The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-11-19
A sELo0DTaIRsTY YOUTH.
Arrest Of the would-Be Champion Murderer,
Burglar and Genera Hard Nut y
Claude DuvA Nowhere. \

Twenty years ago last September two persona, be-
longing TO the labsring class arrived IN thesny OF
New York from the Emerald Ise, OF
which they were Hatives. Having but recently
been married, and beng desirous OF quitting
their former posasn and association they resolved
TO try their fortune in the New World, probably
having advanced ideas upon the,subiccLof the &C.
emulation OF wealth. which mad originated IN the
lengthy and exhaustive reports frequently gotten mp
and promulgated by agents OF emigration on the
other side OF enc Atlantic. Arriving here with their
finances in anything but q nonrishing condition,
Mt and Mrs. Porter, such were their names were
6pcedily compelled TO
SETTLE DOWN AND TACK LIE WORK,
which they found essential for persons In their
positions here aseverywhere else. Their nrst resi-
'lence was in Tenth avenue, where, ayear later,
son was born 20 them, whom they chrs,ened
Thomas after ms father. Young Thomas received
ali the little indulgences from his parents so pecu-
liar and generally accorded, to the FIRST born his
father worked from sunrise no ssaset as a laborer
IN contractors yard IN FL shth avenue order to
IND the necessary means of existence for himself
and family; but he little dreamed, as he danced
his infant son upcn hts rnees by his freslde after
the ton Ct the day, that be was fostering the
germ OF a turbulent aRz dissatisged spirit
and thar the gentle child soon
destined MI positIon,as romantc that OF Dick
at an end as sad and dksgracefm as that celebrated
highwayman and his renowned colleague Tom
King.
THOMAS PORTER
was sent 10 school at the age or four years. and
remained suilicicntly long 10 learn 10 read and
write, bat here.tne bad nature Ia the had be.
came apparent
ne we.,np THROW HIS BOOK OR SLATE
at any one who happened TO cross him. ON one
cason At sle age OF seven years ne showed light to
the stbo0incstress, struSk her Ina che Iaoc and
dashed ouI OF the school in triumph From this
MI IN
tcay 10 have been beyond parental control, adopt
ing pres@rlous mode or existence, but always
evncing Cnmlst3kaele signs OF dishonesty and
eva determination. AT this time he became
acquainted with gang or river thieves who lurked
by day nthe vicinity OF Mercer and Houston Streets
who taught HIM how 20 swallow the intoxicating
drink 10 which he became so partial subsequently,
cunnn1g and regkessness. this gang had little diff
Guilty ia bringing Their new pupil TO
REMARKABLE STATE OF PROFICIENCY
in the treVing profession he being willing 10
murder man Is TO steal his watch. Nothing in the
shape Of roguery TOO black Tor him, and he I'M
Ieriook everything VIII such nrfness Oh purpose
thai he sometimes scared his more scrupuious and
more cautious companions IN crime. His first act
o. robbery that was made pubic, and which
set the officers o. the law upon hts track COM
mited upon the person OF q young lady, near Canal
street, IN broad daylight. Seeing that me damscl
wore splendid diamond pin FOR the purpose OF ias-
tening her shawl, Porter at once conceived strong
production Tor the sparkling gem, went up to
the lady, made or some commonplace
remark, 80 as 10 attract the attention OF
his victim, seized the pin and walked away. The
pin was missed by It's rigntIul owner, the circum-
stance was related at Police HEADQUARTERS and a
warrant was issued Tor his apprehension. Mean
while Porter had been decelvng the members or the
thieves fraternity 10 which he mad attached MIN
SELF by the rule Of
IL expected that all booty, no matter how OBJ
famed, TO be placed AZ the disposal OF all the
pin and spent the proceeds TO qu,dae his private
obligations Scarcely had he spent the last |
captured by the police, tried at General Ses- |
sions and sent 70 a house OF refuge or
re coInmendaton IN consideration Of his YOUTH but
without a knowledge OK the history OF the young
Iecnsant. me feformatory tailed 10 reform MIN or
trary, the confinement Ia the Home only seemed to
sour ms nature and III In. MS imagination with
TO have contemplated the murder Of several
OF the assistants In tae Home and boosted OF his
special facilities FOR carrying such horrible pro-
iect into execution. AL the expiration OF the three
years he was released, and this dangerous youth
upon the community. NO sooner had he obtained
liberty Of action than be returned TO mis- old haunts;
saw and mixed with Ills old associates, and
PLANNED BURGLARY
upon the premises OF Mr. Doll, No. 43s West Thirty
fourth street, breaking into that house on the 10Th
goods Including trunk Of wearing apparel belong |
ing TO Mr.. Dolls son, and getting away with the |
plumber. Although the police were almost certain
that he was the perpeIator OF this deed they failed
TO obtain sufficient evidence as points In law Ter |
his conviction, and II was not until he was observed
wearing pair o. the stolen boots the property or
Mr.. DOLL that they were able to arrest him on the
charge.
