The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-08-10
SAD CASE OF SHO0f4NG -P0LICEMEN
MISTAKEN FOR BURGLARS-PROBAB
FATAL r ESTLT


SAD CASE OF SHOOTING -POLICEAEl
MISTAKEN FOR BURGLARS-PROBABL
FATAL RESULT
Considerable excitement was created in tht
neighborhood of Howard and Lexington streets
about half past ten O'Clock, on Monday night, b
the shooting of two police officers who were i
search of burglars. An examination in the case wa
had before John T. Ford, acting Mayor, yesterda
morning, and the following testimony elected
John Carr, private watchman, sworn.-Is a pri
vate watchman on Baltimore street; about IL ocloc
heard that party of burglars were in the store @
Robert Garrett Sons, on Howard street, nea
Lexington; went round and examined the premise
and thought all right; then made an examination o
the premises of Messrs Hack & Son, thinking tha
the burglars had probably effected an entranc
there, but found all right; private watchmel
Ford and Horner then made their appearance
and proceeded to the back part of Garrett
place, and found all right, they then re
turned to the front. and climbed up tn
awning-pOst to effect an entrance into the second
story window; whilst they were in the act o
getting into the window, witness saw two men pas
up the steps into the third-story, and informed tn
officers of the fact the officers then came down t.
to the front door and opened it, when policemen
Williams, Welsh and Collins entered; they had no
advanced more than five PAGES when the report o
gun was heard, and four shots were fired in qucl
SuCCeSSlOH, WlIEeSS was Ille llfSC WaIcnna0 on INT
ground; there was great deal of noise outside
and the crowd must have numbered two or three
hundred persons.
Private watchman Eaton Horner ,sworn.--Was pas
sing down Liberty street when he was approached
and told that large crowd was collected in front O
Robert Garrett & Sons store, and it was though
that burglars were in the place; went to the bach
part of the store and found all secure; then wen
front, and with Ford determined 20 effec
an entrance by climbing in at the second
sto vvip Al
dow that it could be raised, and with Ford he ac
cordngly made the entrance he then struck a
light with match, and Immediately discovered ;
quantity of paper scattered about the room, whicl
had been taken from desk witness then turned
to Ford and remarked, there are robbers in here:'
they then started down stairs, and when abou
half way down the match went out Ford ther
lit another match, which lasted until they reached
the first floor, and they then opened the front door
which fastened by bolt; officers Williams
Collins and Welsh then entered and had not gotte,
more than five PAGES when the firing commenced
it proceeded from about the middle of the room
and about 10 feet from the officers; officer Welsl
fell and exclaimed, I'm shot!' the men firing die
not say anything and witness was under the impress
sion they were burglars witness had no badge on
the time; neither had Ford; witness said in a loud
tone of voice that there must be thieves in there
but no answer was made; when the officers entered
one of them had lamp in his hand and at th
time of the firing it was quite light in the room
the officers in uniform, had their badges anC
ratles, and could be easily distinguishes after th
shooting of Welsh the light was extinguished ant
all the parties got out with the exception of witness
who remained in the store about twenty minute
without light, when assistance came; made
great deal of noise in going into the store and wa
talking in a loud voice about burglars did not cal
out to the parties to surrender, he thought they
were in the third story; the light was put out b.
officer Williams, who said that they were "target
''for the burglars"
Col. George w. Zimmerman, sworn.-Was pass
ing up Howard street about halfpast ten O'Clock
and thought he heard noise in Garretts store, a
IT some one was trying to effect an entrance int
the vault by means of crowbar, and was coniden
burglars were about, as he had been shown by Mr.
Garrett about five in the afternoon, a lock which
had been broken the night before by parties seeking
an entrance went across the street, but could fine
no watchman; then went up Eutaw and down Il
Park street, but still unable to find an officer
then told German about it, but cautioned him MOI
to give an alarm, as the burglars might effect the
escape; witness then went to the house of Mr. Hen
ry Garrett, and informed him that he feared hi
store had been entered; Mr.. Garrett laughed anC
told him it was on Y Imagination; that he haC
placed two private watchmen in the store, in whom
he had the utmost confidence and that he felt sure
they would be able to protect his property; witness
did not return to the place. but heard of the shoot
ing short time after at the station house; wal
accompanied to Mr.. CARROTS by MIR. O'Neil whC
returned to the store to inform the police of The
facts; the German gave the alarm; from the time
ue uedTu Tie nUlSe uHLli ne got 10 MT. Jarrett
about fifteen minutes elapsed.
