"Jerry Fox arrived near Brooklyn City Hall around 1879. He was a young cat, believed to be about 2 or 3 years old. Earlier records connect him to undertaker Jacob M. Hopper before he settled near T.F. Fox's café in the civic district. The café was in a busy government district, home to court buildings, municipal offices, and transit routes. He quickly became a familiar presence. Workers noticed he followed the same patrol path daily through City Hall Park and nearby streets,"
"By 1903, age started affecting Jerry's health. Historical reports mention tooth loss and severe vision decline, and walking near trolley tracks became dangerous. A local optometrist, Dr. Charles F. Hughes, reportedly created custom spectacles to help him navigate busy streets. Newspaper descriptions noted that the glasses gave him a distinctive appearance. Office workers often placed newspapers near him while he sat outside municipal buildings. Observers said he appeared to read alongside city workers on lunch breaks."
Jerry Fox arrived near Brooklyn City Hall around 1879 as a young cat and became a familiar presence in the civic district. He followed a consistent patrol path through City Hall Park and nearby streets, alerting café staff to unsecured doors and windows and earning recognition from police. Reports credited him with deterring a break-in and chasing a rabid dog from a neighboring business, building a reputation for crime prevention. By 1903 age diminished his teeth and vision, making trolley tracks hazardous. An optometrist reportedly fitted him with custom spectacles that gave him a distinctive appearance as he sat reading newspapers with office workers.
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