The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1874-09-12
Murder in HazIetOn.


The Hazleton Daily News, of Satur-
day, gives the following particulars of
the murder of the Chief of Police, in
that borough, on Friday night:
The community was startled this morn
ing by the intelligence that S. II. Claus
er, our Chief of Police, was shot and
killed last night, by man named Fred
erick Lapp.
From the evidence given before the
Coroner's Jury this morning, it appear
ed that Lapp had been to the picnic
at Rosenstock's IS yesterday and INDUCED
in too much benzine for his own good,
and consequently returned to town
last night. intoxicated and determined
on mischief
He visited number of our saloons
with several friends, who had been
spending the day with him, and finally
pulled up in front of Mr.. Bach's resi-.
dence, on East Broad street, near the
brewery, where he became belIcose and
drew his pistol, at the same time brand
ishing black jack or billey. Officer
Clauser hearing the noise, made by
Lapp, hurried down street, and meeting
him advised him togo home. remonstra-
ting with him upon the nonsense of
which he was guilty. Lapp in answer
to Clauser said "step back or l will
shoot at the same time presenting the
pistol. Clauser approached him and
endeavored to quiet the man, but he,
upon the approach of the Officer, fired
the fatal shot. Clause upon receiving
the ball called to Officer Henry: "Ar-
rest that man, he has shot me-" That
was his last expression on earth.
The following is the notes taken at
the hearing before the Coroner's Jury
this mornings:
The prisoner having been placed be-
examined was Joseph Henry, one Of
the Borough Police Force. He said in
substance
The Chief and myself were standing
at the corner of Broad and Pine streets.
We heard shot and he said to me let's
go down. We ran down to the railroad
hearing another as we went. When in
front of Mr.. Bach's residence, we met
the prisoner, and Mr.. Olauser asked
him what he was making so much noise
for? The prisoner, Fred. Lapp, i'm
meGately drew pistol and said Stand
back or I'll shoot, and Immediately
fired. The shot took effect in Clausers
body and he called to me to arrest
him.
After firing the fatal shot, Lapp ran
away, followed him, and when brought
to bay he snapped his pistol at me two
or three times, but arrested him; when
taken he said "l'll give up, can't do
no more, its empty now !" witness here
produced the pistol, Smith & Weston,
No. 2, five shooter, which was indenti-
fed as being the pistol used, and ac-
knowledged by the prisoner as being
his, with four chambers empty, one
still remaining loaded.
Joseph Richards sworn. Was in bed !;
heard shot fire; was called down; heard
there was man killed; went down on
the sidewalk and found Clauser welter-
ing in his gore; couldn't say who shot
him.
DIR. Delkers, DR.. Longshore and DR..
Ramsey, were all sworn, and each con-
CURED in the opinion that death ensued
from hemorrage. superinduced by gun
shot wound the shot having been fired
by some party to them unknown, and
the jury adjourned. The Squire re-
manding the prisoner until this evening
when he will be taken to Wilks-Barre,
there to stand his trial for the murder
of one of the best officers which Halle
ton ever posse ssed.