The Sunday morning news., 1891-06-07
Commissioner William J.
Winges Of Hoboken Near
1Y Murdered at
Dunellen.
STRUCK DOWN IN HIS BARN.
Mrs. Meyer, the Housekeeper,
tainted, But Minnie, Her Niece,
Proved a Heroine.

PLANFIELD. June 6, 1891. Water COM
missioner William ]. Winges of Hoboken
was murderously assaulted at his country
residence In Dunnellen by tramp last
night. He was slashed with a large
bladed clasp knife, and his injuries are Of
q very serious nature.
While Mr. Winges was In Hoboken yes
terday tramp applied for lodgings, but
was refused by Mr.. Winges' housekeeper,
Mrs. Meyer. When Mr.. Winges came
home Mrs. Meyer told him of the incl
dent, but nothing more was thought Of it
until Mr.. Winges had occasion TO 60 to
his barn, which is about one hundred
yards from the house, when he discev-
cred the tramp lying in stall
Mr.. Winges ordered The tramp out He
refused to go and Mr.. Winges attempted
to eject him.
MURDERoUs BLOWS
There was fierce struggle for few
moments and the tramp was getting the
his breast and pulled forth long knife.
Mr.. Winges saw the CLEAN Of the knife
and attempted to avoid the coming
stroke. but was not able to do SO. The
keen blade descended and buried itself in
his cheek
Again and again did the tramp strike
with the knife until Mr.. Winges' face.
neck and arms were terribly gashed, and
finally he fell fainting TO the floor, cov-
cred with blood. The tramp fed
Mr.. Winges hou5ekeeper arrived at
this juncture, together with her neice,
a girl of eighteen. whose name is Minnie.
and who is employed as a servant. Mrs.
Meyer fell in swoon when she saw Mr..
Winges on the floor bleeding and uncon-
scious.
Not SO with Minnie, however. She at
once took decided action and she has
been heroine in Dunellen since, She
Immediately went back to the house,
loaded gun, and arousing a couple of
neighboring farmers. she started them In
pursuit of the tramp while she went for
doctor.
The farmers after a hot chase overlook
the tramp on the road TO Bound Brook.
The fellow made show Of resistance, but
when the muzzle Of a gun was thrust In
his face he surrendered and was bound
hand and foot and brought back to
Duneilen.
MINNIE MADE A HEROINE.
By the time the tramp was brought
back the news Of the assault had spread
like wildfire, and when 1t became ru-
mored that Mr.. ..Winges was liable to die
the villagers wanted to hang the tramp to
the nearest tree. Lynch law would have
prevailed had not several constables ar
rived and taken the tramp off to the Mid
dlesex county Jail, at Ne y Brunswick.
Then the crowd. foiied of its prey,
turned to plucky Minnie Wtnges, made a
heroine OF her and carried her through
the streets at midnight on their shoul-
ders, with torches flaming all about her.
Winges Is still unconscious from the loss
OF blood, and is in critical condition.
Mr. Winges' injuries are of very seri-
ous nature, and may prove fatal
The News in Hoboken.
The news Of the assault on Mr.. Winges
was not generally known in Hoboken last
night, although several OF his intimate
friends had heard Of it.
Mr.. Winges has been prominent IL
politics In Hoboken. He was at one time
Chairman of the Council, and a { the last
election he was elected Water Commis
sioner on the Democratic ticket.
He is the Hudson county collector for
jacob Ruppert's brewery, aud has an
Office at No. s Garden street.
His marital relations have not beer
happy. About two years ago he tried t(
gain divorce from his wife, but 1t i!
understood that divorce has never beer
granted, although the couple have moi
lived together for some years. Mrs
Winges is at present living in Brooklyn
with friends, and receives weekly al,
lowance.
After separating from his wife, Win9es
installed Mrs. Meyer, q buxom widow
house In which Winges has his Office AT
present Winges has no residence in Ho
boken. his only residence being at Dun
ellen.
Mr.. Winges has many friends in Hobo
ken who were much excited by the news