HIS NArvETE
was too much for them even mere, for he produced
oacch OF his conicderates who swore they saw him
purchase the boots and he was discharged.
tie sooner clear OF this job than he leaped
into worse On the 9TH OF July last he entered the
saloon Of Henry JentZ, 4l6 Tenth avenue, ac-
companed by three companions-C Conner,
J, Hogan and II. j. Leidendorf. Being out on
spree, and considerably animated by the FIRE.
gnent application OF alcohol 10 The inner man, which
with cigars they had ordered from JeuZ Porter rose
to leave the saloon and threw down some money
seized the greenbacks and refused to pay anything
using fearful epthet TO Jeurz.
GENERAL FIGHT
now ensued. pistols on ali sides fred Jeutz
receiving ball IN his left thigh. Hogan and Conner
have fired tue shot causing The wound, escaped in
company witn Leidendorr. Hogan was sentenced
was also arrested and locked up, but
owing TO the influence OF friends he was
set at liberty on the understanding that he would
Rssist the police IN securing the man Porter; but IN
stead OF assisting ne subsequently used every effort
to conceal and shield nim. Leidendorf Is at liberty
still. On the 18th OF October o.llcer Aitchison for
meriy OF the Twentisth precinct. met Porter
and attempted 70 arrest nlm when Porter
shots az the officer without effect and
escaped, nut m running away he dashed against
cluDbed confederate OF porter's, aud han threat.
ened TO apply The same chastisenent to him also
Porter, knowing that McAuine was about TO arrest
hJin again drew MS pistol,
FIXED AT AND WOUNDED THE OFFICER,
then made his escape, being one OF the fastest
founc few weeks later at Apollo Hail. endeayorlng
Lc create disturbance for tue special benefit OF
members of the light fingered fraternity, who were
DESTROYS OF 'masIng" watches and other articles in
che crowd, and when an ofilcer named Clayton ap-
peared on the scene Porter drew bowie kiIie and
plunged at the policeman who stepped aside and
dealt him heavy blow with his baton In selfde-
fence. He was evidently bent Oh murder on THIS
OCCASION. On the night or the election he
ATTEMPTED TO KILL JOHN CALVIN
He had previously quarreled wlSh Calvin bGt not
beng able conveniently 10 Ego for him. at the
tune, he waited unCtl more convenient season y
Meeting GAVIN the St inst, he took out his con-
slant companion, the revolver, and fred Geliber- |
ateiy al his breast but finding that the snot missed
It's intended destination, rushed upon Calvin and
would have murdered aim had not some persons |
near disarmed him, as he was taking second aim |
The drawing of blood and shooting OF human beings
he appeared 10 accept as
HIS LEGITIMATE CALLING,
for few days alter the above occurrence meeting
officer Clayton, by whom he was recognized ne lev
elied mis- six-sno0ier. fired three shots and came