The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-07-19
he FAR R0CKAWEY OUTRAGE.

Jubieen are the attractions for the present week.
TIE FAR R0CKAWAY OUTRAGE.
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How the Affair Happened and Who Were
the Perpetrators Of tho 0utrcge-Tne
Excitement ia the Viiiage-Tbe sheriff and
His Officers on Hand 10 Prevent n Dis
turbnnce.
The murderons assault which was made upon
Rev. Father owen OF Newark, N. d., few days ago,
at Par Rockaway, by q hotel keeper and his bar
keeper, still continues TO be the theme OF converse
ton and discussion at that place. For some reason
or another best known TO the parties concerned in
the afYray-the assaied well as the assailants--
knowledge OF the outrage was carefully concealed
from the public until the condition of one OF the H.
jured parties had reached such critical point that
further concealment would have been criminal. In
deed up to the present time no true version OF the
AFFAIR has as yet been published, and the
real facts concerning the whole ianentabe
occurrence may, therefore, not be without
certain degree Of interest to the public in general,
and may also serve 10 set aside good many pre-
judces that have been stirred up by the one-sded
statements Of the assault which have been already
dragged into light. The facts can be briefly stated
On the night OF the ARRAY about ten O'Clock, Fathers
Fagn, Of Williamsburg, and owen, Of Newark (who
but few hours previous to the assault and had put
up at Caffrey's Hotel, went down on the beach to
take stroll. While walking along an unfrequented
part Of the shore Father Fagn suggested that good
bath would be rather refreshing than otherwise,
when the two priests after assuring themselves that
there was no other person in their vicinity quietly
proceeded to divest themselves OF their clothing
They had scarcely begun this very Ordinary opera
ton when two girls, afterwards ascertained to be
Miss Ella RICE sV emerged rom sort Of shruboery
work near by, Miss Carroll at once addressed her.
self to the two priests and remarked that naked
bathing on the beach was not allowed, especially
should act accordingly. was 50 dark at the time
that the priests were unable to discern who their
nterlocutors were, but Of them replied that II It
was improper for them 70 battle without bathing
clothes at so late an hour It was entirely improper for
young ladies to be In lonesome place as they
were Of SO late an hour. The girls thus rebuked,
immediately left the spot, murmuring something
paid no attention. About half an hour after this
occurrence the latter left the beach and walked
sensmn NOUS house they heard some person say
"There 60 the men who insulted us, and In an IN
slant afterward they were SET na,. upon n,sd BY
Mott Mott was vas the s'' first TO strike blow.
ana Father Fagin, who happened to be q few steps
be the objective point He was feled and partially
stunned by the force Of the blow, but quickly re.
9ot and 9 rise to his se
knowing VINO his assailant was he cried
DS .nn,oes Catholic priest" when me
saSias1 so same a & arSs
the heel Of my boot into the head OF the papst
to where the scuff1ing was going on, and had no
sooner reached Faiher Fagin's side than he was
temple with some instrument. He fell rom the VIC.
lence Of the blow. while the blood gushed protusely
from the wound caused BY me weapon IN
stabbed" as he fell when the two men ceased their
onslaught. but not until after gentleman who lives
in Motifs immediate vicinity had done all in his
power to keep Mott and his barkeeper from doing
the priests further injury.
This gentleman, who was an eyewitness Of the
array states that his attention attracted to the
row by hearing Mrs. Mott cry out "Stop it stop IT,
Ben r., ana another voice, "For Gods sake
self ana Corser Mott would have murdered Father
Fagin-that Ii, he judges 30 from the savage man
was y ng the How this stae
ment can be reconclled with the fact Of Corser's
brutality toward Father Owen is rather mysterious
to say the least, but as the gentleman In question
has ever since the ARRAY been very much opposed to
stating all he knows abont the matter
cannot be unravelled by proper investigation.
| 1t was rumored day or two ago that Father Fagn
| was under the impression that Mott had nothing
whatever to DO with the attack him, and that he
felt certain that be and his fellow priest mad been
assaulted BY New York rowdles. Mott, however,
has made no secret thing Of his participation the
attack, and has spoken to several persons on the
subject even as late as Yesterday, and seemed to
CONSIDER tne tnlng very UrVlal aHa1r aIter 8ll.
1t is needless to state that the excitement over
the outrage is running very high just now in
Far ROckaway. fnded threats of mObbing Mott
and tearing down his house over his head have been
frequently made and yesterday especially the indi
cations pointed very strongly toward such aconsum
nation. In several prominent places In the village
notices were posted UP, purporting to be signed by
vigilance committee" ordering all the guests
at Motifs hotel to leave before noon, and during the
day all the servants attached to the house. Is said
were ordered by the authority to consider Mott
no longer their boss." The few guests who were at
| his house did not comply with the order Of the
vigilance committee" before noon, and up to tour
O'Clock no disturbance had taken place IN the vii
| iage. The Sheriff OF queens county, accompanied
the day to prevent any breach OF the peace. 1t Is
| contended by many persons that the vigilance
committee order was but an ingenious dodge OF
| Mott to gain the sympathy OF the public and rs
proof OF this surmise they point to the fact that
after the prescribed hour for the departure OF the
disturbance whatever This however. is only given
as surmse and can be taken for what 1t Is worth.
The man COrser, IL may be added, has disappeared
from the village and no person seems TO know any
l. thing OF bis whereabouts.
In conclusion II should he said that OF late Far
Rockaway has, like CoDey Island, fallen from grace
| as watering place. 10 Is undoubtedly true that
| there many persons OF the highest respectable
lty who have cottages m the village, but 1t Is
| frequented altogether too much by low characters
from TINS city 10 make 1t pleasant resort for
sOjOurners who have liking for peace and quiet
ude. The respectable residents Of the place deplOre
| this fact more than anybody else, and they have
| Rockaway had very good name. But the sooner
decent people understand that its old reputation
no more the better Tor themselves.