The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-11-02
A DISCHARGED MANS VENGEANCE.
A Dismissed Customs EmplOye Attempts to
Take Collector BeattieS life.

New YORK, Nov. L.-Surveyor of the Port of
New York Beattie was shot about noon to-day,
in his Office, at the custom-house by al dis
charged inspector, who fred five or six shots
The Surveyors would-be assassin is Louis
Bieral, man who gained some distinction in the
war of the Rebellion. He was for about dozen
years attached to the custom-house. About q
week ago the Surveyor dismissed him from the
service, it being proven that he was in the habit
of exacting money from poor immigrants at
Castle Garden, where he was lately stationed.
The specific charge on which he was removed
was compelling an immigrant topay 81 duty on a
sewiDgmachine. He came to the Office about
noon to-day and gained entrance to the Sur
veyor's private Office, in the back of the build
ing, fronting on South William street. AT
1920 o'clock the reports of the pistol shots were
heard by Private Secretary Louis Nichols
and Examiner Thomas Hyatt. The discharged
inspector rushed instantly out Of the private
Office, pistol in hand, and ran through the CORR
dor to the exit into Hanover street A man at
tempted to stop him, and he yelled, eff you
touch me, I'll kill you" The man stepped back,
and Bieral ran along to Beaver street, into
which he turned and ran to the Cotton Exchange
A number of citizens followed in pursuit. Find
ing escape impossible, the man turned and ran
into the arms of policeman. He was trembling
with fear and seemed to anticipate that his pur
suers would harm him. He said to the police
man: "For Gods sake arrest me-" He
taken to the Old Slip station-house and locked
up He described himself as being seventy-two
years old, married, and living at No. 859 Sixth
avenue. He said he was native of Brazil.
Meanwhile his victim was being cared for
The news of the shooting, greatly exaggerated,
spread rapidly. A large squad of police had all
they could do to keep the corridors clear. Large
crowds OF anxious inquirers surged around the
doors. A number Of physicians appeared to
render aid to the wounded man. A surgeon at
tached to the custom-house was promptly on
hand, and after examination, he concluded that
the wounds were not OF dangerous character.
One bullet passed through the palm Of the right
hand, and second penetrated the thigh. SO
far as a hurried examination could disclose, the
latter bullet took downward course, and lodged
in the muscles of the upper part of the leg Sur
veyor Beattie remained conscious and endured
the pain with great fortltude He spoke calmly
to those who were admitted to the room, and
made close inquiries of his medical attendant as
to the nature of his injuries. The fact that he
was not MORALLY wounded, and had not received
five bullet wounds, as at first reported, was
speedily communicated to the surging crowd in
waiting, and relieved their anxiety in marked
manner
Beattie this afternoon. He said the prisoner
was removed from the post Of inspector on his
recommendation, as he had illegally taken money
from an immigrant girl. The Surveyor was sit
ting at his desk when his door was thrown open
and the prisoner entered, with pistol in his
hand, exclaiming, Nov, by -, I'll teach yous
He fired three shots, two Of which took effect,
one through the feshy part of the Surveyors
left hand and the other struck the crest of the
ilium, glancing in an inward and upward direc-
hal IA moi Unk hoan
The prisoner, when captured was perfectly
calm, admitted the shooting, and added that he
did il because Beattie refused to listen to the
men who went to him to appeal for his reinstate-
ment. The prisoner was taken before the in
jured official, who identified him. Bieral said:
eyes, I'm the one that did it. He took the
bread and butter out of my family's mouth"
The prisoner was subsequently taken to the
Tombs Police Court, where he confessed to
Justice Murray having fred the shots, and said
he did it because he had discharged
him without cause. He was born in
Valparaiso in 1914, and came to this
country when fourteen years Of age When
twenty five years of age he enlisted on the frig-
gate Columbia for a three years cruise around
the world, during which he assisted in burning
three Chinese towns for firing on American
ships. He next speculsted in horses at which
| he accumulated considerable money, and in 1849
went to California, where he ADDED to bis wealth.
| He met John Morrissey, Bret HaTte and others
there. He was friend of Bill Poole who was
shot. He served in the First California Regi-
ment in the war of the Rebellion, and at the bat
tie of Balls Bluff rescued Colonel Bakers body
| and killed the slayer. For this he was given q
medal and a pension of $50 month He had
| been in the custom house twenty five years. re-
| ceiving his first appointment through General
Hancock and General Sickles. He denies the
charge of taking So from an emgrant girl, for
which he was discharged, and says that after
shooting the surveyor, he turned the pistol on
| himself, but was so nervous that the bullet
went through his hat He was held to an
! swer for the shooting. The wounded man re-
tanned consciousness throughout, and. as soon as
it was considered safe, was put into an ambu-
| lance and taken to his home.
| The ball was probed for tonight, but was not
| found The fact causes no concern to the doc
tors, as no internal organs are believed to be
! hurt At late hour he was quiet, under opiates.