New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-07-01
A BRAVE OFFICER MURDERED
SHOT DOWN WHILE DOING HIS DUTY.
THE MURDERER A wIFE-BEATER AND Ex-coNvrcr
WHO had BEEN ABETTED BY HIS MOTHER.

| THE MURDERER WHITEWATER AND Ex-coNvIcr
WHO HAD BEEN ABETTED Br MS MOTHER.
| Officer Thomas Wood Of Mount Vernon was
shot and almost instantly killed at about o'clock
Yesterday afternoon, by Frank Edward Brouty.
little over year ago Brouty married in New
York City young French woman by the name OF
Louisa Forshce. 1t is said that it was her father
who contracted to furnish the Italian marble used
in the completion of the Equitable Building. I'M
mediately after their marriage they moved 70
Mount Vernon where Broutys father had been en-
gagged for years florist. Hardly had the bride
entered the home of Broutys parents before he be-
gan tc i-treat her In this, II is sad he was urged
on and even aided by his mother.
The young wife stood his ill-treatment as long
as possible and one night she appealed to Justice
Edmonds for relief On her complaint a warrant
was issued and the brutal husband arrested. The
following morning in court he promised to do bet
ter and begged his wife's forgiveness This she
granted and consented to go back and live with
him. They had hardly reached the street in front
of the courtroom, however, before Brouty knocked
her to the ground, at the same time saying with an
oath A" I'm through with you. You go your way
and I'll go mine"
Two constabes who were standing near saw tho
assault and brought him once more before Judge
Edmonds He promptly sentenced to tie Al
bany Penitentary for six months. After serving
his time he returned home, and his brutality in
creased. For time his patient wife endured
it, until yesterday morning she again Obliged
to invoke the aid of the law. Early in the morn
ing Brouty and his wife had misunderstanding,
in which his mother sided with him. Brouty struck
his wife and finally threw her from the house,
telling her never to return Mrs. Brouty, with her
three months old child in her arms stood outside
of Justice Farrngton's office when that magistrate
arrived Into his she poured her tale Of suf-
fering, and her affidavit the second warrant
issued for Broutys arrest. This warrant was in
trusted to Officers Charles White and Joseph Mara
for service.
Brouty lives in Union-ave, near Third
ST., scarcely three-quarters Of mile
from Justice Fsrrington's Office After being
released from the Penitentiary Brouty had made
the remark that no officer would arrest him
again. The officers expected trouble but did not
think that Brouty would resort to murder. When
the officers reached Brouty's house he was at
work in the garden When he them APP
preaching and before they had reached the gate,
he dropped liower-pot from his hands and turn
ing toward them said: Il know what you're
after and if you take me, you take me dead"
| As he said this he walked behind Of tho
lighthouses and returned with double barrelled
shotgun in his hand Tapping the gun angrily
he said: L have not only this but have
| pistol as well.' At the same time he drew
volver from his hip pocket. The officers did not
think it wise to attempt to arrest him and
returned to Jusice Farrington's Office and told him
of their fears. Justice harrington somewhat
angry and sent for Constable Thomas Woods at
the same time remarlking: "rll get a man to
bring that fellow in'
Officer Wood took the warrant and
started to arrest Brouty Brouty was
still st work in the garden and the
officer SnhSstadtng Gpehnsd the gate and
for you, and l am going to take you with me-"
| Franks mother ran toward the officer, as she
heard this and seized him by the arm. As she
did so Frank picked up the gun which was lying
| by his feet and said Stand back, mother,
am going to kill him."
another word Frank eveled the gun at the officer
and fired. Tie officer fell with his head parSy
resting against the fence As he lay ,prostrate
club the dead man 0S WITH the stock su anf The bu 70
! however hit the fence and snapped off. Officers
| White ana MARI, who almost expected something
in the rear Of the yard. They saw him fall and
| as BrOuty about to raise the gun to mako
anoth,r attempt to strike him, they seized him
and, after desperate struggle, succeeded in over
powerlng him and placing him under arrest.
Mrs Broutg was also arrested and both were taken
| Dy OTuef Oh tOfOuef lice. Inc Uklr-
| dered officers body was removed to
Burr Daviss mOrgue at Mount Vernon. Tho
charge of shot had entered the left side, tearing
! the verebr. Doctors Murphy and Jones made
n pOsTmortem examination and said that death
must have been instantaneous he gun was
loaded with heavy duck Shot and the distance
small between the murdered man and the muir
dcrer that even the gun wads penetrated the body
and the skin burnt with powder.
w )od, who fifty years old, was member
of the NeN-lorl police force in 865. lie had
also been a member OF the United States Navy.
lie leaves a wife and five children. Wood was
! regarded a courageous man, and in fact was
always picked out to do work that Others feared
to attempt. Brouty does not bear a very envia-
bic reputation in the village, and, in fact, has
been looked down upon by all respectable people,
The murdeTer's father is of the most respected
men in Westchester County, and has large circle
Of friends. As a florist he has amassed consid-
| cradle money, and, while the mother sided with
sible effort 10 effect happy life between the
and his wife. The murdered man was one of
the best known citizens in the village and his
face was familiar one to nearly every resident.
Much Indignation is expressed against Officers
White and Narz. The general impression seems
to be that had they shown 'front.' drawn their
| revolvtrs and demanded that Brouty drop the gun,
he would have done so and surrendered. Officer
Wool knowing as well White and MARI tho
disposition of BrOuty had no hesitation and had
it not been for the fact that Mrs. Brouty seized
him. he woud undoubtedly have succeeded in
placing him under arrest. Coroner lice wll hold
! an inquest Monday night, at O'clock in the
office of w. II. Collins