The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-11-08
SHOCKING TRAGEDY IL GREENWICH STREET.

und Escape N one OF the f-crpetratOrS-
Coroner's Inquest Upon the Body Of De-
cessed-Vertiict or the Jury-One OF the
Mur1erers Caught, SC.
The basement of No. 80 Greenwich street, on Friday
night the Of Of the fendish of
violence ever perpetratcd in Christian community
respectable woman well advanced in years, named Te
Sptzn, was ravshed and then choked to death by
party Of four five rowdies who entered the premises
above stated against the will of the occupants, and
shen commenced series of violent hitherto unpa
Haleied in the annals Of crime.
appears that about II O'Clock p. NJ when the
pants of the basement question had all retired for the
night party of four rowdies, named Morris 0Conne
James Tool William Hagan, and boatman called Sailor
Dan," came TO the basement door and demanded ad
mittance. This denied them, when one Of the fe
lcws threw brick against the door, and pro
cecded to force it open, while the others went
aruund by the rear and tried TO gain entrance
through the back may be well for state
hero that the basement occupied by German named
Christian Martin, lager bier saloon Of very low re-
pute. But, nevertheless the woman Spitzn was re-
spectacle and industrious female as will be seen from
she sequel who lodged in the place during the night time
and worked out during the day
O'Connell who appeared be the ringieader of the
party succeeded forcing open the front basement door,
when he entered the place. and running through to the
hallway, uuboted the back door there and allowed
his companions to enter As Martin found that the
place complete possession of the rowdes he turned
of the gas thinking that that would deter them from any
further of violence But the failed most signay
Finding that little or no opposition was by pro-
pretor OF the saloon, the ruans proceeded take i'm
proper liberties with his wife and sister -in-aw.
The deceased, who lying asleep upon the
1oor when the rowdes entered the place.
here forward and endeavored TO protect
the other women. Being an aged woman,
and who could in English she thought she
sould manage TO pacy the fellows by telling them TO take
and behave themselves like But they paid
attention TO her entreates, and seemed bent doing
something desperate. At this moment o'Counell and
Tool is alleged caught hold of the poor old creature
one by the legs and the other by the head and dragged
h into adjoining bedroom for the purpose of violating
her person.
Deceased struggled hard with the ruans aud screamed
loudly for aid but could be Afforded her. the oer
two rcwdies had complete possession of the premises Tool
first violated deceased and then left her the tender mer
clos Of oConne The latter, perpetratng the assault
found necessary choke the deceased order stde
her cries for help Most efectuay did he smother the
Of the unfortunate woman for he choked her to
death.
Having accomplished their hellish desire they left the
premises and cooly walked off, nothing had occurred
By this time the police had got wind of the affair and
upon entering the basement and examining the body OF
The PROSTATE they found that life had become
extinct.
They instantly went in pursuit OF the fugtves and
eeeded after q brief Search in finding 0'Conne Tho
prtcner taken TO the substaton house In Trinity
place, when be expressed willingness to do all in his
power to aid the officers their search for the rest OF the
gang He stated the sergeant then in command of the
the police the spot where the gang we're concealed
Tho sergeant was completely entrapped. He ailo~ea
TIE rsoner in charge Of policeman Gieather alone
and the pair proceeded down Rector Greenwich
together While walking in Greenwich street, just they
within few yards OF the Battery oConnell started
on and left the officer standing in the side
walk The fugitive was pursued but he managed to make
good his escape and to the present time has euded
the vigilance OF the police.
Yesterday morning the search for the fugtves
commcnced, but with no better result sailor Dan ma
nged 10 get board OF brig bound TO Mobile and is
hs way to that port OConnel Is supposed 10 be
screted somewhere IN the neighborhood Of the spot
20 find any clue 10 his hiding place Tool was seen yes
terday morning but Is believed that he Is many
miles from New York. Hagan's whereabouts has not
some where in Washington street.
The occupants OF the saloon, including the proprietor
and conveyed 10 the station house as witnesses TO await
the action Of the Coroner in the matter The female pri
evinced much sympathy for the poor who
had sacrificed her own life while endeayorng 10 protect
their persons from violence.
THE coRoSER's INQUEST.
Al Coroner Conncry proceeded the station house
whore the body Of the deceased then lying and
once commenced to investigate the matter A Jury was
nrrt empannclcd, when the following gentlemen were
sworn make true inquiry into the Of the murder
ed woman
W. I. Shannon, Brooklyn.
Henry Hanghl, New York Hotel
Charles Curricr, Brooklyn.
Francis Score, No. 24l Fifih avenue.
n, H. Wallace, No, % Beach street
n J. Ferguson, No. "a Broadway.
The Coroner then proceeded take the testimony OF the
witnesses who had been subpuaned as follows
Francis Martin being duly sworn, deposed that h e
kvcd at No. 81 Greenwich street; deceased has lodged
with me for the last month"; and paid cents per
night she worked for doctor the OF Cedar
Greenwich streets che not a prostitute; between
and O'Clock last night party of three men came TO my
house and kicked In the door Of my basement; fireman
"a big loaiercame 10 with two other loafers and
menoed lighting with my sister they threw sister and
daughter the floor and tried 20 them In improper
manner; told them that had no girls when they
took hold of deceased and offered her money then went
between deceased and them and told them 60 away
not TO touch her little fellow then up and
dirk knife and held over my chest and told me that
nteriered with him he would Kill me- then told of
the young men a. go out for policeman but he said he
AFRAID they would Kill him and would not go; then
ran look for one, but could not find any did not
sec what they did 10 deceased until back when
tnok light and went into the back room where found
man by the name Of Morris Council lying on Decreased
with his hands around her throat the rcst of the party
gone Immediately gave the alarm, when be ran
away
Frederick Toeprtz living at 13l Greenwich street, de.
posed that he apothecsyr, knew deceased Cor
three weeks; she worked for that length of time;
think she decent woman she lett my house about
eight O'Clock last night she quite well them she told
she boarded with tailor, know nothing about the
occurrence that took place last night.
Fila nedrich, living nj % Greenwich street. with her
sss,cr Mrs Martin, derosed follows II knew deceased
fr three months always knew her az good charac
Ter went 10 bed before eight O'Clock last night about
hall an hour after four broke IN the door one
ef them hv the Of Morris Cel caught hold OF me
and threw the floor; got up and took my child
and ran up stairs when went up stairs told the land
sdy and we went into the yard when Morris Conne came
out Of the back window; the landady caught hold
cf him and said Now have got you, and will know
YOU again. he got away from her and away, then
went for an officer, and whom came back deceased
diving. aid not see what was done TO her.
Jobn Weikc, Of No. 81 Greenwich street, deposcd
soIows-I am an emigrani runner; two men came down
and k cd in the door they went into the back
room and caught hold OF deceased by the throat and
dragged her into the back room was afraid 10 out for
moro paen ai tbe