The New York herald., 1871-12-25
a TRAP GUN TRAGEDY.

Aus,hsv Sanaay Sensation In Newark A
Noted Burglar shot Dcad-iiiIy HeaIey's
Fcarfal Chrjsrmns Prcsent-An for u Few
Pieces Of Rrsss-The Body Lelt FOR the
Rats to Feast On. erp $40 q 1sis aa94
1t ts a somewhat singular fact that for az least
uiree years past most OF the tragic occurrences in
Newark have taken place on SUNDAY, SO that the
sacred day has come to DO considered Incomplete
unless attended with some startling criminal
sensation. Yesterday was no exception to
the rule. its tragic achievement being the
shooting dead OF a noted burglar and
exstate Prison bird, named William II. Healy,
better known as "Billy the Burglar." About three
O'Clock In the afternoon Mr.. George T. Parker
visited his brass foundry, in the rear Of No. % River
street. opposite the centre street depot or the Now
Jersey Railroad. On entering the first object which
met mis- gaze was aE gEN III sHeG nsfUN
OF a young man leaning against bench near the
door, whether from horror or right Is not stated.
but Mr.. Parker instantly started back, locked hls
place, ANA proceeded to The police station AMI re-
ported the matter to tho ofncer IN charge, Captain
derman siainsby. the iatters brother, and a MI.
Marsh proceeded ut once with Parker 10 his factory
and soon recognized in the stiened corpse the form
OF William Heay. Some time during tne nignt or
early On the morning Heaey- had broken INTO the
foua,lry by pushing in one Of the door panels lie
some seventeen pieces or brass fttings. worth IN
corner oil the place. lie next Walkcu over 10
the bench, IN which was drawer where
was kept some line fancy brass work. The
instant he touched the drawer lie received
A HANDFUL OF BrCKsHOT
OF n coarse number into MS lett SIDE, and probably
dropped dead against the bench without struggle.
Tue snot tore downward into the groin. On his
person was found an account book with warner
VolK, hatters with whom deceased had sometimes
been employed: also his pardon from state Prison,
dated July TO- 1851 and signed by Horace y. Congor,
Secretary OF state. The instrument OF death Il
seven.eghths inch rife bore carblne similar 70 those
used by the Confederate cavalry during the war;
the stock and barrel measure only twenty-eeht
inches. 1t was fixed on the wall at the FAR end or
the bench, and connected with the window and the
drawer oy string MIR. PARKER
was held at the station house until the County Ply
siclan (lDr. Dcod should take action. Aftor pre-
Parker. Healey's body was left In the factory all
last night II any or 1t is left by the rats this morn
ing an inquest Will be held. Why one WAS not
ordered once Is not clear Whlle 0 course, there
" no great regret that the community has been
ever q great deal OF comment on the rigut OF Mr..
Parker 10 place weapon IN the manner descslbed
in hts foundry Had there been hro In the
place and fireman been the nrst 70 break In his
fate would nave Deen sealed. az was that cf the
burglar Healey. In justification OF his course Mr..
Parker says the factory was repeatedly entered ana
robbed. and, taxing the cue nom the New York
gunsmith, Aqanist0, he took desperate measures 10
check the annoyance.
is brief He wss 6;J .=:s:y- -loSf Years OF aye,
ana had been twice In State Prison for burglary aud
once In the County JaIl His last visit to State
MI yaass Or ase ior%srv sisi nc@ ccrrsssn nss
th6 5hey drawer 4 which he cleaned cut HIS
two brothers IN Newark. Few harder cases were
known the authorities.