Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1889-08-23
4 BROOKLYN MURDER.
a Grocer stabbed 70 Death By Burglar
After Desperate struggle-The nEur-
dersr and an Aeeompliee Caught.

BROOKLYN, Aug. 2S.-The people Of
Brooklyn have been Mortified by another
brutal murder, resembling in its details
the Lyman s. Weeks tragedy, which
caused such a sensation in the city Of
churches nearly three years ago.
The victim was Christian w. Lnca, .
well-to-do grocer, and he was murdered
inrcbld blood, in his own home, at the
corner OF High and Jay streets.
Mr.. Luca was awakened about $3.50
O'Clock by the sound of stealthy foot
steps in an adjoining room, and upon in
vestigating, saw man in his stocking
feet hastily passing from the rear of the
house to the parlor, fronting on Jay
street.
When the intruder caught sight of
Mr.. Luca he made a dash for the VIM
dow by which he had entered, dropping
his hat in his excitement. Mr.. Luca,
who was a very large man, seized the
burglar by the coat tail and endeavored
to capture him.
Stabbed Three Times.
In the struggle which ensued he was
stabbed three times, one thrust OF the
knife entering his body just above the
heart and the other two just below the
shoulder blade.
Mrs. Luca, aroused by the scuffiing of
the two men, arose. and, with servant
girl, ran to her husbands aid. Mr..
Luca was down on one knee upon the
floor. the murderer standing over him
and dealing his victim rapid blows upon
the shoulders.
Mrs. Luta saw nothing of the knife,
and thought her husband was engaged
in a struggle of strength with his assail-
ant. As Mr.. Luca called for help the
two women grasped the uplifted arm of
the burglar and attempted to release
Mr.. Luca, when they saw the glittering
blade Of the knife and fell terrified TO
the floor.
The burglar, Kissing. keep quiet
new or I'll serve you both as I served
him." backed quickly out of the win
dow, descending the ladder by which he
had entered the house and disappeared
In the darkness.
Caught Red Handed.
Officer Kennedy, who was attracted
by cries for help, gave chase and arrested
his man not many blocks away. He
was taken to the police station and then
brought at once to the room where his
victim lay.
It is said by the authorities that, al
though Mr.. Luca was unable to speak
when his murderer was brought before
him, he indicated with his eyes that he
identified the prisoner, who was also
positively identified by Mrs. Luca, Meta
Preus, the domestic, and by the 9-year-
old son OF the murdered man.
The murderer is Charles McElrain, 10
years OF age, professedly an ice peddler
in the employ of Cortland Bros, of New
York, He was married q week ago,
and had been living since Saturday last
in furnished rooms at No. 143 High
street. only one block from the scene OF
the tragedy. His landlady says she
knows nothing about him. except that
he was in the habit of staying out late
at night
An Accomplish Confesses.
He had two companions, who were
waiting for him outside at the time of
the murder. and who deserted him when
the cries for help were raised by the
members of Dir. Lucas family.
They were Murthie Denean, aged so
years. of No. 81 Pike street, and 1homas
Quinlan. aged %.
Denean is in custody in New York,
and has confessed his guilt TO Inspector
Byrnes.
Notable Mt. Holly Deaths.
AfT- HorIy. n r. An0. % Allan