The New York herald., 1879-02-03
AN HEIR, YET A vAGRANT.
A YOUNG GERMAN CHEMIST GIVES HIMSELF UP

A YOUNG GERMAN CHEMIST GIVES HIMSELF UP
AS A vAGIANT TO OBTAIN SHELTER
John Peterson, thirty mine years of age native of
Germany arraigned before Justice Kilbreth in
the Essex Market Police Court by Officer Balger of
the Tenth precinct a charge of break ing the glass
in street lamp the corner of Eldridge and Grand
streets The prisoner delicate looking tall,
slim and thinly clad His hair, slightly tinged with
gray. was combed back from his high forehead. and
his appearance showed that he was no tramp.
"why did you break the glass, Peterson?" asked
the Justice.
81 have no home sir and no work. want to give
myself up. broke the glass because had place
to go to. and / knew that the officer would take
me in.'
'what has brought you to this ?"
MY health, Your Honor. will have money from
my friends in Germany in a short time. and want to
stay in some place until then.
The reporter saw him in the Essex Market Prison
few minutes later. and the story of his trials was
related il an interesting manner
COMING TO AMERICA
He graduated "a chemist in German college
when young man, and year or so atterward mar
ried beautiful German girl OF his native town. and
their wedding trip was voyage across the Atlantic.
They landed in New York i'll 1858 and started mne-
diaely for the West Arriving in San francisco Mr.
Peterson embarked in business for himself with the
limited capital which he had and succeeded hey ond
his expectations. They returned to Europe several
times, visiting his parents, who were residing on
large estate Berlin. Before the late civil
broke out his wife and their two children died, ard
he left alone. In 1868 he joined the
Third New Jersey cavalry and i'll many
battles. In the battle OF Winchester he was
wounded twice in his right by Mimic
balls After serving three years in the army he sup
ported himself by clerk.ng and practising his pro-
fesson. In the first part of 1875 his health began to
fail, and, together with this afcton, came the news
of the death his aged iather, closely followed by
that of his mother His sickness was bleeding OF
the lungs, which in time became bad that he was
compelled to leave his business The entire estate
in the Fatherand left to the two only sons,
Francis and the unfortunate John. The interest on
his half received regularly until two weeks
since, and with it lie managed to support himself
comfortably. Last Saturday morning, having no
money. not penny, he left his boarding place,
at No. l295 Broadway, indebted to the landlady for
one week $ board.
HOUSE.
After wandering through the streets the whole day
he compelled the first time in his life to APP
ply at a station house for lodging. He remained III
the station house during the night thankful for the
soft side of plank. At FIVE o'clock yesterday morn
ing he left with the other dodgers. He was too proud
to beg. He had place to go, and, after brooding
his mstortunes for an hour, concluded that he
would get himself arrested go before the justice and
tell him his story. Accordingly he broke the glass
in the lamp the of Eldridge and Grand
streets for which offence he promptly arrested
He was committed to the care of the Commissioners
of Charities for short time He further stated that
he had ordered portion of the estate to which he is
heir Sold and the money, together with the back in
terest, forwarded to him. which, when received will
relieve him from his present embarrassing condition.