Milford chronicle., 1891-09-04
Noah Richards a Murderer.

On Tuesday morning last Noah Rich
ards, a negro, formerly a resident of this
town, but who for the past few years has
resided Ia New York City, working tor
the family of Alexander B Hyer Ill the
capacity of a servant, murdered Policeman
Tohn 7. Sherman in the fiat occupied by
Mr. Hyer's family at No. IA West One
Hundred-and-Fi Fifth street, while the oth-
Ger was trying to eject and arrest the
negro on complaint Of Mr.. Hyer for
drunkenness
The negro, who is a burly, vicious fell
low while in "the cups, " had been caus-
ING trouble for day or two, being on a
spree. and Mr.. liver had advised him to
leave him but he would not do it and per
sisted in staying with the family. On
Monday night he was refused admittance
10 the house by the head of the family,
but finally succeeded in getting into the
house. 1t is supposed he was admitted
bv Mr.. Hyer's two daughters, Belle and
Winnie, who had been to party aud
come home late. Be that as it may, he
was in the house in the morning, and
when addressed by his employer at once
showed his ugly TENDER until at last 1t
became necessary to call a policeman.
AS soon as Policeman Sherman en-
tered the room where the negro was AID
took hold Of him he showed fight. The
officer noticed this, but knew him of old
having arrested him IN one occasion be-
fore, aud at ouce tried to subdue him with
his billy. He was no match for the
burly negro, however, and they were soon
struggling on the floor. Mrs. Hyer and
daughters fed from the room in terror,
while the officer and prisoner struggled
on the floor, the one trying to master the
other Mr.. Hyer in the meantime hav-
ing gone for help. After a short scuiHe
the courageous policeman was heard to
call for the door to be opened, and as
soon as this was done he staggered from
the room with blood streaming from
three wounds in the neck which ended
his life. The windpipe was completely
severed as were also several arteries, and
death resulted from the loss Of blood from
these savage cuts. Help arrived IN time
to prevent the murderer from escaping
and he was taken into custody. Imme-
diately after the struggle he tried TO COM
NIT suicide by cutting his own throat, but
did not succeed in the attempt and was
taken to the hospital where his wounds
we're attended to, after which he was ar
raigued in the Harlem police court and
committed for further hearing. During
the excitement Miss Belle, the second
daughter Of the Hyer's went into hys-
terics aud commissions from fright, but
was soon restored by physician.
No one saw the deed committed as the
officer and negro were in the room all
alone with the door closed aud locked
when the cutting was done. The weapon
used could not be found, and it is sup
posed he threw it out the window into
The ward below, the struggle having oc-
curruL on the second floor Of the build
ing.
officer Sherman was very much thought
of in his squad, aud is is probable purse
will be made up for his widow and two
little children who survive him. The
murdered man was 50 years old, and had
been on the force but five years, during
which time he had meyer faltered in the
discharge ofhis duties. Richards is well
known here, having lived in this com
muuity until he went to live in New
York with Mr.. Hyer's family a few years
ago. He was known here by the name
Of Noah, and was considered non c0mb0l
ment1S. He WIS a big burly negro and
as strong as an OK. He will be tried and
will doubtless be electrocuted, thus end
| ing his wicked career.