The New York herald., 1879-03-10
SHOT DEAD.
A Citizen Empties His Revolver Into a
Sneak Thief'S Body.
CAPTURE OF AN AcCoMPLICE.
Tragic Sequel to a Plundering Ex-
pedition in Yorkville.

The enterprsing fraternity of sneak thieves will
view with alarm the tidings of the tragic death of
one or their members last night. who was shot in
the breast and instantly killed white pilfering
gentleman's residence in Yorkville. The companion
Of the luckless sneak thief escaped o simi-
lar fate by begging for mercy and
rendering unconditionally at the muzzle
OF we'll aimed.revolver. The public spirited and
plucky citizen who is the hero OF this signal service
to the community resides ut No. 305 East Eighty
sixth street. His name, which is destined to become
popular II only the strength of this meritorious
action. Is John p. NJ. Richards. q member Of
the firm of John P. Moore's Sons. dealer in fire.
arms. No. 302 Broadway. Mr.. Richards in stature
is below the medium size, with keen eye a deter
mined face and well knit frame. He wears well
trimmed blonde mustache and dresses tastefuly.
He resides at No. 3O5 East Eightysixth street. in
three story brick building. swith his wife and
child. Last evening he was seated In the
sitting room. second floor front. residing. He
occupied for considerable time when
his wife suddenly exclaimed in startled voice.
"Why. what can tnat noise mean p "What noisef"
queried Mr.. Richards. who absorbed in his
book. Mrs. Richards did not reply at once but re-
manned in an attentive attitude waiting for the
currence Of the mysterious noise. Her husband
returned to the perusal OF his book, but was soon
interrupted again by another exclamation from his
wife, In reply to Mr. Richards look of surprise she
expressed herself in positive terms that there
intruders below. ut can't be possible" said Mr.
Richards; ..the door is locked 1t must be the
servants who are making noise on the basement
stairs" Tho explanation. however. did not allay
Mrs. Richards suspicious. and she impressed upon
her husband the necessity of reconnOitering to
certain the cause of the untoward noise. While he
was combating his wife's fears. not willing
of stealthy footsteps. He hesitated no longer.
Going to an adjacent bureau he armed HIM
self with a revolver Cautiously he threaded
banisters. He two men the parlor floor,
near the entrance. bundling up clothes. 1t
was eight O'Clock and the gas was burning in
the entry. lighting up the premises and fully
revealing the movements of Of the intruders; @
MR. Ssnna in ahs National served
him well in this startling emergency. He took IN
the situation with glance and had the plan Of
before the unconscious sneak thieves aware
of his presence. With revolver in hand he
swooRea dOxn thew Sa%na half
he reached the lower landing. At this point of the
proceedings the startled intruders realized their
danger. They in the act Of packing up q
bundle of clothing and in a STOPPING attitude
near a closet. In their alarm they bounded to
their feet one of the men running the front par
ior window and hiding behind the curtains. The
other rushed to the rear window and made desperate
efforts to escape.
MR. RICHARD USES HIS REVOLVER
In doing he kicked at the window and endeav
ored TO burst his way through. In the meantime
Mr. Richards nfeu tufee snOtS at ullu tue tnlTu
charge causing the sneak thief to turn rapidly around
with cry pain IL he had been hit. and face Mr.
Richards. The latter took deliberate aim as he found
he was Wasting his ammunition to little advantage,
and at the fourth discharge shot his man through
the left breast The sneak thief fell to the foor ut
tering dying groan, shot through the lower lobe
Of the left lung. Fearing that the second
man would attack him from behind Mr..
Richards turned on sneak thief No. 2. prepared to
do similar execution that direction. That person
was thoroughly subdued. He showed no disposition
to resist and that terror stricken individual trem-
the giittering barrel >. OF Mr. Richards, re-
volver. "Don't shoot!' he exclaimed; "Il sur
render! I am not armed; IN S 60 . with with YOU"
Richards. .until satisfy myself that you are not
armed" The demand was instantly complied with.
the craven sneak thief being thankful for the
At this moment. while Mr.. Richards
in the act Of satisfying himself that his
surviving prisoner carried no concealed weapons,
two policemen of the Twenty third precinct.
attracted by the discharge OF the revolver. appeared
ut the door. The first object that met their gaze
the body Of the dead burglar prone ut full length in
the hallway Mr. Richards and the captive sneak thief
Concealed from the officers view These officials
concluded that series OF domestic bloody tragedies
had taken place and they halted for second the
doorstep rrcsolute how to proceed to make certain
of capturing the guilty party. 1t was tactly under
stood that of the officers should explore the nte
rior of the dwelling while ,od the other should
escape in that direction. At this juncture voices
IN the parlor attracted their attention. and there
in his right hand his smoking revolver. and in the
other the covering sneak thief was held firmly
pressed by the throat Mr m,e1ards mar IN few S com
live captive at once taken into custody by the
representatives Of the law.
CARRYING OFF THE DEAD.
One of the officers conveyed the intelligence of the
shooting To Captain Robbins, and the latter at
proceeded to the OF the tragedy in company Of
Q squad Of his men carrying stretcher. The body
of the sneak thief conveyed to the station house
and his companion. after his pedigree being taken.
1oft
Denis Dargon, and his residence at No. 1894 Third
avenue. lie caid he was brickaycr by occupation.
In appearance he is not ill-favored. and
dressed in becoming manner He said he was
twonty-four years of age. When an officer was con-
ducting him to CELL he turned to Captain Robbins
and exclaimed with oath. IF only had pistol
at the time, I would have shot that damned fel-
low" meaning Mr.. Richards. When told Of the
death of his companion he expressed his incredulity
q steer" He was assured of the reality of the in
formation but still remained incredulous The name
was twenty -four years of age and lived with
his mother at Ninoty-third street. between
known to the police well known Offend
ers. Casey WAS arrested in the Nineteenth
precinct about six weeks ago for breaking into q
private dwelling and when arraigned ut Court. was
released giving bail to the amount OF $1,000. His
mother went his security His trial is still pending.
TAKING THR MArrKR coor.LY.
Mr. Richards was temporarily confined in Captain
Robin s,privae at the station house. awaiting
the arrival of Coroner Ellinger. When that official
put III an AppcnraIicc anu uIou IinkHH himSeh uc-
quanted with the facts In the he promptly dis
charged Mr.. Richards from custody upon his own
recognizance.
Mr.. Richards, when spoken 10 by a HERALD
porter at the station house, WAS thoroughly col
lcctcd In manner. and did pot appear a IL
his recent had ruIled his temper
or his nerves In tho least. Ho detailed
tho circumstances of the case substantially
as above related. When congratulated his marks
marship he replied that he well trained in the
use the pistol. but having live sneak thieves for
targets was a novelty in its way. you should
be thankful. said Captain Robbins. that Dargon
was not armed, he would have shot
YOU: at least he said was taking him to acell"
II don't think he would have put his threat into