New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-01-13
LOCAL MISCELLANY.
MURDER ON THE EAST RIVER.

ALLEGED TO HAVE BEEN THROWN IN THE RIVER
AND DRowNED-JOHN KID ACCUSED OF THE
CRIME-HIs DENIAL-PECUIIAR DISCIPLINE on
THE ISLAND.
A singular case was reported to Capt. Rob-
bins Of the Twentythd Precinct Police yesterday, ana
from the developments that have been made 1t is be-
heved that q convict named Louis Gardner was muir
dered Sunday night. Capt Robbins stated to Super
fntendent Wallng yesterday that Monday last the
officials Blackwes Island discovered that Gardner
was missing. He had been sent TO the workhouse and
was employed about the enginehouse His liberty was
not cut of except that he not allowed 10 leave the
island without permission. John Henry Baxter VINO
Keeps boats at the foot Of East Eghysxthst was or
dered by the officials not TO cross 10 the Island again
until he received permission, as they wished
70 cut off all means Of escape until the
mystery concerning Gardner could he cleared up Mrs
Baxter was especially annoyed this cutting of OF their
trade She called their cOOred boatman John Bounty
into the house. and accused him Of having murdered
Gardner. Bounty COMPOUNDED by this accusation
and stammeTed, 81 didn't do ii John Kid drowned the
man." Bounty then told Mrs Baxter that on Sunday
Day night Kid who is employed as fireman at the WORK
house called for boat to come over to the island lie
and man with a wooden leg whom Bounty believed to
be Gardner, taken TO this city. They went up
Eighty sixth-st, and after several hours returned
Chcy had been drinking heavily and were quarreling
In the boat the had scufe. The boat careened
Ind the men were plunged INTO the WdVer' DUN "o"'
town, but Kid came up near the boat and was helped
nto it. A short search made for Gardner, but KID
wanted TO be rOwed the island and the boatman COM
Piled with his wishes. Bounty told Mr.. Baxter that KID
had asked him to say nothing about the case
Mr. Baxter went to the Twenty-third Precinct Police
ttaton at Eigty-seventst and Avenue A. and related
he story Captain Robbins. He reported the case to
Inspector Thorne and they went 10 the orkhouse ar
tested John Kid and took him 10 the Eghtyseyenthst
Police station Bounty also locked up AT the Har-
lem Police Court yesterday, both men were committed
Kid on charge OF murder and Bounty an accessory
10 the crime.
Yesterday each Of the prisoners made statement to
Cant Robbins The two statements differ in several i'm
portant circumstances. BOunty's was as follows;
On Sunday night. Jan Q. 1876. was summoned by
eat went across the river to the wharf the
NOrkhouse and took into my boat John KID fireman,
leg whom / have since learned Louis Gardner.
There was nobody hut these men and rowed them
across the foot OF East EghtysiXiSt They went up
Eighy.sxth-st together. That the last that saw
Of them until at about 10 oclocS on the same night
They came down the bOathOuse and woke me mp by
tapping on the window Of the room where sleIt; l
threw my coat and camo out TO meet them: dhcy
able TO walk straight and could talk All Ilsh IIey St
NV boat ready and took them in that Kid and the
man with wooden leg Louis Gardner After we had gone
o short distance from the float Kid began t. quarrel
with his companion and said to him: "YOu have been
growing ali the way down the street. ana now
%aH tcS K ID hs Se had better lei hm alone Kid kept
on rritSting him. by pulling his leg aud pnching bis
arms. The with tne wooden lee seemed 70 De more
intoxicated than KID. After few moments they had
tcunle and Kid seized the with wooden reg and
upset him the river In the act KID lost his balance
and plunged into the river after his companlon Bot5
men down Kid close to the boat and seized
pulled him into the boat Kill shiycred with the cold,
and af looking for the other man 10 rise IN the wafer
for few moments, rowed Kid across To the island Ma
urged me hard not 10 cay any tng ABOUT tne IloNhins
OF his companion Remember" said he, " that nothing
has occurred Of the usual course" did no speak
of the murder TO any body until on tuesday ns. men
told Mrs Baxter who lives at the loot OF East LShy-
slXth-st, where | live.
Kid made the following statement:
On Sunday Jan. o. left the Island in company with
William ChattcrtOn and LOuis Gardner, both subjects
OF Backwells Island. We were in row-b0at. brought
over to the island by one Bounty, colOred b0atinan
After landing at the foot Of East Eightysixtlst We
went up that street 70 Thirdave We went INTO place
kent hy man named Wallace aud had several drinks.
We then walked down TlirdaYe. two OF three blocks
We came back again fnd went down Last El-hlsiXth-
ION was not with Us reached the foot OF Eighty
saving al won't go back TO the island; aIn going
home He then walked rapidly down Secondave leaving
Gardner and me TO 20 back without linn. had lad no
words whatever VITA Gardner We WS,e on tne ps Oh
Gardner fall overb ard and heard him shout Jack save
me-" All that could see III the darkness vas Ms IceI
living up IN the air Without hcsitating moment
lprang into the river. could not anything OF nm,
tnd ont of the water asked Bounty whether or
he could him. Bounty then told me 10 come Ia
the stern OF the boat, and climbed in. then asked
Bounty what we should do about the matter. He
the DOathOuse and told George Thompson what mad
happened. reported tue case also to Deputy Warden
Patrick Golden on the next morning, Jan. 10.
Capt Robbins called upon Deputy Warden Golden and
also upon George Thompson who takes charge of the
boat on the island said that Kid had not said any
thing them about the disappearance Of Gardner The
police believe that Kid threw Gardner into the river.
The body has not yet been found 1t may still be in the
river and not rise the surface until the weather
comes on.