The New York herald., 1878-03-01
A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER.

BURGLARS CAPTURED AT woRK-NARRov
ESCAPE OF POLICE OFFICER
1t was four o'clock in tho morning, and save thu
slowly recurring footsteps OF Oflcer Coughn as he
lclsurely patrollcd his post Carlisle street was
quiet as a churchyard. Suddenly gust OF smoke
burst out Of the junk store OF John McCrory at No.
Is, and in u moment tho policeman was pounding
upon the door with his club 10 awaken the
inmates In few moments McCrory opened
his door, The officer entered and the pair hastenedto
the cellar from which the smoke issuing. They
found that an overturned lamp had set tire to some
old rags which we're slowly burning The work OF OK.
tinguish.ng was speedily over aid the mon set abou,
investigating the OF the hre To their surprise
they found large hoe ia the wall leading TO the cellar
OF the adjoiung liquor store OF rasricK McOormack
1t had only recently been made. az the junkmau
had noticed u the evening previous
wnen he was in the cellar. That burglary
had been committed Was clearly evuent, The officer
raped with his cluo on tho door oi the liquor saloon
ana demanded admittance, but no reply camo Then,
giving the signa call lor assistance, he prepared
batter do " the door. Soon joined by Odlcers
Tyrre Maly and Keely, and It was decided that the
three latter attempt an entrance by way OF the cellar
while the iir5t officer remained IN tho 'front.'
CLOSE QUARTERS.
Five minutes OF battering NY Olicer CoughIin broke
In tho door. simultaneously WITH the hnal Crash no
felt the muzze oI pistol AZ his breast aud neard
sharp eli TX. Az the same time came tue words
hoarsely and emphatically -" Damn you; I'll blow
your Drains outl" The m0mentary respite afforded
the policeman by the faiure OF The pistol TO discharge
saved life. by quick movement he clutcucd the
weapon and drew his own rheu followed desperate
struggle IN the dark which was ended only by NE ar.
rival Of the other officers. The assaant was prompt
ly haadcucd His revolver contained lour cartridges.
Three were found in the store, as Was also
quantity property stolen from the junk store, con.
sisting OF twenly-seven iles one pitchforK. three
shovels. one knife, rifle, one dark lantern, one
piece Of turpauiiu. two maets, pair oil scales aud
articles valued in all ut about $6J. Ar.
tices booty also found in the clothing Of ona
Cl The men.
rne prisoners taken to the Church street sta.
tiou house and yesterday afternoon were arra2ncd
before Judge Murray, ut tne .omus Police Court,
where they were committed in default OF 900 bail
each.
A DESPERATE Ex-PoLICEMAS
The prisoner, who sought to take the lilo OF the
officer. proved 10 be William Harmon, formerly pp-
liceman o. this city who was dismissed from tue
iorce u 10 years ago. His career appears to havc
been a remarkable one. When nrst appointed TO Tho
IN tho Fourth ward For tho first three years ne
proved according TO the records o The department..
excellent officer faithful, vgiant and leariess
Many "Reminiscences OF his vaor In dealing with Ges
peradoes arc still current IN tho police station
lie never faltered the line Of duty aud
moro than placed his life Imminent peril.
After while he grew careless, ceased his vigilance,
became involved In troubles with mis- superiors and
dened them. The result WAS his DISMISSAL On the
force he began that soon made him feared.
The poco say that he Of the most dangerous
men ia the lower wards. He was arrested several
timos ior different crimes and served terms IN tha
Pcnitentiury For several weeks past he has been
sought GU warrant Tor felonious assault, Dut he
escape arrest In Appearance no is strong aud stall
wart aud about thrty-two years OF age.
The remaining prisoners are Edward Enwrights
Andrew Humphreys and Patrick MCCORMACK.
On charge teloniOus assault on the ofhcer Han.
non was held In an additional bond OF $1,000 ALL
United lhe iombs