The New York herald., 1875-07-12
A COWARDLY CRIME.
nurr1As rnrrs TO DnAm YOUNG =

RUFFIAN TRIEs TO DRAIN A YOUNG MAN
WITH BASE BALL BAT AND nSFLIcTs
FRIGHTFUL INJURIES.
John veryoort, residing on Clinton avenue, in
West hoboken whIle on his way home after q
game OF base ball yesterday evening. was dealt
terrihc blow IN the back Of the head with oase
ball bat by John Barret He fell unconscious TO
the ground. His head sw elled 10 nearly vice Its
natural size, ana he threw. up blood ana sunk so
last up TO late hour trat there seemed 10 be DO
possible chance for his recovery. The assassin
ned precplatey toward Hoboken, after deliver
ing MS deadly blow, and was not captured up 70
midnight. The preluie TO this fresh deed OF
blood began several weeks ago on the vacant
lots near The Mountain road between Ino and
Weehawken streets in the township OF West Ho-
boken. where the parties aoove mentioned, in
company with several young acouain tances were
in the habit Of assembling on sunday afternoons
10 play base ball. The young athletics were not
very choice In their expressions. and mad 10 be
driven repeatedly from the grounds. Tuey woud
retire beyond the boundary line into weenawken
or to North Bergen or some other neignborinR
township, however, thus managing to bare the
ponce. quarrel whicn arose between Barrei
ana Vervoort not long ago served to intensity the
profanity ana turbulence OF the crowd recently, 50
much so that Judge Crossman interfered on some
occasions and compelled the play ers TO leave West
HoboKen. Yesterday afternoon, however, the
youths returned to the grounds at the Mountain
road and played ball until about SIX O'CLOCK. The
oid quarrel between Barret and Vervoort was
again dragged up and discussed. and between the
TWO principals angry words were interahaDged.
Nothing lurther was thought or The matter. az
Vervoort. who rs usually a very peaceable 1ndt
viuua'. began TO move toward his residence In
Clinton avenue several dlsinterested persons
happened near AT the time. Barrett, a lad OF pow
erlul build. weighing about lSU pounds, though
only eight cen years OF age, walked at short dis.
tance behind him, with several companions. sud
denly
BARRET WELDED HIS BASE BALL BAT
and Qfa n
WORT. lie stole gradually onward until ne was
within an arms length OF him. Then ne swung
back his club with his two hands as whom about
TO strike q ball. and with all his might struck Yer
WORT with II In the hack OF the head. The latter
convulsively doubled up nls BODY ana 1ell IN
heap with neavy tnud TO the road. crowd
rushed up TO his relief ann during the excitement
through the assemblage ana took TO mis- heels.
From the scene Of rhe bloody occurrence series
OF wooden stairways lead down the hlll slope to
the foot OF the heights at weehawken. Down
these steps the ugitIve dasned and as no one pur-
sued MIN ne mace goon MS escape. Vervoort lay
in spasms upon the road; mis- eyes closed and nls
skull swelling frightfully DR.. Ran was sum.
moned and the sufferer was carried TO the resi-
dence OF his parents. Here everything possible
was done TO amelorate his condition, but itn
feared That no efforts can avail to save his lie.
Conclusion OF the brain was ionnd to nave takes
place. He Is described by those who knew
him as quiet inonenslye man, wh:
bear sucn an enviaDle reputation lie ior
mery belonged TO gang VINO made their
HEADQUARTERS IN the neiguoorhoou OF Eleventh
avenue and Twenty-elghtn street, New YORK, bus
he mas resided for some time in Washington street,
West Hoboken. Much blame attaches to the lack
OF energy displayed by the police or those town.
snips. Owing TO the number OF towns under sepa
rate governments In tnat portion OF the county
division OF responsibility exists among the police
authorities, which does not tend 10 the preserva
tion OF order among the people The lncursoni
OF such rOwdies, AMI the deDredatons of high.
waymen, kidnappels and insulfers OF women
throughout the northern townships may be
traced indirectly To this cause. Last night Justice
Crossman, of West Hoo0ken, came 10 Hoboken 70
keep sharp lookout for Barrett, and TO execute
mis- own warrant by arresting MIN II possible.