New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-10-06
MURDERED BY HOODLUMS.
THE CRIME OF A JERSEY CITY GANG"

GEORGE BATES. A SHIP CARPENTER WHO REFUSED
TO GIVE LoArERs MONEY FOR DEEE. FATALLY
ASSAULTED.
One of the worst of the numerous gangs Of
rulans in Jersey City is that known as the Bridge
Gang" II gets it's title from the fact that the
hoodlums composing II make their headquarters on
and near wooden bridge over the Morris Canal at
the foot Of lIenderson-st. The gang has been
terror to that part of the city for long time. and
person who knew it's reputation would venture
to cross tie bridge after dark unless in case of
absolute necessity. The police made numerous
attempts to break " M but there arc several um
ber aud brick yards oil the south side of the bridge
ia which the huodluna took refuge whenever .
policeman came IN sight On Saturday night the
." gang" committed y mutdct which viii probably
bring como oi thrm a. Tho gallowH. The victim
was tinnfee Hates ngn forty five. Hliir carpenter
who liyad with hA viii IA u nhhnty ~ lInndrtaohz
IT iust south of the bridge
Hates wns on his way home about 7l;IO y. ~, ia
company with two ncnda, Jerome Dub0ls ahd
Thomah King six or seven members of the
"brilge gang were hlttlnp on the string piece
when Bates and his friends came along engaged IA
conversation " Harry jackson, and Patrick alias
Tough" Murphy leaders OF the gang, stepped
out in front ct the tisce men and demanded money
from Bates II buy beer, or to fill the growler
WIN, IL lltN ltllitu II, III ti''A ''Ni'" ''""-'
Bates refused to give them any money and called
them loafers. The other members of the gang
began closing around. and Batcss friends tried to
hurry him away. Murphy struck Bates and then
the lattcrs friends dragged him out OF the crowd
and fastened to the other side OF the bridge. The
gang followed, but Bates's friends pushed him
into his own house and went in with HIM, and
the gang returned to the bridge.
4 short time afterward Batcs's friends, DubOIS and
King started 10 90 home, and Bates insisted on
seeing them across the bridge. A. soon as they
reached the bridge the gang surrounded them,
and Jackson and Murphy struck Bates Jack
sons blow landed on his mouth and he fell heavily
backward, the back of his head striking the bridge
with resOundng thud. lie remained motlonless,
and some one exclaimed that he was killed. The
crowd thercupon fled. and Bates was picked mp by
his friends and carried home. DR.. John d. McGill
was summoned and found that Bates had fractured
his skull lie remained unconscious until a. m
YESTERDAY. when he died An hour later the police
of the First Precinct were informc. Of the aGray,
and officers Miller and Egan found Murphy and
Jackson in drunken sleep in shanty near the
bridge. The policemen did not know that Jackson
was implicated in the atar,and they therefore only
arrested Murphy.
Later IN the day the police captured John Nor
row. age twenty-five, OF No. go Groye-sf, a
brother Of the notorious Butch Morrow, Robert
Nuisance cololcd age thirty five Of Henderson ST.
Edward Abrahard, age twenty-cght OF so. I}>
Essex E. James Met Grthy. age nineteen, OF No..
i37 lorl,-st.. and Edward J. Barton; age twenty;
one. of No. 2i3 Van Norst-st Murphy IS charged
with heinC one OF the principals IN the murder, ana
the other, who were i'm the " gang are h"d as
witnesses County Physician Converse mlde
post norton examination OF Batess remains yes,
ter,lav afternoon assisted by Drs Dickinson and
Rae They found that in falling Bltes had struck
the load of spike which fractured his skull. me
county physician directed Coroner Huslc7 to hold
an inquest aud il viii be begun ON "Wednesday
uivit fle police confident of capturing JACK
SON ns ic is we'll '.nOwn.
Alexander Campbell. % stalwart Scotclmnn. who
is scmplovcd ms yaichman mn one Of Che brick yards
south of the bridge. says that be- was acc".t'd by
Murphy aud Jackson about a. M Yesterday
They demanded money for beer. Campbell tried 10
SEIZE Murphy declaring that lac would pitch him
into tine canal bat the later cludcd liis grasp ana
ran down on the tow path From there he threw
n .lnna ahot at Campbell which struck the nd" oi
tho bridge and made - deep irdontatiuu. Police
CAPTAIN f1rricr feels indignant that Dr MG'till
did not report the alrit 20 the police when hc was
called - attend the Injured man, and says That
NJ ho had the Whole gang could have been olsilf
rIuturfd.