Disaster
Captain Charles L. Albertson Dies
Portrait of Charles L. Albertson 
Albertson Funeral Rites Tuesday"The Autobiography of Captain Charles L. Albertson", a retired Police Inspector of New York City, and a winter resident of Orlando, who had for many years been collecting books at his home in Waverly, New York and in November 1920, offered his collection to the City of Orlando, on the condition that it furnish a suitable building to house it.
The contract between the city of Orlando and Captain Albertson provided that Orlando would accept the gift of the Albertson collection and furnish the library building; that the library should be known as the Albertson Public Library; that Captain Albertson should be Advisory Superintendent of the Library throughout his lifetime; and that Orlando should suitably maintain the Library.
Portrait of Captain Charles L. Albertson, whose personal library donation to the City of Orlando helped to create the Albertson Public Library, now the downtown Main Library of the Orange County Library System.
This is a resolution passed by the Albertson Public Library Board honoring Captain Charles L. Albertsson for his vast contributions to the Library. The resolution was passed soon after his death.
The Family Biography Entry of Captain Charles L. Albertson in the "History of Waverly, New York."
Article from Brooklyn Daily Eagle from the 26th of June 1904 states that Inspector Albertson was on scene "yesterday afternoon." This dates many of the photos attached to this topic as being from 25 June 1904.
The article was transcribed by Mimi Stevens.
Mentioned: Captain Charles Albertson, Eiselstein Funeral Home, Reverend P. M. Smock, College Park Baptist Church, Waverly New York, Albertson Public Library, Lake Jennie Jewel, Mrs. Lillian Albertson, Lewis Albertson, Caroline Stewart Albertson, Addie M. West, Lewis Albertson, Earl Albertson, Dacie Albertson, Lillian N. Barnum, Charles L. Albertson, Waverly American Legion, Albertson Memorial Building, Elmira NY Chapter Sons of the American Revolution.
Front page story - Charles Albertson donating books to city to form library.
The article is featured on the front page along with accounts of the festive Veterans Day celebrations around town.
This is the masthead and articles above the fold.