The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-07-31
What Prominent Members Of tho Force
Have to Say.
MR.. FRED. NATHANS VIEWS.
History Of the Mysterious Crime
in Twenty third Street.

The investigation now being made by the Legis.
lative committee into the conduct OF the New
York Police Department has been q series OF per-
feet surprises so far as the general public was
concerned. To those having an intimate know
ledge OF the inner workings OF the Department Of
Police during the past few years the revelations
were not startling because the facts now Tor the
nrst time made public were well known and I'M
derstood
10 those who had no adequate conception OF
the corruption and chicanery that have during
the past lew years crept INTO the Police Depart
meat OF this city the revelations made since the
committee began it's Investigations must have
come like thunderclap, Tor the simple reason
that they were wholly unexpected and IN
looked for. But the stern fact remains
that the Department OF Police to which
has been committed the care OF tho
lives and property Of our citizens, mas for some
time been paralyzed and weakened by the crimi-
nal action OF It's leading onicers. This Is no idle
statement for IL is too ptible OF proof to be
con troverted.
bay after day the readers OF the HERALD have
been given statements made by witnesses before
the committee that were astounding in
their nature. Captains OF police were
boldly accused OF having protected pro-
fessional gamblers in the exercise OF their
nefarious business. Other officers OF the Same
important and hitherto honorable rank have
been also described as levying species or
bideous blackmail upon poor creatures VINO
gained livelihood by q life OF shame. Not only
were captains OF police thus charged, but there
were found credible witnesses VINO appeared
and accused certain officers OF that rank or hav-
Ing shared in the spells of that desplcable class
OF criminals known as panel thieves.
Yesterday a new sensation and q now develop
ment was made before the Investigating COM
a nf for
ward and related most marvellous and extraor-
binary story. He exhibited singular talent
for detective work, AMI, If his narrative IS true
one, the department has lost most efficient and
valuable member. He told most interesting
story OF burglary, and his efforts to detect and
arrest the criminal He succeeded in TINS
endeavor after exerting considerable ingenuity
ana patience. But If this witness Is to be believed
the prisoner proved TO be a most valuable one for
the reason that he seemed to furnish an important
and decided link in the chain Of evidence pointing
TO the real murderer OF Mr.. Benjamin Nathan.
The statements made by this witness undoubtedly
create deep impression, and although some OF
the facts stated by him are denied by those he
mentions, still 1t Is quite apparent that we are
on the eve OF developments that may result in
something more important than anything that
has transpired since the committee began Its
sessions.
THE NEW TESTIMONY.
II Is only necessary TO state that during the
Afternoon session of the Legislative Committee on
the Prevention OF Crime yesterday MIR. Sydney II.
Conkn, the witness OF the morning, was recalled,
and it supposed he only to be asked to cor
roborate or amDlily his previous statement. This,
however, was not the case, and his testimony,
published below, forms an interesting and val.
liable chapter In the tragic death of Ben
jamln Nathan. IL is an eloquent commentary on
ha mn M n ha
world,' and shows the dead Jourdan in peculiar
light. In opening ne said that during the year
1870 he was in Captain Davis precinct, situated
on 125th street and Tenth avenue. Here he was
asked by counsel If he had not once obtained
clew as to the murderer OF Benjamin Nathan. lie
answered In the Affirmative, and then was re-
quested 10 go with his narrative. He then
told the following thrilling and dramatic story of
how he had traced almost to o conclusion the So
called mystery:--
d, HUNTING TIE NATHAN MURDERER.
He stated as follows On the morning OF the 2Sth
OF August 1870 L left the station house on dog
watch and relieved the ofcer whose beat was up
Broadway from Manhattan College TO The Ath-
Iete's ned; at parting he told me that the house
pf Mrs. Lord had been broken into and that had
better 60 up and see about the matter; went up
TO the house and saw Mrs. Lord. who showed me
small valse and brace and bit which the burglar
nad left behind him; the servant maid told
me that late on the afternoon OF the
previous day man had called at the house to
lsk aims, and had remained around the premises
for about two hours; this was all the Information
there obtained, except clew which discovered
subsequently.
ON THE TRACK.
noticed In front OF the stoop foot prints in the
soft clay, and also scratches on the marble tiing
pf the hallway; l went back to the station and
reported these facts to Sergeant Fitzgerald, who
Immediately sent me 10 work up this case;
returned TO the house and took up the trail;
followed the footprints through Manhaitanvllle
north to Carmansville, thence east to Macomb's
Dam and lost them at the bridge; crossed the
bridge and again found the tran on the West
chester side. tracked 1t up through Melrosc and
lost 1t again on the hard pavement; at the point
At which | lost the trai! | made inquiries ana
learned from woman who Kept
candy shop that man answering
In every particular the description
given OF the burglar by Mrs. Lords mad had
called at her place and asked for money; mat she
refused, and thereupon ne began to smash her
candy Jars; she told me OF the direction lie took
after leaving her place. | went down TO the Bos-
ton road and again found the trall followed 1t 10
Harlem Bridge; then lost It again; here had to
trust 10 guesswork aud, while wondering what
"a do, walked TO the corner OF 125th street and
third avenue; here imagined saw In q soft
portion "f the sidewalk prints OF the shoe
aalls which | had noticed at the house and
which had aided me IN keeping up the chase; on
chance went over to EIGHTH avenue and there
stood the man, on the cornerin front oftne Adrlatc
Hotel; knew him by his boots; Iaccosied him
md asked him where ne was gong he said 10
Troy, and asked me why mad spoken to him;
old MIN he was wanted at the station house at
HanhattanVlle: he then made a break IN eludo
one, but
DREW A sIx-sHoOTEE on HIM.
and he was persuaded to return; when