The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-11-21
SHOOTING A RIVER THIEF,
A MIDNIGHT TRIGEDr on BROOK
LYN,S WATER FRONT.
Man Mortnily Wounded Drilling In the
storm aud Tide, In the Bottom OF Boat
shielding the Men who Lett Him 20 Die.


A Man MortnIIy Wounded EiiftinG In the
storm aud Tide, In the Bo.tom OF a Boat
-.hirldlug the Men who Lett Him 20 Die.
At o'clock yesterday morning boat
men saw a boat floating with the tide. They
pulled out TO her, and towed her into Pier g.
East river. There they found that the only oc-
cupant Of the boat was an unconscious man,
who was lying nat on his face, having probably
fallen forward from the seat. The bottom OF
the boat was covered with blood. Word WAS
sent to Officer William A. Newell OF the New
street police, and the wounded man was
landed upon the pier aud attended by
physician. He was bleeding profusely, and was
so exhausted by loss Of blood and exposure that
1t was some time before he could be restored to
consciousness Then he told the oflicor that he
was Patrick Padden, OF $50 Water street, aud
that he was shot by some unknown person on
the other side OF the river. lie refused to enter
moro fully into details.
Iu the Chambers street hospital Coroner VOLT
man impanelled Jury and took padden's ante
norton deposition. IL was as follows:
About o'clock this morning was rowing boat,
aiier dcyeflng trunk on Poard tse ship J2hn @ Nam %
Beahans az old slip and South street was pnll
6ecS's or Martinr stores 10 avid the whd and lie
tide, when somebody from The shore shot me- donot
Was sh9t ay in my boat All lig ight cHrosed To- me
not iemem6er how vas taken 10 Picr East riyer
Nv boat was drifting on the river all night was too
married. and live at $50 water street IN this city
Padden was shot in the left breast, and his
wound was considered dangerous although not
necessarily fatal. Soon after he reached the
hospital his wife was admitted to his bedside,
| but he was reticent to her "a he had been to
me- Elem" he said. "Who was With you In the
boatf" asked Mrs, Padden, but this question,
| frequently repeated. he refued to answer. When
the name OF a we-known river thief was mem
toned. he said, - No he wasn't with me - but
In lad
tive VINO heard him to suspect that this man
was Padden's companion. He began search
for him, but up TO late hour last night had
failed to ind him.
On the strength OF Paddens assertion that he
was shot on the other side OF the river, officers
we're sent to Brooklyn, and Capt. Crafts Of the
| York street police caused inquiry to bo made
along the river front as to any noise or disturb
ance; In the afternoon he arrested Cnspar Grote
aud John Linstrom, private watchmen VINO were
employed on the lighter ALBANIA, loaded with
Menila sugar IN mats, that Law at Haroeck's
stores. They said that at 10 o'clock IN the
| morning they heard a row boat approach the
! had prung from the boat 10 the deck OF the
vessel Linstrom asked him what he want
sd .6s the s'rspser SepH want lS
said Linstrom. In turning to 10 back TO his boat
the stranger STOPPED as though about TO seize
a mat of sugar, and Grote fired Ht him. lie did
not suppose that the shot had injured the man
very severely, for he cot over the side Of tho
| ia the boat.
The nignt was stormy. and the boat was soon
! loSt 10 view. ditlDugu from tue una OF tie
| oars the watchmen judged that she was n akng
| Ght for New York. There must have besn
| two men In her besides Paddca. fer they could
| hear double oars working. and the boat made
| good tinio.
In Water street Padden's wife keeps a sailors
| boarding house on "A small scale, and he has fol-
| lowed the river, OF aud on. for some years Al
though no has been arrested more than once.
| no has not been held for trial, and
the oak street police say that he Is not
ariver thief although, like most men Of his class
| he might be led into theft for flyer" On
| Sunday night he drank heavily, and quit his
| home at $50 Prior to that time the boatman,
| to whom reference has been already made,
| called to see him. As Padden went out he told
his wife he would be pack In half an hour. 1t Is
| thought that he WAS Induced by two notorious
| river pirates to 60 with them a thievng ex-
| peditiOn to Brooklyn. and that after no was shot
| they rOwed quickly back to the city, aud then
! turned him sLiift IN the boat.
Padden ~ 81 beurs Of age. and has a wife and
| six children. He WAS Tor many years sailor on
| the Black Ban line, sailing as mate ana boat
| swain. OF late wears he has specuated on tue
| flver, buying "slu.h (tAc grease accumulated
| In the Coz k's gaell or junk. lie was alive last
| night, but no one was permitted o sec him.
| LtudstrOm aud Grote were held In $3.50 and
| $JOO. respectively, to appear NJ the inquest.
| Toward midnight tho physicians said that
| lddden would prOabiy not live until day break.