The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-21
CLUB OR GLOVE?
WITH WHICH DID OFFICER MoHR STRIKE
MAN WHO DIED SUBSEQUENTLY, OF FRAC-

WITH WHICH DID OFFICER MoHR STRIKE A
MAN WHO DIED SUBSEQUENTLY, OF FRAc-
rURED sKULL?--AN EYEWITNESS STORY.
There died yesterday, in the Chambers Street Hos
pital. an unknown man. who IL the testimony of an
eyewitness be reliable. clearly the victim of a
policeman's club. He was drunk. as most such VIC
Tins are and incapable Of comprehend ing and an
swering the questions put to him by the officer. AID
for this inability. the eyewitness AYERS. he was
dubbed both sides of the head till he fell tho
sidewalk and fractured his skull. He was taken.
Friday night. in a state of insensbty to the Madi-
son street police station. and subsequently removed
to the Chambers Street Hospital. where he was re-
celved at twenty five minutes past ten P. NJ. He ex
pired yesterday morning at fifteen minutes to twelve
being all the time unconscious. He was man about
thrtyeght years of aye and apparently belonging to
the seatarng class i've feet eight inches in height.
with light blue eyes. light hair and sandy beard and
mustache. He wore gray undershirt and drawers.
white shirt and over it one Of blue flannel brown
pants and vest striped with red. black overcoat
and laced shoes. No papers money found
his person, either q. the station house in the
hospital. aud marks discovered his cloth
ing to lead to his identity On the serseants blot
ter after giving description of his appearance and
clothing. was the entry that he brought to the
station house by Officer John Mohr. at ten p. NJ,
unconscious from q wound in the back of the head.
supposed to be from falling on the sidewalk.
THE STORY OF AN EYEWITNESS.
George r. Gee, of No. % Madison street. work
man in the employ of Joseph Stiner, tea merchant.
at No 1T Chambers street, spoke IS follows to
HERALD reporter about the last evening -'I
was coming from prayer meeting in the Baptist
Church, corner of Gouverneur and Madison streets.
about half-past nine O'Clock Friday evening, when
heard policeman talking out LOUD. and my atten-
ton was attracted. heard him say to who
was leaning against signpost in front of him. and
to all Appearances drunk, II you dout tell me
your name and where you live III knock all the
teeth down your, throat stood and looked
and aon1 fhn cfHa
again where he lived. The seemed stupid
from drink as not to be able to answer. Then the
policeman when he wouldn't answer, hit him hard
blow with his club on the right side of the head.
and the man took no more notice of it than to
do that!' Then the policeman asked him again for
his name. and. receiving no answer. hit him q far
heavier blow than the frst the left side of
mans legs gave way and he fell just If he
shot and the back of his head struck the fags and
the blood spurted from mis- nostrils. There
two men besides myself standing by
at the time. and the three of tried
to stand him on his feet. but It was no use.
handcart. and after trying two or three places
back with one. With the help OF those around the
unconscious man was put In and wheeled down to
the station house. man came up after the club
bling was over and sang out. Whats the matter?
Why, heard the thud down on the other corner"
THE OFFICERS STATEMENT.
Officer Mohr was asked last evening at the Madi-
son street station house, 'Where did you meet the
man who was brought here last night with frac-
tured skullT
II saw him twenty minutes before he fell on the
sidewalk and then he staggering along the side
walk"
'Did You offer to arrest himy"
II asked him who he and where he lived. and
told him to 90 home.
"What answer did he give your"
''IIe told me it was none OF my damned business"
''Where was he standing thens'
"He was leaning up against q siqnpost. swaying
back and forth. and wouldn't move on
els it true that while he thus standing you
struck him with youF club on both sides Of the
head?'
Nothing Of the kind. struck him with my
glove, and he fell on the sidewalk
"Only with your glover?
Nothing more. You see, the man drunk and
when he fell the back Of his head in contact
with the edge of the curbstone. and it was that I'm
ished him."
"A man who declares he present says you hit
him with your club two several times. How Is
that?"
HE don't know what he is talking about. The
man was drunk and impertinent and giving sass
and. besides, the sidewalk was slippery from the
snow, and that's what made him fall than any
thing else. That's all did-just to strike him with
my glove"
"Did You see him como out OF any drinking sa-
loon on the street,"
"No; but one Of the officers here says he saw q
man answering to the description in Martin Reillys
saloon. corner of Madison and Market streets"
call ut Reilly's saloon failed to get any salts
factory Information of the deceased, though man
somewhat resembling him in hair and eyes had been
there the day before. but he was known to be still
alive and well.
The Coroner will be at the Chambers street Hos
mony OF the doctor rs to the cause Of death, and
subsequently an inquest will be held. Should no
friends relative call to claim the remains the
meantime they will be removed to the Morgue.