The New York herald., 1879-02-11
KILLED WITH A MALLET.

AN UNGRATEFUL SCAMP ATTACKS HIS BESE-
FACTOR AND RECEIVES HIS DEATH WOUND
DURING THE AFFRAT.
murder was committed yesterday in the Fourth
precinct. and was concealed from the police until
late in the afternoon when the perpetrator surren-
dered himself at the station. The only peculiar
feature this that father killed in tho
presence of only son who did not interfere and
who subsequently, justified the deed
Jacob Slaight was a homeless wdower, aged ifty-
two years. painter by trade of somewhat irregular
habits and noted for his extremely ba temper. In
last June he became acquainted with Michael Gross.
who had then recently purchased the liquor business
at No 50 Gold street. and did little work for him.
Gross had only been married few months and ia
now but twentyfour years of age. The old man con-
fded to him his loneliness. frequently esu1pIaining
that he had no permanent -'habitation nor
any friends. and made SO much Of an inn
preston that Gross ut length permit
ted him to secupy spare room in
the house in which he lived. No. lis Clinton street.
in consideration of some occasional manual assist
ance. They became very intimate. until the saloon
keeper trusted him implicitly that he would leave
him in charge of his business for day ut time.
The temptations which this freedom and confidence
threw in his way too great for him. and he
going to sleep stretched out upon table at
No. 60 Gold street. would leave the door
wide open from midnight until broad day.
When Gross came down town in the morning he
once or twice found Slaight In that condition and
the money drawer emptied of the whole proceeds of
the sales during the previous twenty-four hours.
Presumably some one had entered and carried of the
unguarded lncre. Remonstrances against such con-
duct would throw Slaght the most frantic rage
alcohol after nocturnal orgy He carried his dissi
night hideous by carousai during the hours of even
ing custom, he welcomed the visits of disreputabe
women after midnight. The patience Of his patron.
Cross became exhausted, and he told him that as
soon he could get money he would have to pay
for his lodging. slaight promised to do better, but
lect some money which he had earned during last
summer He came back to the saloon in riotous
duct. On Sunday he away again all day and
turned to the house hour after midnight. Gross
reused out Of his bed to Let him In and finding him
according to his statement made last evening" Now.
see here, Jake if you don't do better than this you
will have to pack up your trunk and leave: Jacob
| repled:-"what is that you son Of q b-h? I'll get
square with you could kill you. right here!'
| HOW THE FATAL ROW BEGAN.
II took no notice of this said the prisoner when
last night he told story with flushed cheek and in
| tone Of suppressed excitement He is a small man.
| with rather handsome countenance of the Swedish
| type. brown eyes and slight mustache "Oftcn be-
FORE continued he. '.he had made such th!eats
father-in-law When he came into the saloon to-day
I supposed he was all right again and that We
past ten. Hts son was then in the saloon.
| The first thing Jacob did to say to me.
You son OF b. now I've % got & you and You & must
| began throwing ut me the things that were the
counter-pies. sandwiches. plates &c. replied.
jake you had better stop that. What's the matter
| with you anyhow He repeated that either the one
or the other Of must be killed and kept hurting
came out from behind the counter and told him to
stop. He put up his fists and attempted to
strike me. but l warded them Of Then
groin. saying I'll finish you the danger
that in, and seized bung starter which lay on
barrel and hit him. ! did not intend to hurt him.
moment 1 did it was sorry He fell over against
| the stove. 1 sent for doctor and had his wound
dressed, and sent him up to my house in coach. so
that my wife could nurse him. asked the doctors
| advice as to what ought to do. He told me had
better the Coroner. Deputy Coroner Miller told
me to give myself up, and did so as soon as heard
that Slaight was dcad
The story Of the son. John H. Slaight. young
stantaIiy With that Of the homicide He says that
he has for long time been afraid Of his father
account Of his violent temper, which was especially
ungovernable whom he was in hts cups. He had
often suffered from his blows. and for the past few
| months they had not spoken to each other. While
to interfere. but he says that he did not dare to.
for fear of his father He went cut after DR..
| Mitchell and when he returned Slaight had
| lifted the wounded man into o chair and was
| reviving him by the Of whiskey. After he was
taken to the house and until he died he made somo
| remarks which were plentifully sprinkled with
oaths. The son was asked. '.You think. then, that
Gross was justified in killing your fatherY' He
| piled, in an emphatic manner, Eyes. do. In his
! place would have done the thing" Tho
captain reproved this unnatural expression, but the
| only answer of the young man was repetition OF
NECESSARY witness Two other persons who were in
| the saloon at the time Of the occurrence will be
| taken into custody.