The New York herald., 1878-03-02
A DESPERATE WOMAN.
ARRESTED FOR THEFT, SHE ATTEMPTS TO
SHOOT A DETECTIVE.

ARRESTED FOR THEFT, SHE ATTEMPTS TO
SHOOT DETECTIVE.
At Police Headquarters in Brooklyn, yesterday
afternoon, Detective David Corwin. OF tho Brooklyn
Central Police once narrowly escaped death At tho
hands Of a female prisoner who attempted to shoot
him. The prisoner, who At first gave her name as
Mrs. Fiack, Is German, and speaks English some
what imperfectly.
rhe circumstances that led TO her arrest extend to
February 10, when a gold watch aud cham worth
about $3.50, stolen from the residence OF Mrs
Strong, No 81 Bridge street. On that day, In the
afternoon, a rather stylishiy dressed woman, who
was attlred in black, called at tho house
OF Mr. L. d. shpman ana asked 10
sec family lodging OH the second door. The servant
girl, Ellen Freeman, answered the summons at the
hall door, aud not knowing whether the family IN
Quired about wore az home she showed tho stranger
into parlos unit sho could so up stairs and
tain Tho family asked for not at homo and whsn
the girl returned to tho paro. sno found that tho
strange female had taken nor departure during hor
brici absence IL WINS also discovered that tho jewcry
above named was missing, and the case WAS duly ro-
ported TO tho police Ellen Freeman was enabled 10
give pretty accurate description OF the
thief 70 Detective Corwlu VINO was detailed
WORK up tho case. The following day the
stolen property found at Klickner's pawnbrokers
SHOP on Fulton street. ana inquiry elicted descrip-
ton OF the person who had pledged tho stolen
jewelry which nded with the mann or and ap.
pcarance OF tho woman Tor whom the olicer was IN
search Since that time every pawnbroker In Brook.
yn has been apprsed OF tho occurrence. and la,
been requested TO send word 10 the police should any
such person call at Their shops.
THE WOMAN ARRESTED
About ha-past one O'Clock yesterday afternoon
messenger arrived at Ponce Headquarters cornor of
| Court aud Livingston streets, from the pawn.
| near Court, three blocks distant Mr..
| Heancy wanted detective immediately.
tho shop just AS Mt. heancy, who had purposely de-
iayed tho woman, was paying the amount which She
asked tor on quantity Of earrings, seals, bracelets,
CHAINS ana charms, which she had pawned. rho
woman took departure aud the officer asked
Mr. aeaney II tnat person spoke in broken
| Englsu he informed that sne d, ID. aud leaving
the shop ho followed her down Atlantic street His
obJcct was If possible TO track her TO her home
fore arrostng her Sne had not proceeded far WHOM
| she inquired OF u cartman .the way 10 the South
| Jerry she proceeded down Atlantic street NJ
rapid pace aud was about 10 enter the gateway
when Corwin arrested her AT first she resisted tne
| detective, but hnaily accompanied him TO Police
| Headquarters. On the way she SAID that her nans
| was Mrs Fack. When headquarters was reached the
detective opened the door leading TO the stairs the
| dsteclives' room and tho Superintendents ONCE
| being the second floor OF the building
THE ATTEMPTED SHOOTING.
When about TO ascend the stairs she asked Corwin
"io go up ahead OF her. He told her that he would
On reaching the landing at the head o the stairs no
| let go OF her arm aud turned 10 the right 10
| go into tho Supcrintendonrs room AS no was
| about to turn tho handle OF the door
| his eye suddenly detected the glitter OF o
pistol barrel in the right hand of his prisoner and
quick as thought he sezed her and threw Il up.
ward, thereby doubtless saving his own life. as mad
tho Weapon winch was cooked, been discharged, the
| bullet would have struck HIM in the left breast
| With q sharp exclamation, he asked "what she
meant TO dof" and the prisoner, who was palo and
trembling with excitement, replied that she did not
intend to Kill hm that she moant to shoot horselc
superintendent Campbell questioned her at length -
to aulecedents, but she declined 70 answer any
| questions.
Tue accused Is OF medium height, about thirty years
| OF age has dark hair aud small piercing black eyes.
While IN tho detectives room she wept bitterly and
| tainted twice, or pretended 10 do So In her
pockets were found $l2 in money, several
| silk handkcrchieis aud other articles Sho
| at nrst told tho officer that she resided
at No 527 Fulton street, but Inquiry a. that place
| showed that she not known tncrc. Latcr IN thc
afternoon The prisoner told the detecsivcs that hes
| name Maria Pfeicr, ana gave her residence a.
| No. 1913 Allen street, this city
Tho weapon which Mrs. Pfeicr carried In q small
seven shooter, the barrel being marked "Denance.
Tho prisoner locked up ~ The Washington 0see(
station house await examination.
| Last evening David Brokaw, clerk In the pawn.
brokers oico where tho stolen watch aud cham were
pawned, iuIly identified Mrs.. Phtor the Who
| pledged the property IN question ~ that place.