Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1886-11-11
ASSASSIN'S WORK.
Beatde, Surveyor Of the Port Of New
York, Shot.
The Would-be Assassin IL q DISCHARGED
Inspector-A had Character.

New YORK, Nov. 1.-Surveyor Of the Port
Of New York Beattie was shot about noon to-
day in his Office at the Custom House, by a
discharged inspector, who fired five or six
shots. 1t is not known whether the wounds
are fatal. He was wounded in two places
One of the bullets, 1t Is said, entered his
groin. He lies in the Custom House, and at
tendants state his condition not serious. The
inspector who fired the shot was named Bier
all and was discharged last week.
When Bierall was taken for Identification to
the room where Beattie lay on the sofa, he
said, eyes, did," with an air Of exultation.
After remaining in the room for a short time
he was brought out and taken to the Tombs.
As he came out Of the room he was laughing,
and walked off with bravado. Assistant Dis
trict Attorney Fellows said: 81 have known
Bierall for the last eighteen years. He is a
thoroughly bad character. He shot man in
California, and, 1t is said, killed his wife in
Boston. Bierall described himself as being
~ years old, married, and native of Brazil
The particulars are given In later
dispatch, as follows: The career of Louis
Bierall, who shot and severely wounded sur
veyor of the Port, II. 8. Beattie to-day, is redo
lent Of adventure. Bierall is native of one
OF the republics Of South America. Although
70 years old his hair is black as ravens
wing. He is below the medium size and has a
swarthy complexion. Bierall came to this
city about forty years ago, and has since then
led startling life. Sporting men have been
his principal associates, an he is personally
known to many Of them all over the United
States. At times he has been prize fighter,
gambler, politician. He has always been a
s 'ldier Of fortune One of HE first adventures
was a prize-fght up the Hudson river, In the
vicinity of Tarrytown Bierall was declared
the winner. He Is noted among his fellows
as bing han iy with the knife or pistol. Pre-
vious to the war he was arrested In Boston on
the charge of killing his mistress. Jealousy
was said to have been to motive.
The woman's body was found In the
Charles river rddlel with bullets. B,erall
was tried and acquitted. He subsequently
went to the war and fought In SlclSles' br-
gade. He made record for brave and gallant
conduct as a member OF Col. Bakers Ca lifornia
regiment at Balls Bluffs. When Baker was
badly wounded Berall carried him of the field
on his shoulders amid raking fire. 1t was a
matter Of rumor among soldiers that Bierall
killed his man in California, but the rumor is
not substantated On returning to New York
after the war Bierall onened a gambling house
In 1869 be was one of the PARTY employed by
the anti-Fisk party to attack the Grand opera
house, then known as Fort Erie, aud to Dust
Gould and Fisk. 1t is said to have been In re-
ward for his services on this occasion that
Bierall was appointed night inspector in the
custom house. General Sicllles, by whose in
fuence, 1t is said, Bierall got the place, was
counsel for one of the Erie factions at the
time on the trial of Ed Stokes for the muir
der Of Fisk. Stokes accused Berall of
having been hired by friends of Fisk to
waylay him. Blerall is accused of a muir.
derous attack upon a fellow inspector
named Voges some years ago. He
is said to have acted as second for John Nor
rissy In one of the latter's fights. He had
considerable reputation at one time as a
fighter, athlete and swimmer. He is known
by some of his friends as a Frenchman, by
Others as Portuguese, and by Others as a
Spaniard. A customs house official said to-
night that Bierall had always kept his &C
quaintance with sporting characters and was
a chum Of Billy Edwards the famous light
weight, now 'bouncer'' at the Hoffman
House. After Berall had Gained down at the
station house, he SAIL to reporter: ~ only
want to say this: that man Beattie was my
judge, jury and executioner, I was given 50
by lady, and for that he discharged me. All
my friends went and asked him to give some
reason for discharging me. He refused to DO
so. He convicted me without any evidence
and gave me no chance to defend myself. No
man can have fair show from him. When
found nothing else would do, determined to
shoot him. tried everything else first He
ruined my family, for could get nothing to
do to support them"