The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-07-17
FIFTH AVENUE UNSAFE
Mr.. August Belmont's Groom Pub
licly Assaulted and Robbed.
A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER.
Men May Cry "POlice! PoliceF
but There Are No Police.

The fashionable ana wealthy property owners on
Fifth avenue who are spending the summer season 10
the country in Europe leaving their city residences
locked in fanccd security, may experience some
emotions OF disquietude when they are informed that
Fifth avenue is ircquented by highwaymen VINO, u
the opportunity presented itself, would turn their
hand TO profitable stroke OF burglary 1t VIII reflect
but little credit the police when 1t is known that
private citizen wayiaid, knocked sense
less with slungshot and robbed OF sum
Of money about halt-past ten +. NJ. on the
Sth inst, at Eighteenth street ana Fifth avenue
while the avenue yet crowded with pedestrians
There arc aggravated circumstances connected with
this which give 1t particular importance. The
outrage occurred the SIN inst. as already stated
yet arrests have since been made; the iootpaus
unknown 10 the authorities, and no Official notin-
cation telegraphed to Police Headquarters. In
iact tho police, particularly those OF the Twenty
ninth precinct, where the outrage took place, know
comparatively little ON the subject.
TnE EXPOSURE AND ASSAULT.
Edward Feakes, twenty -one years OF age, groom
the employ OF MIR. August Belmont, banker started
from Babylon. L. L., the country residence OF Mr.
Belmont, on Monday morning, the Sth inst with
colt which ne was TO take to England The following
day. As II was feared the colt might prove unman-
ageabe its way to the city the dam was seat along
also, and was led by another groom Of Mr. Belmont
The two men arrived IN the city In the course
OF the afternoon. Feakes went down town nnd
secured HIS passage tickle. and exchanged Ameri-
eau currency Tor twelve British soversigns He re-
turned to Mr.. Belmonts stables az the northeast
corner Eighteenth street and Fifth avenue, In tho
evening He ted the colt and after partaking OF bis
own supper he sauntcret Tor the evening. On
his way home about 10 O'Clock p. NJ, he met
friend on sixth avenue They went INTO lager beer
saloon at No. 107 East Twenty-sxth street. kept by
man named Johnson, but which is known by the
name of .sCurley's" saloon. The police say that the
place has bad reputation, that 1t Is resort for
some Of the worst classes on tho west side Whom
paying for the drinks Feakes incautiously displayed
a number OF gold sovereigps. Several men were
sitting around drinking beer at the time. Feakes aud
his friend separated on the corner of Sixth avenue
the former taking his way toward Mr.. Relmonts
atabes where he was to sleep during tho night He
lowed him, but as they Kept at re-.
spectlul distance he was NOT particularly
avenue directly opposite Mr.. Beimont's residence,
the t~o strange looking men caught up with him.
barred his progress on the sidewalk. One OF the men
accostsd FeakeE In an insulting manner, and io-
with his lis, on the face. FeaEes knocked down,
but quickly reRained his feet. In the course of the
sun fought with despera,'on. He grapplcd with the
powerful Of his assaiiants, and tore the coat
from tho iootpad's back. TIE contest, however
efforts to keep his assailants ut bay, Feakes
wa. Knocked sensosss By The w,! blow Of q
on the ground bleeding from u deep gash in the
face his assailanls robbed him OF tho twelve
British soveregns aud 50 In American currency.
They n,crfere with his passage ticket, which
was the same pocket Win the money they pur-
ioined Feakes was stunned for a mo ment AN he
revived consciousness while the hghwaymen were
robbing him Of MIS- money. Tho thieves then ran
across Fifth avenue and were pursued by Feakes.
ssvfNE tiny n
Al this juncturc as Feakes subsequently alleged at
tho hospital, police officer appeared. Feake:
demanded his arrest. The olncer, us stated,
refused TO interfere Feakes then took hold
roboer again struck Fsakes a powerful blow 10 tho
lace in tho presence OF the officer, and ran away.
