The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-08-23
Startling Narrative of Robbery Ind
Attempted Murder.
A NAN ADRIFT IN THE SOUND AT MlDNIOV.
lie is First Robbed and Then Thrown from the d
Of New Haven Steamer
NO CLEW TO THE RUFFIANS

Haven who was picked up about O'Clock A. M,yes.
terday while battling for life in the waters OF the
Sound about mile to the southwark of Sands Pint
Yesterday morning he presented himself at the lor-
risania police station and made very remarkable
statement and subsequently HERALD reporter inr-
viewed him aud obtained the following statement:-
My name IS Carl Ludwig Burk. am cabinetmasr
by occupation and reside IN New Haven. l came
New York by Sunday nights steamer for the purpo
of max ing some purchases in my line Of business, an
also to see my lawyer in relation to patent abou
which have had some trouble called on thu
lawyer during the afternoon OF Monday, ana
aerward went to the house of Bruce 4
Daniels, No. 2O2 Centre street, and purchased
a bill of goods 1t about six O'Clock when lett
there. then went to the house Of friend OF mlne,
William Miller who keeps saloon at No. 90 Chrystie
street. He old friend of mine, who formerly
sided in New Haven, ana passed the evening to-
gethcr | drank a few glasses OF lager with him ant
remained until about quarter past ten O'Clock. an
stranger in this city, and not knowing the way b
kindly volunteered put me in the l arrived a
the steamboat pier, at the foot OF Peck
slip at quarter of eleven, and went on
board The steamboat started at eleven O'Clock.
There pleasant breeze blowing. and went upon
the promenade deck and took seat the right hand
side, well forward and close to the rail- sat there
rejecting on my business aud half asleep, when
large-slzed, stout man, with mutton chop whiskers,
took seat near aud began very interesting
versaton As passed BlacEwclls Island he pointed
IL out to me, and told its history and uses and also
told ali about Hell Gate and the explosion which is
to take place there shortly The conversation finally died
out ana than half asleep, when suddenly the
stranger jumped up. and, placing his hand on my head,
forced me half over the rail- At the same time another
from the other side Of the deck and grasped
feet While IN this position they rifed me of what
money and papers had in my possession. resisted
with all my strength, and during the struggle caught
hold OF the whskers OF the man who had first attacked
me. and think must have scratched his face or left
some mark upon him After they had emptied my
pockets, holding me by my head and feet,
they swung me. over the rail into the water
could SEE the lights shore, and alternately swan
and Heated, continually shouting for help until at
last, almost up nope, and began to think OF my
wife and children home aud the eternity into which
was about to In despair, was engaged
IN praying for myself and Tor the welfare Of poor
wife and children when heard call in response 10
haused and was continually swallowing large do es
Of salt water, but with determined will
hear the men calling to me- and responded as loudly
could in my feeble state II seemed to me they were
reached me- and but moments more IL would have
been all over with me- was nall unconscious when
the aid OF hs companions, dragged me into the boat.
They rowed me some distance ana took board
OF schooner, which ! have since learned
Tor Poushkeepsic n Y. They took good
care OF me on board tho vessel and early tins morning
we landed at Port Norris when was gwen in charge
Of Captain Helicn, Of the Morrisana police station
there told what had happened to me, but made mis-
take in the OF the steamer, which thought
the Elm City. left New Haven on her on Sunday
right, and thought she would most likely return
Monday evening There was a lantern hanging at this
OF vessel but they facing most Of
the time could not see their faces distinctly There
were no other passengers besides ourselves on ina
The time. erred loudly for help the moment
was attacked, but seemed TO hear me- The
whole assault and throwing overheard did occupy
more than minute. AS as came to tho surface
again cried Tor help but the rollers from the
covered several times and in short time she
well out OF hearing had no idea Of my position, and
| expert swimmer lay on my back and
fcaed, trusting to the tide TO carry toward sborc
must have been IN the water altogether fully hour
and my feelings during that time terrible.
IL was dark when went to the pier and did not
notice the difference but lind that IL was tho
Continental another steamer OF tho Same line,
which left. had with me about IS in money and q
large pockctbook containing papers OF particular
value All the papers relating to my rights patent
about which am at present engaged in law suit
left with my attorney in New York. Had lost them
! would certainly have lost my case. |
not attribute the assault to any particular
cause, but 1t rs barely possible IT intended take
away from me the papers which l was supposed ia
have with me. 1t was about hafpast O'Clock as
near as remember, when ! rescued from the
water and as / was fully IN hour in this perous stu.
alton, IL have been about halt past twelve when
was thrown from the vessel l would certainly have
been lost, but. fortunately for me, swimming was a
part OF my former profession. was soldier In the
frnssan army and a swimming MASTER It
was my business to teach The art aud | have
swum the river spree with my muskct and knapsack
could easily keep on the surface Tor or Jour
hours, but with my heavy boots and wet clothes was
myself while IN the water but my clothes chung to me-
and the water tighlened my boots that was
unable to take them OIL was perfectly clear my
understanding the time of the occurrence the few
glasses OF beer which had taken having had no effect
upon me whatever IL is unreasonable to suppose
that was intoxicated at the tire, for could
retained the cool self possesson while in water "a
which partially owe my lie.
THg MATHS STORY.
Edward Hanlon, the mate of the schooner, who wai
watch at the time heard the of n man comiuq
from the water; lanterns were brought and careiu
"A han lam cd and uftnv
rowing around for some tirne man discovered
swimming toward il; he taken in the boat and put
on board the schooner he was taken ashore at Port
Morris aud handed over To Captain Hedden, OF tho
Twenty third precinct He was sent to tho Central
once, in charge OF Roundsman Platt where he told
his story TO superintendent walnng. The case was
given into the hands OF detective Hey for investigation
CRIMINALS
The reporter accompanied detective and Burk to
the steamboat. which, In the meantime had returned
from New Haven and was lying at the OF Peck slip
AL! the hands employed on board the steamboat were
brought face To lace with Burk, but he could hot
identify any OF them. Neither the officers nor men re-
membered having seen l'nrk, nor any persons az
he described as his assaiauts After closely question:
ing the captain and officers the detective falling TO md
any cew upon which to work, visited tho house OF
William Miller, IN chrysie street, where Burk
had spent the previous evening The mans
the day BY ey the
hoIse Of Bruce n Daniels Burk told him no had been
buying goods, ana found his story to be entirely
rect Burk told the firm his adventure and
asked them for money with which to get home
They gave him what he asked for, and
clued. His story OF the lawsuit about a patent
also confirmed by Mr.. Matthew Daley. his attorney
in the The victim of the outrage rs a man Of
middle height. about iorty years OF of stout
muscular stature lie could easily hold his own
against two Of ordinary strength, and the two
ruilians who robbed and attempted TO murder him mus
have been powerful men.
AT POLICE HEADQUARTERS
Burk was brought before Superintendent WaIlinc
al the Central Office yesterday, afternoon and closely
questioned in regard TO the robbery and attempted
murder. Hc spoke English poorly but expressed
himself nucntly and encrgcticalIy in German leaving
no doubt by ms manner but that he spoke The truth
In stature Burk is over six feet high with mass,vo
frame and strong limbs HIS age is forty.
one years lie vehcmcntly denied bcin.
under The influence oil liquor the time OF tho
robbery saying that he had taken but cw glasses OF
beer during the night
AMERICAN BEEF FOR EUROPE.