The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-10-12
A YOUTHFUL DESPERATE.


HIS ALLEGED AssAILANT--rwo ATTEMPTS TO
EscArE-IHE PRISONER McABE HELD FOR
HIGHWAY ROBBERY AND ATTEMPTED MURDER.
young man of eighteen was arraisned before
Justice Smith. at the Fifty-seventh Street Police
Court, yesterday. charges which would put
many an old malefaetor to the blush. Highway
robbery and assault with intent to kill, were the
offences he had to answer for. and behind these
was record which burglary and kindred
crimes were scored. Never appearances more
deceptive than in tho prisoners case boyish
face. frank and handsome. blue eyes in keeping
with IT and crisp brown hair covering head shapey
and inteliigent-al seemed to mark their owner for
far different career than that he shown to have
embarked in. Tho youths name is James Mccabe,
although sometimes he IL known as Thomas. and his
place of residence is at No. 2l0 Mulberry street
Yesterday the complainant against him was Jacob
Graft tho tenor. who formerly sang with Max stra-
kosch's company in opera at the Academy of
Music. and of late has occupied the chief
place in the choir of the Church of the Holy
Spirit. He had narrowly escaped death at
tho hands OF this youthful and comely pris-
oner and bore marks of his meeting with him which
he must to the grave. Tho singers story is
curious one On May 2s he occupying apart
ments at No. 342 Third avenue. and that evening
he on his way home when young man accosted
him the corner OF Eighth street and broadway to
inquire the time. Graf told him. and proceeding
on his way. was Joined by the youth. who
engaged him in conversation. He seemed to
be a bright. intelligent young fellow and
the pair became deeply interested in their talk
that when they had reached the corner OF Third
avenue and Twenty fifth street. where Graf had in
tended to leave his friend, they still kept on
and passed down toward the unfreauented and dis
p,alr nv Vnfhn II elU
beyond First avenue. IL is . dreary place there.
even by daylight when the old foundries and work
shops full of life, But at night, when the whole
place is shrouded in darkness flor there are no gas
lights there and big grotesque figures III wood and
iron the junk OF the foundres rise up before one
ut every STEP the quarter ID by no means inviting to
promenaders
ATTACK KEEPING WITH THE SCENE.
The thought OF harm in an innocent looking boy
of eighteen, however, never crossed the tenors
mind, and the first intination he had Of having
strayed into trap from the young him
self. who. he alleges, exclaimed:-
''You are far richer than l. and. by God I'll have
that watch
almost in tho tenors face and the trigger pulled:
The bullet struck Mr.. Graft tul in the throat and
scousness. though, and when he felt his assail-
ant tugging at his watch chain no strug;
his his feet. although the aow of blood was almost
choking him. He tried to gather his senses. tor he
quite dizzy; but as he reeled forward the
volver was levelled ut him again. Then came the
quick. sharp report, hardly loud enough to reach
the nearest tenement and ball cut through his
right cheek and ncked the bone behind the LETT car.
1t had passed fairly through his head. and now
thoroughly overcome he sank to the ground half
lifeless. The robber would not trust 10 his
slim chances Of recovery this tiine aud standing
over him discharged two shots ut the PROSTATE
figure One flew wide of the mark. The other pen
etrated the back of the neck and lodged among the
muscles. Then kneeling upon his victim, whose
sense Of feeling had not deserted him evop yet the
I'M ns s pulled s ons ms r Victims Sa,
the tenor lay there unconscious When he recovered
it was near midnight. and he raised q feeble
cutlery that brought by-passer to his side. The
man, discovering his desperate condition, told
Officer Hardy that man was dying there in the
dark. and they sent for an ambulance ON which
deied the skill of the surgeons for many day. aud
his life was utterly despaired Of. when he suddenly
began to rally. His convalescence was short. and
he out again. To Detective Thomas w.
Mnlry. Of the Eighteenth precinct. who was de-
tailed to work up the case. he furnished descrip-
ton OF his watch. 1t was peculiar one and in
deed could not possibly escape Identification. On
the Sy naS iSs Of he
member and it bore an inscription to that effect
which could not readily be erased.
Tho detective could get no trace Of 1t. though he
hunted high aud low, SO he fell to comparing the
robbers dress and features with those OF other dan
gerous characters he had known. Among the people
who came into his mind was McCabe. who had once
infested the corner OF Second avenue and Twenty
third street with certain othor young mon, aud
tho detective himself had discovered him.
tied some Of his haunts but nowhere could
he get upon his track. From the night of the rob-
berry and attempted murder not soul had laid eyes
on him. Satisfied that he had located the offender
and assured. too, that like others of his class.
McCabe could not stay away from the city long. but
ton 1t has for criminals Mulry made up his mind to
bide his time. and with Captain Clinchy kept al eye
for the fugitive.
On Friday night he was rewarded. At tho corner
OF Twenty third street and Second avenue the detec
tive camo face to face with McCabe worry much
la
intimates. Mulry quickly laid hold of him. and
hurried him away to the Eighteenth precinct police
ba the he %ss D Rsn
and he kept his tongue guarded iester-
day he was to be produced in n, Court.
dreaming that this STRIPPING of eighteen would try
to outmanDuvre an old veteran like himself. He
was deceived though. At Forty seventh street Nc
Cabe startled him BY q sudden exclamation and the
next moment he had reached tho platform. sprang
of the car and was running Tor the river like
deer Mulry was after him IN mo-
ment; but. big and bury lie Is. he
could not keep pace with the feet footed
fugitive. As they nearcd First avenue tho detective
drew his pistol and called upon the runaway to stop
for his life He gave no reply, and the next moment
a bullet flew over his head rhe report had the de.
sired effect McCabc waverud and then came to
dead stop with both hands high above his head.
When the detective came up with him no pocketed
his pistol and marched him of to the Fifty
Street Police Court
A STRUGGLE WITH HEAVY WEIGHTS.
McCabe went along ike a lamb but hs had no idea
of giving up his determination to escape. On the
very stops OF the court house no made his last
fort and considering his relative strength with that
OF his captor. it was u singuarly successful one.
Just they entered the gate tho detective found
himself caught in q hip-lock, and the next
moment he hurled against the ratings. He had
caught hold OF the prisoner. butcoud not dsengage
himself and obliged to call for assistance.
Counsellor Nesbit and publican McManus were close
ut hand and the pair swoopcd down upon McCabe.
But even then he struggled madly to free himself.
and 1t gave tho tro--every soul q 3OO-pounder--
ample work to get the young spithre under control.
Justice Smith tho bench when Mcl,abc
arragncd Herr Graf rccounted the details of his
robbery and tho desperate effort that had boon made
upon his life. and Detective Mulry FURNISHED ac-
count of the prisoners Ill conduct in the past. not
emitting the exploits OF the day. Az for tho youth
himself he denied the assault upon Graf while adj
uniting that he had once been convicted of burglary.
On tho two complaints-ono OF attempt to xiii aud
tho other of highway robbery-McCahe commit
ted by the magistrate for trin in default OF $4,000
bail
MlRRliLrv Ann NEiVuS