October, 1871

I hate New York! I woke this morning to find my gold locket that contained the picture of Elisabeth and her lock of hair stolen! It was that picture that kept me going through these years! I immediately complained to a policeman, and he accused me of stealing the locket in the first place! I of course argued against him passionately, and he only responded by throwing me out! My dog had been loyally waiting for me, and immediately bit that policeman to protect me, and the cursed man beat my dog to death! I responded by throwing cobblestones at the police lodgings. I do not know who, but a man restrained me, and brought me to the New Jersey Ferry. I sold my silk handkerchief, and they ferried me across the Hudson River.

I am overwhelmed with grief and rage. And I swear that I will not stop until every cursed slum, every cursed lodging, every cursed tenement, every cursed police is reformed and my dog is avenged!

Jacob Riis