The New York herald., 1872-07-10
ANOTHER BRIDGEPORT TRAGEDY.
A Sensation in tho City-A Man Thrown 0ver .
Railroad Bridge BY an Alleged New
York Bruiser and Drowned-A,
Remarkable Occurrence.
BRIDGEPORT. Conn. JuIx q. 1a1a

BRTDGEP0RT, Conn.,, July 0, 18Th
Hardly has our community become quiet from tho
excitement Of the mysterious killing Of Captain Coz
vocoresses whom 1t is again excited by q tragedy
hardly less terrible although entirely different In
Its details. 1t was announced this morning that Q
German named Ludwig v. Theirs had been thrown
over the railing Of the foot bridge leading
to East Bridgeport and drowned. The facts upon
investigation developed as follows:-A colored man
named Perry Hughes while passing over the fo0t
bridge ct haf.past one O'Clock this morning, met .
man supposed to be John Curtis, who stepped up to
him and demanded a light. Curtis detained ha
for some time, telling him Of his great muscular
ability and how many men he had whipped, when
the two were joined by the German Theirs,
who was acc0sted by Curtis Some words
passed between them In German. when Theirs
said in English, "Don't say that, have killed more
than one man for saying that;'' whereup0n Curtis
replied, "well, you won't kill another" and seis-
Ing Theirs about the waist he lifted him up bodily
and
HURLED HIM OVER THE RAILING
into the water below. The bridge stands ten or
fifteen feet above the river, and at that point the
mud and water on the nats would trouble sober
man In the day time, and Thiers being probably a
little intoxicated was entirely unable to find
his way out or save himself. The negro
ran over the bridge, calling loudly for the po-
ever Theirs was past saving, having been
drowned, and his murderer had erected his escape.
The body Of Thiers was taken from the water and
an inquest was held upon 1t to-day. From testi-
mOny elected at the inquest 1t appears that Curtis
and the deceased had been at saloon In East
Bridgeport together but short time before Che
going through his sword exercise as was his GUS,
tom when under the influence OF liquor. Curtis Is
represented as having been also somewhat in-
toxicated and, being alarge, strong man, probably
COMMITTED THE DEED THROUGH BRAvADO
to show bis great strength. The verdict Of tho
negro did not knc Curtis but from his description
Of the man who committed the deed there Is no
The murdered man, Ludwig v. Theirs, was Bava-
rian and came to this country twenty years ago at
which time he worked for short period In Bridge
regular army, where he served as q cavalry man
for many years, doing duty under Sheridan during
the war and going aea 81
an illegtlmate son Of the late King Of Bavaria, by
man OF considerable attainments, which partially
corroborated his story, and had received some
Wnere Of mtapT a e we
among the Germans IN this vicinity, and was 2
sober industrious mn man genenray aS Mayg SSa
endeavors to capture
and there Is no question that he will be taken before
long. He is large, strong man, and was much
more than match for Theirs in personal encoun-
ter He has been heard rom passing through hr ugh
relatives residing. Curtis had not been long in
this part the soun Theirs II sn
as a carriage blacksmith and came to Bridgeport
last Saturday on spree. He had but little money
with him. and his n,,p employer 9wsa nun "a aoqIs sc
alpaca coat, dark brown pants and soft black hat.
He has an English face, wears mustache, and has
head. He is about six feet tall, and weighs 22z
pounds.