The olhcer IN the meantime made no enort 70 capture
several WOUNDS IN the lace and head, retrAced his
steps In direction OF Mr.. Benont's house, when
no fell 10 the ground hsensi0le humber oi citi-
x.Hs witnessed the tight but they held aiooi thinking
tnat II was ordinary street brawi, not caring 10
Interfere Tor then they ghl have to appear ut court
as Witnesses When Feakes tell insensibs TO the
sidewalk one out oil the curious crowd that
ealnered about him attempted 10 render him
in "a crowded thoroughfare, the oDject OF pity but
so com passionate rs 10 lend him helping hand
Al lust cisizcns attracted by the crowd who
surrounded the wounded man. Their names are David
Twoney, oil No 10 wcst Third street, and Il. 4. Eber
hard oi No. 1873 Clinton street. They requested tho
spectators fall back and give the UNCONSCIOUS man
air aud SO afford him opportunity to revive Mr..
eraDle delay he found GU Fifteenth street, near
Broadway He ,od him tnat man who had
C osse SAa ON tho Sidewalk in Filth ave-
nue. and requested the officer 10 come to the
wounded mans assistance but that Official CURLY de-
ciined gong, giving as reason that II was oil his
post Mr.. EDcrnard then returned 10 whero tho in-
jured man wassti lying on the sidewalk Water was
procured IRON neignb0ring house and the blood
washed from Feakes' lace. THIS seemed 10 revive
SEVERELY INJURED.
A. mn fHcar be- 4
on the sidewalk Tor ABOUT forty minutes Mr. Twobcy
and Mr. Eoerhard carried the injured man to the New
York Hospital, where hrs wounds were dressed
| by Or. Kahn. He soon rega,ned conscousncss
sufficient detail the circumstances OF his assault
he was suffering IRON severe confused wounds on the
| head and lace. Tho wound on his temple WAS the
worst OF all, and Il was feared that might OCCASION
him ornament trouble. The wounded mans peuigree
taken, which states that he IL native Of England
ana that has rcsucd tor seven years In tins couu-
| Try. lie was groom and jockey IN The employ OF Mr..
Belmont lie was com nilssioncd to bring tue colt TO
l. ndou England, us present 10 Lord Rosebery from
| Mr.. BclmoaL Fcakes nad on his person letter
| from hts master to Lord RoseUery He WINS
| most ANXIOUS 10 tic sunccntly recovered to take
MS departure oo the following day, Tuesday.
Doctor kaun tried III pcrsu ,de MN to post
pouc hrs trip TO tue OLE Country, bu, he was resoute
| In his determination. Al eight O'Clock on Tuesday
| morning Feakes, Ia company with the other grosm
who mad accompanied nun ~ the city from BABY Ion
| lott tno hospital They went to Mr.. Beimonps resi-
dence. aud IRON thence, IN the afternoon Feskes
drove IN carriage TO the steamer Wisconsin and set
sail tor England with u badly damaged head and q
| slim pocgetbook
| In the meantime, 'nfougn some sent oHictai anu
| roundabout way Captain Williams, OF the twenty
ninth precinct was iulo formed OF the trouble Inc
rumor received connrnAi ion later ia tho day when
Mr. smith, clerk vi tue Now YORK Hospital. forwarded
| 10 Captain Williams tue hat and coat belonging 10
| Feakesi asssiianL These portions OF the highway
| mans clothing we're torn from has person In The
course Of the struggle
kfkKSAL VIGILANCE
| Wishing to ascertain how mucn Captain Williams
and his officers knes about this cnse OF assault aud
highway robbery on tho leading avenue OF the CITY
| reporter Of the HERALD called at the twenty ninth
| ure \
| lace was nj the desk. lilo mad hoard vi the occu.-
renee. he said. Sergeant Heating had investigated
the case, but had no particulars The reporter should
see Sergeant Kcating al SIX r N. Tie reporter re.
quested TO DO Informed u report OF the assault and
robbery had been made by the officer on post, and,
40 WAS Il en- cred ON the plotter. there Try
h,.,,a. nm... p,r.,.. s,.,.d an an tnfnrn n, Al