The New York herald., 1873-12-03
A POLICEMAN MURDERED.
A Brave Officer Fatally Struck with a
Stone by Negro Thief
Arrest of the ALLEGED
Assassin.

Onlcer Edward L.. Burns. OF the Eighth precinc
| police. was struck on the head with a stone IN the
hands. IL Is alleged OF Isaac Hatch, negro, while
| on the way 10 the station house In Prince street
1.-The night before last He died at mis- residence
E0A69 West Thirteenth street, about two hours
afterwards. At eleven O'Clock 0ficer Burns, with
number Of other policemen, followed theiI
Captain (waIns) from the station house TO
disorderly negro den at No. Oil Broome street
This place had been nuisance to the inhabitants
OF the neighborhood for long time and Captain
Williams determined to break 1t up. Colored
people OF the most abandoned character OF both
sexes frequented 1t, and continued their dlssipa-
tons up to q late hour each night. The mo-
ment Captain Williams and his men made
their appearance in the street on Monday night
there was general rush towards the back en-
trance, but only about i've or six persons managed
to get out when the police fastened the door on
the inside. All found within were made prisoners,
and as soon as something like order was restored
Captain Williams turned to the last officer who
had entered the house, who happened to be Burns,
and desired him to take q certain prisoner to the
station house. The of1icer promptly took hold of
the man (Hatch) and started out with him. AS
he was leaving the premises one OF the
other policemen cautioned him to be on his
guard, saying that the prisoner was q
slippery customer. Burns answered that he would
take care, but unfortunately he does not seem to
have been watchful enough. All that is yet known
OF his movements from that moment until he was
discovered
LEANING AGAINST A RAILING
IN Prince street Is that he took the direction of
South Fifth avenue for the station house. He had
evidently made half the distance between the cor
ner Of South Fllth avenue and the house, which
stands on the corner OF Prince and wooster Streets
when the fatal blow was struck. He was almost
within calling distance OF the station. Oficer
Kerns VINO had started from the l'a Gen
oner shortly after Burns taking different
route and going through wooster street, was
the station locked his prisoner up, and was re-
turning TO the scene OF the raid when he saw
from the station house. Thinking he had been
drinking and not wishing to be a witness against
him for any charge that might be made for the
Fifth avenue to Broome street. He had further
reason for not rendering Burns any assistance.
such as the occasion would seem to demand, which
was that Roundsman Jackson was within few
yards OF him, In company with another officer and
both were walking in the direction OF Burns keirns
up to Burns. Seeing blood lowing from the back
OF his head upon his linen, he called upon the
dying man to the station house. Arrived before
the desk, 0ilcer Burns complained OF feeinab i'll.
ana too tne sergeant IN charge ne nad been struck
stunned him for awhile and the prisoner had run
or DR.. Cook, the Police Surgeon OF the district,
was sent for and arrived promptly. He examine
the wound in the oficer's heaa and dressed 1t. BY
this time all the other prisoners had been locked
up and the Captain arrived at the house. On
inquiring OF the Doctor Of the extent and danger
OF the wound, the latter replied that the skull was
slightly dented, but the wound was not serious
one. he recommended however, that the Captain
send Officer Burns to his home in charge OF q
couple OF other officers, and the Captain replied
81 WILL DO BETTER THAN THAT,n
and sent for carriage Burns was placed In the
carriage, with two or his comrades and the Doctor,
and driven to his but gong from the
men beside themselves when DR.. Cook
announced to them that. Burns was dead.
and stopped for moment to look at him. Being
convinced that there was no longer any life in the
body OF their comrade, they lifted him in their
minute entered the world instead Of having just
gone out off What preparation the time would
allow was given bis wife, but they could not delay
until the first shock OF such intelligence had passed
over her, and the body was conducted into her
created profound impression in the station house.
He was respected and liked by every man in the
the time who was not eager to start In
pursuit OF his murderer. Captain Williams would
e mo @ to LOOK Sq e ed weo
mitted the crime. At naf-past two O'Clock In the
morning he returned with Hatch and locked him
up. In the meantime search OF the street, in the
vicinity OF the spot where Officer Burns was dis
covered, was made for the instrument with which
the murder was committed. For long time moth
ing that looked like weapon could be noticed,
but before the search was abandoned one OF the
policemen engaged in the work saw smooth,
almost round, paving stode on the sidewalk, close
to the place where Burns lay, and picked 1t up.
Upon examination ir proved TO be the instrument
got possession OF this stone-whether he picked it
up in the street or had 1t with him at the time OF
mis- arrests not yet known but in all probability
fHE sMooTHNRss AND CLEANLINESS
Of the stone gives this impression. 1t would have
been very dilcult or almost impossible for him to
pick up while in the custody OF the oicer that
he must have had 1t In his pocket previously. he
sU oaos or
hand and struck the blow. Although it seems i'm.
probable Burns might have taken his hand
the pavements were covered with snow and walk
ing was difficult and dangerous and In that way
1e son an S waF
them when they feel secure about them. and
Onlcer Burns may have done this. 1t was
he i'' did, 'a and one s''tS that IS deeply % to be
regretted throughout the department. the loss
steady, faithful policeman, and his captain says
one OF the bravest men IL has ever been his for.
tune to meet. He has only been In the department
since the 9th OF last May, but in that time ne mad
managed to earn the good will and friendship OF
all those with whom he came in contact The
commissioners speak or him IN the highest terms,
and said yesterday that they knew OF but lew
men in the force that gave such promise Tor the
iuture Mr Henry smith, the President, took
him TO the detective ONCE this week. He came to
New York from Philadelphia, where he was attached
to the detective force and where he seems to have
been highly esteemed. The officials In Philadelphia
who have known and worked with him retain their
estimate OF his value and seem to continue their
interest IN his welfare Letters from some OF them
were received by President Smith during the past
week, warmly eulogistic Of the unfortunate oicer.
lie leaves a vile and two children, OF whom he
was the only support. superintendent Matsell
and the President held consultation yesterday in
reference to the funeral, and both decided TO be
present. but whether 1t viii be attended by the
whole Department, or only by his comrades Of the
Eighth precinct, has not vet been decided. The
superintendent was informed OF the murder at
about half-past three O'Clock yesterday morning
by Captain Williams, who went to his house
Immediately after locking hts prisoner up, TO re-
port what had been done and receive any orders
Tor further action which the Superintendent
might consider necessary to give him. Hatch
wnen arrested had nothing to say Tor himself He
pretended that the other negro, who was arrested
at the same time as he, threw the stone, but the
police ieel confident that he was the man. Some
OF the ofiicers tnink 0tflcer Burns had two pris-
oners, but that is evidently error, for the Cap
tain's order to him was to '.Take that man, aud