New-York tribune., 1875-08-23
MURDER OF A THIEF BY HIS VICTIM.


THE KILLING OF JAMES LANGDoN-PCR>Ui1 AND
ESCAPE OF THE AssAssiN-sHOOT1NG OF TWO
MEN BY DFTJ GIVE DENIsOS IN HE SEARCH
FOR THE MURDERER.
A murder occurred on Saturday afternoon in
the Sixteenth Ward whereby James Langdon age ~
years. OF No 45O West Sixteenhs lost his life at the
hands of a yet unknown to the police. Langdon
was connected with gang of young men OF desperate
character well known and dreaded in the neighborhood
Soon after noon Saturday he standing at Ninth
ave- and Fourtoenh-st. with Timothy Connors, alias
"Tickey," ex-eonyic 25 years, of No 433 West
Sixteenthst. and Charles Curran, alias 1.-THE f0g, age
years. of No. SO Tenthave, endeavOrng TO negotiate
for the disposition OF watch and chain which !angdon
and Curran admitted that they had stolen from
while asleep. Langdon also told ConnOrs that when they
were taking the watch and chain the sleepy man aroused
himself long enough look at the thieves and then fen
asleep again.
Connors was about to take the watch and chain for the
purpose of selling Them when Blceckcrst car stopped
the and genemanly looking young man sud
denly dashed between tho and seizng ConnOIs by the
collar sad want you" ConnOrs, fancyine he was in
the hands Of the police, made resistance and was
dragged to the rear platform Of the car. where the
stranger looked at him carefully and then saying that he
was mistaken he let Connors 60 The stranger dashed
after the Others who had separated, Cran going down
Hudson-st., while Langdon up Ninhave. and took
refuge Van Horn d Co.'S lumbeT-yard which occupies
the block between Fourteenth and Fiftecnth-sts,
along Nnth-ave. The stranger followed Langdon, who
went through the gate of the lumberyard on Nntlave.
nearest Fifteenthst and passing behind the Office at
tempted TO hide himself beweentwo piles Of lumber near
the FOurteenthst. side OF the yard His pursueT
however so close behind him that Langdon did not
ceed in concealng hnsef before he caught At this
time Joseph Mooney of No. Gs Gansevoortst, Messrs
Van Horn & Co.'S teamscr, who feeding his horse in
the yard, heard shot Mooney went toward the spot
and found LangdOn dying on the ground between the
piles Of lumber having been shot through the heart and
the stranger standing Mooney accused the latter
of shooting angdOn and received angry reply that
LangdOn had stolen the strangers watch Mooney then
prappled with the murderer who shook himself loose
and presenting revolver at Mooney rushed out Of the
wicket gate by which he had entered.
He rushed along Ninthave. TO Fourteenh-st thence
toward the North River stopping and turning into the
marble yard the north side Of Foureenth-st, short
distance below the end Of the lumberyard. BY this
route the murderer expected 10 reach Fcenth-st and
escape the crowd who pursuing him. Officer
Riley OF the Ninth Precinct was on duty in Thirteenth
st. and, hearing the shouts rushed along Ninthave,
reaching Foureenthst the murderer turned into
marbeyard. Following the advice Of the crowd, the
officer continued to and down Fifteenthst. IN the
hope of heading of the murderer; but the latter
had taken alarm, and, doubling his track,
he went through the crowd OF pursuers, crossed
Fourteenthst., and passing through some open lots
on the south side Of the street gained Thrteens by
climbing a high fence nearer the Tenthave. As he
leaped the fence o team away toward the North
River along Thirteenth-st., and, while the murderer
crossed Thteents and concealed himself In the mar
tbinnS 9g in m their Excitement that i must be thee
Through this mscbance the murderer lost sight Of
and although young answering his description TO
some extent half running the direction the
Christopher Street Ferry IT not at all certain that he
went in that direction.
The sixteentlst police, as soon they heard OF the
murder which w.. WAS at about mi p % tried to obj obtain
who knew Langdon said that 1t served him right and
fused 10 give information by which the police could
trace the murderer All the stories that were told
conflicting, and the only description OF the man which is
supposed 20 be any way near correct was given by
Mooney late the afternoon long after the murderer
lad had leave the city He is supposed to have
been about 20 years ed nye feet seven inches al with
fair eompo Iion, dark hair and mustache, and wore
dark mixed coat and trousers. white vest, white straw
hat with wide black band white shirt, and black neck
tie. As this description was obtained II was
sent out on general alarm, and two OF the Central
ofle detectives detailed to aid the ward detectives
In finding murderer They arrested CoDnorr at about
station He has been detained by order of the Coroner
until after the inquest shall have been held LaDgdons
body was taken 10 the Police Station where pecu
aily shaped silver cain was FOUND In his possession
When the chain shown to COnnors he recognized it
as the one LaDgdOn and Curran had shown hin at the
time when they said that they had stolen H. COnnOrs
could net say what had become N the watch.
Several officers went In search OF Crran Saturday
night and officer George Denson OF the Secret Service
squad visited Patrick Dunngans lauorstore at No %
Tenth ave. in citizens clothes, as he had been informed
thai Curran was expected 10 he there, Between mid
night and M yesterday, ofhcer Dennlson again yH
ed Dunngan and was met ~ Michael Ganney OF NS
West sixteenthtt. both OF whom assaulted him Den
nsOn told them TO keep away from hun. but Carney
again attempt 70 close with the Ocer when the
latter fired and struck Ganey In the breast, nflctDR
painful but not necessarily dangcfOus wound. Harmon
Then again advanced the Oiccr who nred second
SHOT winch passed through the Sesh o HanDon's left