The New York herald., 1870-03-10
THE NEWARK DAY BRIDGE TRAGEDY.
The Alleged Murderer In Jail at
Elizabeth.
He is Visited by Herald Reporter-Baron Won
Below Acts as Interpreter-Tho Murdered
Mans Body Still Undiscovered-Dis-
graceful Negligence Of the Union
County Authorities

The tragic occurrence which took place last Thurs
day morning on the southern end Of the Central
Railroad bridge across Newark bay has ever since
been the principal theme or conversation IN New
Jersey prettlest city tylish little Elizabeth. Much
indignation Is felt and exercised against the auhor
ties OF Union county In consequence or their neglect
to make the slightest effort towards the
cry OF the body OF the supposed murdered man.
vestge Of which has not been seen yet 1t stated
that tine reason why no movemenr In this
direction has been made Is. first, because
some doubt exists as to whether the alleged
crime was committed In Bergen or Union
county, and, secondly, on account OF the expense.
As Tor the rst 1t has been established BY measure
meut that the CRIME took place on the Union county
side OF the bridge. demonstrating c0nciusivey that
the Union county authorities are responsible to the
community for the administration OF justice
alike to the living and the -dcad-espe-
cialy as there are circumstances which
lead many intelligent persons to believe tnat
no crime, or at least no intended crime. had been
committed. AS Tor the second plea put forward,
why no action has been taken, common humanity
cries aloud mockingy and exclaims, lis this JERSEY
justice Yo it mas been asserted that Jerseymen are
close very close, but surely not to such degree
that the trning expense Of striving to find the body
OF a supposed murdered man Is begrudged.
Yesterday representative Of the HERALD visited
the Union County Jall located at Elizabeth, In the
rear Of the County Court House, on Broad street.
and o more scrupulously clean, bright cheerful
looking prison (provaing that it is possible for any
prison to be cheerfuD could not be found even IN
New England 70 say that 1t reflects credit on the
courteous Warden, Mr.. Ward, Is simply stating the
truth. Confined IN ground floor cell, stretched out
on MS pallet, lay George Roehricn,
THE ALLEGED MURDERER,
thin, spare. ca0averous sickiy looking wretch,
with long, un9empt dark hair, swartny complexlon,<
almost undlstinguishabie for the fifth He is thirty
eight years Of age and has been in The country but
about nine months. HIS knowledge OF Eng ish Is
necessarily very scanf, so that the HERALD reporter
had TO cast about III search OF an interpreter, and
very excellent one was found without leaving The
prison. in the person OF Baron otto Won Below, who
Is likewise an inmate of the jail, awaiting trial on
charges OF fraudulent character Through the
Baron Roehrch stated that he is carpenter by trade
and native OF Ovendorf, near Essel Coch Bavaria.
Since his arrival IN this country he said he had been
unfortunate in not obtaining employment and was
forced to travel from place to place to exc out the
ago III. left Philadelphia, and last Wednesday night
arrived IN Elizabeth. having tramped it all the way
put up the night in the lodgers room at the sta
tion house and there for the drst time met the man
whose life ne Is suspected to have TAKEN The latter,
ike hlmsef came from Germany, but had been III
this country several years. In the course OF their
conversation 1t transpired that Roehrich was pos
sessed Of fifteen cents, while the other had not
single copper even. In the morning the lodaers'
room was cleaned out at the customary time and
WHAT TOOK PLACE ON THE BRIDGE
is as fOllows:-"He had nearly reached the bridge
when he was Overtakeu by mis- companion OF the
previous night, OF whose name he was even ign0r.
ant Alter trudging along few yards the stranger
abruptly demanded Roenrica's fifteen cents, TO
which the latter demurred. High words ensued,
which finally resulted in the stranger declaring that
he would knock the other down II he did n05 hand
over the money. BY this time the two had reached
the bridge and crossed 1t for considerable distance,
1t being nearly, II not quite, TWO miles In length.
At length, as ROehrlch further states the stranger
struck him powerful blow between the eyes,
which Knocked him sprawing across the ties, rem.
dering him partially insenslDe, he being then rather
unwell. Recovering himself, he arose. intending to
return the blow, and put out his hands towards his
assaiant. The latter lodged the blow, but In doing
SO slipped and ieif through the ties into the
Roehrich says he himself was so faint that he could
not render any assistance and the unfortunate man
sank and was drowned before his eyes, That there
was
A PERSONAL RENcoNTRE
seems certain for even yet Roehrlch retains evidence
OF having been struck his nose being scratched and
bl0ck rings still enclrcllnG his eyes. Since his In
generation he has been splitting blood continually
ana mas all the time been IN charge OF physician
He has also passed blood IN another way, and
certainly looks as sick as though ne might anyhow
be on the verge or the grave. There were no wit
nesseS whatever to the occurrence, and hence
positive necessity Of having the body Of the missing
man at all events.
In the case OF the latter, not even the Elizabeth
authorities know who ne was, where he came from
or even his name, owing to the dsgracefully loose
manner in which affairs at the station house are
managed. There is no blotter kept, and tramps 60
and como nightly without even their names being
asked. Chief OF Police Keron says he has no
authority In the matter and hence is not TO blame.