Capt. Lineweaver, sworn.-About eleven O. clock
was informed that there party of burglars il
the store of Robert Garrett & Sons; summonine
officers Mcdonald and Brown went to the place
indicated and found large crowd collected; thu
officers had effected an entrance before witness ar
rived; told Mcdonald to be cautious, as the parties
concealed in the back part of the store might shoe
him; witness then went towards the back part o
the store and found one of the parties trial. wit
fota .-,,1o
and called on him to surrender; the man said ''fol
Gods sake don't shoot" the man said he had shot
all he could; two revolvers gun and sword were
found on his person; the other prisoner denied
having fired a shot.
The testimony of officer Mr.. Donald was about
the same as that of Lineweaver, with the addition
OF the TACT that the man snapped the revolver al
McD. twice before Lineweaver arrested him.
Chas. L. Ford, private watchman sworn-lt was
about 10 o'clock when witness heard about the
affair." went up and tried to effect an entrance into
the back portion of the building, but everything
was secure; went round to the 'front.' and proposed
to private watchman Horner to get in at
the second story window; whilst in the
act of going in, the crowd in the
street gave the information that two men had just
passed up the steps, and gone into the third story
found papers scattered around the room up stairs
and concluded that burglars had been at work
Horner and witness then went down stairs, anC
opened the door, and officers Williams, Collins anG
Welsh entered; they had only taken a few steps
when gun was fired from behind pile of bagging
and officer Welsh fell, excIaiming he was shot; wit
ness received several shot from the gun; one took
effect in the arm, one in the leg, and one in the
body; witness did not think there was any one or
the lower floor until the gun was ired after the
firing one of the officers put the light out; shortly
after the gun was fired, it was followed by three
pistol shots, and Horner fired in return.
oifcer Williams, sworn.-Witness was standing
on the corner OF Baltimore and Eutaw streets, when
he was informed that party of burglars had been
discovered in the store of Robert Garrett Sons;
Collins and witness went down and found a large
crowd In the street: went around to the alley but
found all secure witness then returned to the front
when private watchmen Ford and Horner made an
entrance through the second-story window anc
then came down and let the officers in; they had
not taken more than half dozen steps when the
firing commenced from behind the bags: Welsh
fell, exclaiming "Blly, Pm shot" and witness TOLD
him to 'roli to one side,-he would relieve him il
a minute;" the firing continuing, he put the light
out, as 1t was making them target for the sup
posed burglars he then told the officers to stoor
low so as to avoid the fire of the party; Horner re
turned the fire, but without effect; when Captain
Lineweaver made his appearance he arrested
Dinks, and policeman Mcdonald arrested Guisen
Henry =. Garrett, sworn.-Is a member of The
firm of Robert Garrett Sons; witness testified tha
there bad been three attempts made to effect an en-
trance into their store;h first attempt was made
Tuesday night; the second on Thursday night: afte
the second attempt, witness went to the Western
station and informed Capt. Brown of the facts re
questing that the officers the beat should be mott
fed in regard to thems0 that they might give thei
attention;no furtherattempt was made until Sundar
night, when daring effort was made to effect Al
entrance into the vault by using erowbar; witnes
then concluded that effected through th
second-stofy window, and on Monday determined t
place two private watchmen in the store; witnes
accordingly ordered two men, who had been in hi
employ for some length of time named John Guise
and Jacob Dlnks, to take their station near tn
middle of the floor, and if the burglars made thei
appearance, to shoot them; the neighbors of wit
ness asked him to take this precaution, as the
thought it necessary for his own and their safety
as, failing in getting booty, they might fire tn
premises; he was particular in stationing ther
where they could have fair view of the steps lead
ing from the second-story, as he was confident tina
the burglars would make their entrance throug
the window; witness cautioned them not to fire ur
less there was more than two in the party, but
| they feared they would be overcome, they mus
lire; witness regretted exceedingly that things ba
resulted so unfortunately to the officer but the me
had only done as they were ordered; he spoke
both as being quiet, peaceable men, and gave theI
high character for honesty and moderation.
John w. Garrett, Esq, another member of tn
and stated that they had only obeyed instruction
in firing when they did.
Dr. Maund, sworn.-Is pi ysician to the Wester
police station; was called last night to attend Ii
wounded policeman, Welsh; be is shot in the bac
and also in the lung; can't say whether the woun
Is mortal or not but it is very dangerous one.
Other evidence was given, but it was merely
repetition of that given above. N s-s-a,
5, A. Leakin appeared for the State, and c.,