Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1840-03-02
Police OEice.

Extraordinary Fight wih four Burglars The
magistrates OF the upper office were engaged through
out Saturday IN the investigation of most remark
able outrage, which marks, in an especial manner,
the utter ,nefcicncy of the present police force
On Friday night DR.. Federal Vandenburg, who re-
resides at No II Washington Place, retired to
, his bes1 about midnight, having only himself
and two female servants in the house. In the
of half hour he awoke by the
jinging of gold or silver coin, ana on peering
out from his bed curtains he appalled, at the
sight OF tall fellow with dark lantern, whom he
took for robber or murderer. Summoning his
presence of mind ana personal courage 10 his aid,
the Doctor first threw blanket the head Of the
robber, and then rolling the blanket round the man,
the Doctor got his walking cane, which contained a
pike at the esd; he went down t. the lower apart
ments, where another rufiian rushed upon the doc
tor, but he being armed with the pike, gave this
fellow such warm reception S pu, him horS du
combat This fellow fell with a groan, and then
another assaulted the Doctor who retreating to-
wards the office for the purpose of calling the
10 his aid This fellow also met with his reward in the
shape of poke from the pix and then fourth rob-
Der came upon the scene. This fellow closed with
the doctor, and tremendous struggle ensued which
ended In the doctor being thrown a table and
stunned. How long he lay there is uncertain, but
when he coming to, he heard some say, 'oh
I'm stabbed" and he felt a stream of warm liquid
falling over his face. The DOCTOR conceiving that
OF the robbers had stabbed his comradc, instead
of himself, began 10 look for his sword caAe, de
fend himself To the last extremity. Before he cou
attain his object, he was feed blow, and did
by the fright, and the robbers with their wounded
had escaped On reaching the apartments. IL was
discovered that pocket book had Deen rfed of -S,
and the doctors gold watch found lying IN "A
pool OF blood, and IL large dirk knife, stepped
in blood TO the very hilt We happy TO add that
the doctor received material injury ard that il
conectured, of the assasins is MORALLY wound
ed. Up TO last night, Sunday traces of them
had been by the indefatgabes, either at
the upper or lower police
The Sm;ti Family IA Trou5le.-Among the eases
Ill - y.
ing were three which involved the character of
four members of this universally troublesome iam-
ly. Philip Smith, a nephew of John Smith, senior,
charged with robbing Henry Goodwin, his en-
ployer, Ot Ss2OO Philip ienicd the foul aspcrsion
and in order clear his character charged his en-
ployer with keeping gambling house, OF little hell
where negroes and others were constantly playing
for money.
The justice remaaded the boy for further exsmi-
nation.
sarah Smith aged Is or under, sam Smith and
George Watson. both juvenile soap locks were
caught together house in Water street Sarah
laid she the daughter of John Smith, Jr. and
sam said he was the sf John Smith, Jr Wat
the of nobody in particular. Ia this
the worthy magistrate adjudged the girl to the
Penitentiary for the six months, and said that he
mad good mind Ia direct the prison barber to trim
off the soap locks from the fronts pieces of her sedu
As IL was, he should postpone his decision
until Monday.
damsel, was caught in peculiar position in printing
Office in Gold street, in company with John NJ An
drews and another young gentleman, who OF
when the Waterman made his appearance. John
and Belinda were both sent 20 the tombs for want of
bail