New-York tribune., 1874-12-16
THE BODIES UNDER FRIENDLY EYES


THE BODIES UNDER FRIENDLY EYES
A DRAMATIC SCENE AT THE MoRGUE-THE BODY OF
THE YOUNGER BURGLAR RECOGNIZED By
WoMAN-suE DROPS A HINT ABOUT CHARLEY
Ross-rHE DOUGLASS OF BETTER DAYS.
The most dramatic and impressive incident
occurred at the Brooklyn Morgue during the oay
was the appearance Of two women closely connecteo
with the dead burglars. One OF them was dressed n
black, the other, young woman. was atred In gul
dress with a red shawl; her hands were incased In
lavender kid gloves Upon viewing the bodies there
the younger Of the two looked aghast She
trembled and her pale lips betrayed her emotion
She evidently recognized OF the faces There were
many present, and all were awed by the womans emo
tion. She was apparently . woman OF culture. She
bent over the corpse Of Douglass and kissed his lips
She was conducted to chair near py' put
renamed silent for long time. When
she seemed TO have recovered herset she
said to o TRIBUNE reporter. "Yes, know these two
men; one is william Moser and the other Is Joseph
Douglass Mosier Is married man. and his
wife Is worse than he was. ] dont believe that
Douglass had anything to do with the stealing OF
that child Charley Ross Mrs Mosier one night recently
met gentleman of the street cars OF New-YCrk
City and made his acquaintance. The next morning
that man called upon Superintendent Walng ana asked
him to arrest this same woman. alleging as his cause
the belief that she had the stolen Charley Ross with
her."
The woman as II realizing that she had already said
more than proper, looked up. and dropping her
head convuvely her hands refused to speak further
with the reporter. Mr. MCGUIRE. the keeper OF the
Morgue however afterwards informed the reporter that
the woman said 10 him: Inspector Waling can ind
that boy II he wants to; this is job. II they offer
enough money Inspector Walling will produce the boy"
She also said that sho lived in the Eleventh Ward OF
Ney-York but refused to give her name or address,
The woman then left the Morgue with her female
friend. who 1t is sad. is the sisterinaw OF Moser
woman who is said to be tho wife Of James Douglass
appeared before Coroner Jones late in the day and
claimed his BODY The Coroner refused claiming that
he ought hold the bodies in the hope OF getting nfor
nation about the lost child.
During the afternoon John II. Mum, an undertaken
at No Ct Avenue In this CITY, visited the Morgue and
teudered bis assistance in the burial OF Douglass In
queries concerning his acquaintance with the
dead burglars said be had known them both by sight
for years. Tney had lived somewhere In his neighbor-
hood. Douglass he said. he had known since bis boy
hood He was model youth until he went to work
with o man by the name OF Clark. This person
was calker by trade. and employed Douglass
as his apprentice. Tho trade gave him many peculiar
opportunities for appropriatng to his own uso the
portable property slowed In the holds OF vessels upon
which he employed, and he gradually initiated
Douglass into crime. Under the able tuition Of Clark
the boy soon became an adroit sneakthief, and on
parting with his preceptor he engaged exten-
sively aud successfully IN petty hotel robberes.
This mode Of life he led for over q year
before no trapped and convicted His
mother. whom Mr. Mum says q woman Of
unbemished reputation. shocked by this occur
that she died In short time OF broken heart.
When Douglass released he rapidly became moro
daring his Transactions until he Joined with Moser
since when his deeds have been at the very hight Of
desperation. Mr.. Mum said Mosier had been
q criminal all his life. Mosier's father
one Of the principal movers In the gang COM
manded by tho notorious Capt. "Billy" Wood. This
band was known the terror Of the North and East
Rivers" The rendezvous was sabterranean cavern
on the North RIVER short distance above the city, and
their depredatons for long timo numerous and
uninterrupted. President Matse was influential in
breaking up the band few members only Of which
stil living. There two three brothers Of the
dead desperate still living. of whom peddes fsh
aud clans about the streets, while second is boat
builder.