The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-08-17
SHOT DOWN IN HER HOUSE.
4 STRfNGE STORY or Az iSSfSSIN'S
MAD WORk ~ NEW BRTGJfTON
The sight that Terrified Mrs Inngford mud
her Slater In Hamilton Park John Dcmp-
sey's Narrow Escape from being ISnchcd.

hcth from bttnH lNnthed.
The inhabitants Of the peaceful village Of
Now Brighton. Staten Island. and particularly
that beautiful portion Of it known rs Hamilton
Park. were terribly excited on Thursday even
ing by the news that an armed assassin had
shot at several persons in the streets. and had
dangerously wounded Mrs. Frank Langford
by shooting through tho open door while shc
sat with lrcr sister and son in the basement OF
her homo in the Park
Hamilton Park comprises twcnty-six elegant
suburban villas. covering about twenty -four
acres OF wooded and hilly land within short
distance Of New Brighton landing These
houses nrc mostly occupied 10y wcll-to-do mcr-
chants. The place WINS formerly owned by G.. X
Hamilton. who hns been twenty years In build
ing II up. The recent rapid decline in real cs-
tate however brought him into financial
trouble, aud about year ago. under mort
gagc sale 1t fell into the hands Of
the NV York Life Insurance Com
pany. whose agent Mr.. Hanks. placed Frank
Langford in charge Of ono of the unoccupicd
houses for the purpose Of protecting the prop
orty. Langiord was an honest industrious
hard working man. n painter by trade. who
formerly kept a hotel at bedford. l.. l.. but lost
money there. AMI was glad to save his rent by
taking caro- Of the house. His family consisted
OF his wie-thc woman who WAS shetland two
boys aged respectively II and 1G. At the time
Of the shooting Mrs Iangford's sisterin-law.
Mrs. Edward Boncd WAS sitting with her in
the basement. which was the portion of the
house which the family occupied.
Mrs. Langforl sat with her back to the door,
md her sistcr-in-aw sat beside her ut about
So on Thursday night. suddenly they heard
the click Of the hammer o. n pistol Looking
up Mrs Boncld and the boy, Edward Tnngford.
t.
and pecring through the door at them His
arm was extended and pointing pistol at Mrs.
Langiord Twice the pistol missrd fire,
but the third time il exploded. and the
hnll-a small one from u seven shooter
entered MR.. Iangford's back below the shout
ger blade and Going Gomploi.ly inr,'uSh h f,l,
Shouted and Mrs. Boncd cndcavorcd 10 draw
Mrs. Langiord into rec'ss whilc the ns-nssin
snapped his pistol again this time aiming ~
Mr.. Ponold. But the pistol missed nrc again
ana then the man ran on and was soon lost
from sight in thu shalow- of the Park trees.
Tho cries of the airriehicd women aul the
hoy soon aroused tho neighhors. and the story
oi The shooting -nrcnd Ike wildire through the
Rtemucran"r meeting gs tll" door was burst
opcn aud a man rushed in. shouting
shooting people in tho street. AMI Mrs. Lang
people ruehod 10 the Plrk. wl'cro throng was
soon collected, aud. armed with variety Of
w'apon-. ~Tah s'ouilnS, Hc woods ior
y" culprit II WIS soon known tW Jonn
Dempsey had done tn" shooting for both the
hoy and Nli- Bohold hal fully recognized HIM
learned that Dempsey had boon shooting. at
others. II h9s Neen shiitiess scr, % q
fellow In New Brighton. occasionally addicted
TO drink. Lately he has promised reform. and
has done something 10 support HIS family.
a wife and three children. Mr.. Hanks per
mitted him 10 occupy one 81 the stables
in the Park which he hal fitted IN as "a dw"ll-
ing This Pine VA GnE iST Icy iTsm ne
THURSDAY night D"mpSry was seen in Hilly"r
4 Hardy store loo New brighton. where he
anil cmiti, "a ir.m Tic chambers some exI' .iri
! .nirid g.-. IA"n nt uhoW q ~ =. p"!lrk. ~
! Patrick flil'n. who know Dempsey w'Il WAS
| gn his way home from hi- work. gong IN the
| direction 20 Hamilton PARK. bee heard a. bullet
| Soy 100 tAc n'' 81 rising from ,h" ground. FMion
wn,.,.y.n., .,re,.>,
Dempsey ram ~ and Ran o has him dnwn
=, the village. and tried o. ~ Onirct Eocmorto
arrest him. u' The uni'cr Told hlm Ice must ~
ey"mms. and th.n Faion ww|nt ~ Il get thc
warrant, saving hc was sure Dempsey wa- the
man. und that Dee had never bad any trouble
! with him. Dempsey wont into the BARRIERS
/ shop nud paid tci '"nt~ be- owed and th"rr on"
| " th" carrle. wa~ tuScn out Of his box. Il
Sanc Eial as ,ht With which Mrs. Lang
/ ford w. ID I, Tior Dempsey went toward
/ Mo wer. - mr',rli.n@i uy so.ing he r.-.
/ Dempsey ran over 90 th' Park. ami The boys
| heard lhr r.lur q l.7i',. This Was the boys
/ Onlucr- Shr,hnn aud Eoemer went 90 Shrri-
/ dam = ~ o. -tOig When" They i1uui l"luI-"N
! r'a,ng aris. ii, pretended L. he taken h>
" What do You Wlr'''
Il want y'u = oiothc PARK. said tAe q vr
! Al righ'. Will - where you Ike. said
! DEMPSEY on The way hi- pistol wa- TAX N
! rom him. ~ soon az hcwas tnkrn T., the home
Of %" Lnnslord- the ho> recognized him and
aThar- me man not -ho, my m,'bor."