The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-09-12
NEARLY MURDERED BY MISTAKE.

.-They Mistake Each Other for
Thieve. and Engage I'm Mortal Combat.
In tho ne,ohno,- hood Of TWO o'clock yesterday
morning a man coverc "a with blood and scarcely
conscious entered the Ninth pl~ s'a'oI noose,
IN Gates near Marcy avenue, BrooA.. VS.
recognized by the Sergeant In charge as
Waterman, named Charles August, who has been
employed for some time past in watching the
dwellings along st. Marks place, New York and
Brooklyn avenues. August was so weak and con-
fused that 1t was some time before the Sergeant
could ascertain nom him how and where he mad
got injured: He Stated that he had been
NEARLY MURDERED BY A BURGLAR
~ was passing along Brooklyn avenue" he said,
"between Baltic End Warren streets, just before
twelve O'Clock last night, when discovered man
sitting Oh the stoop Of one Of the houses was
employed to watch. / supposed him to be thief,
waiting for an opportunity to commit a burglary.
asked him what he was doing there, and told him
to move of, and at the same time started to pull
the bell to awaken the inmates. As l did so the
fellow struck me on the head with club and
knocked me senseless. When came to started
for the station house."
The Sergeant finding that August was badly in
jured, lost no time IN summoning Police Surgeon
Brady, but the surgeon found IT Impossible to dress
the wounds alone owing to the excited state OF the
injured man, aad had him removed to the CITY Hos
II appears that Mr.. Adams, resident on Brook
lvn avenue, had furnished house on the opposite
side Of the street Tor MS son. who was to take posses
tour; and fearful that 1t might be broken into and
robbed while unOccupied. he put Thomas Moran,
man who had been in his employ for some years, to
watch it,
WATCHING FOR HOUsEBREAKERs.
This was new business for Moran, and he did not
assume the responsibility with any great pleasure.
though he determined to do his duty let what might
happen. He seemed to be impressed with the idea
that an attempt would be made by burglars to
break into the house, so he stationed himself In the
shadow OF the doorway and kept sharp watch
had forgotten to mention to Moran that there was
private Waterman on the avenue, nor was Moran
aware Of the fact. Moran was In an excited state.
and every man who happened to pass the house
was in Moran's excited Imagination,
sIx-FooT BURGLAR ARMED WITH PISTOLS,
knives and jmmys, and he heaved sigh Of relief
when they passed on and were lost to sight in the
darkness. 1t was nearly midnight when Charles
glimpse Of Moran's figure as he was posted up in
the doorway, like sentinel, 1t was not surprising
that he mistook him for thief Knowing that
backward about stepping boldly forward He had
a little whistle, which he blew, in order, no doubt,
as he Thought to warn the thief that he was about,
and that he had an opportunity to get away.
Moran, hearing the whistle, concluded at once
that the fellow was whistng for confederate on
the other side OF the house, and graspng the club
firmly, he said to himself III that thafe comes
about here I'll give him the weight of this bit OF a
|
| not going to move, mustered up courage enough to
approach the stoop and order him OIL. In mo.
| TWO wATCHMEN WERE ENGAGED IN DEADLY COM
| BAT,
beating each other over the head in terrible man.
| ner. Moran soon had Augustus club wrenched from
| his hand and was pounding him over the head with
it. After the assault 1t appears 1t took August
| two hours to reach the Ninth precinct
| station house, which was only few
blocks distant. Two policemen were sent out to
look up the supposed rufianly assailant, and when
they reached Mr.. Adams house the evidences OF
| the severe conflict were plainly perceptible. The
sidewalk and stoop were covered with blood, and
| Moran sat in the doorway with bloody handker
chief to his nose trying to stanch the blood
which was still dripping from that organ. Before
the police could make any inquiries Moran began
to abuse them for not being about.
"YeZ are niver where yer out to be when yer out
be there. Pm just after having the face o. me
knocked off by murderin' thafe, sure. Bedad,
think he'll be after bothering me any more to-
| night, so l don't, sure"
mo, Moran" replied the oflcer, 81 don't think
he'll bother you again. as he has been taken to the
| hospital and will probably die"
| MORAN-Served him right, sure, the murderin
| thafe.
~ guess you were both little too hasty,n re.
| piled the officer. "The man you thought was q
| thief was the private Waterman, Charles August.
Now you will have to go to the station house with
! usn
Moran was taken to the station house and after.
wards committed to Jail to await examination.
| August will probably recover though the surgeons
say that he is very badly injured.