New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-05
WHAT CAUSED HIS DEATH A!
A POLICEMAN DIES UNDER MYSTERIOUS
CIRCUMSTANCES.
RrMoRs THAT HE WAS ATTACKED AND BEATEN
BY FELLOW OFFICERS.


BY FELLOW OFFICERS.
James J. Burke policeman attached to the Eliza
botbst station died bellevue Hospital last Thurs
day and was buried Saturday In calvary cemetery
burke was appointed policeman on August 10. 1854
MA father is policeman at the Edrdge-st station, d
bs brother IS a parolman at the Leonard-st STATION
Rurbo secured leave Of absence In tho carry part OF
Iaet month on account OF Illness. He was attended at
his home, at No. 80 Broome St., by DrMAMc'oVerh'
tho police surgeon, and 1t was found that no had
cavern congestion Of the brain. On November IL no
u-an, IN Couverneur Hospital at the suggestion Of Dr.
ward. the house surgeon, and also BurKes pn'a'o
,.s,ci,n On November IS Burhc, being aDle
- On out called upon Dr. McGOvern at his Office III
ho Albambra- No. 90 west F1fty-ninh-st BURKE
Looked TO be in fair condition. though Inc complained OF
severe pains IN his head. and was ordered by DE- NC
cavern TO report al the station house on November 20
for duty lie did go to the station, however, and
Roundsman O'Brien was sent to his house TO find out
why he hal not compiled with orders Burke told
oBren that he sick. and that there was no use OF
his going the station house, he could not perform
his duty. Two days laier Burke was again admitted
to Couveneur Hospital and on the following day was
transferred to Bellevue Hospital lie had become vIo-
lent and had be carried In straight Jacket In an
ambulance lie died three days later in horrible
agony, I'm a cell I'm the alcoholic ward Or. j. H. Nc
lntosh the house surgeon Bellevue said that Burkes
death caused by heart failure, superlnduced by
alcoholism, In other words, delIrium remens.
While The record at Bellevue appears tc be perfectly
straight, there Is well founded rumor that II does not
give the real cause Of Burkes illness and death. Dr.
McGovern said last night that he not prepared to
give a positive opnon as to the cause Of the police
mans death, but he told that it was due to VIC
lent assault which had been committed
upon him. DR.. McGovcm said that
roundsman OF the Elizabeth-st station, whose
name he was not at liberty to mako public had
told him that he had seen Burke at Bellevue Hospital
and Mortified at his appearance. Both Burkes
eyes black, and his face and body covered
with scratches and bruises. DR.. McGovem
ionshcd TO hear this, and could not account for it,
shortly aftorwar1. a patrolman who in the same
platoon with Burke at the Elizabeth-st. station met
Dr. McGovern and said to him that Burke had been
attacked and beaten by policemen belonging to the
Oakst. station, and had died from the effects of the
injuries received. Dr. Mcintosh at Bellevue Hospital
last evening, admitted that there several bruises
and scratches on Burke's face and chest but did not
know how they caused
Mrs Burke said last evening that she was not al
lowed to see her husband at Bellevue and that the
first thing that she heard about him from there was
that he was dead She had been told by John GroSan
of Brooklyn. that her husband had been beaten and
robbed by thieves. but had not heard anything ABOUT
his being attacked by policeman.
There il much mystery connected with Burke's
death that investigation will be made to-day by
Coroner MESSENGER. and Acting Sup rlntendent Byrnes
will summon the policemen before him who claim TO
know about the and St the matter 10 the bottom
there Is reflection On the Police Department I'm any
event whether Burke died from alcoholism, without
charges having been preferred against him i0r IN
toxicaton, or from the blow OF polceman's club.