New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-09-07
MURDER AT GARFIELD PARK.
NOTED TURFMAN'S DESPERATE RESIST
ANCE TO THE POLICE.
JAMES NJ BROWN FATALLY SHOOTS TWO Pc
IlCEMEN AND Is THEN NDDLED
HIMSELF.

Chicago Sept 6.-TwO dead men, one OF
them millionaire, and one fatally wounded, are
today's results of the attempt to close the Gar
field Park race track. The dead men James
NJ Brown, of Fort Worth. Ten, and prominent
turfnan, shot through the right breast and lower
portion Of the face and John Powell, police officer,
shot through the mouth: Henry Mcdowell, police
officer is fatally shot in the abdomen.
Both the officers fell before Browns revolver.
Who killed Brown is not exactly known,
dozen officers were firing at him, including Nc
Dowell, who Notwithstanding the fact that his
life was ebbing fast, raised himself on his elbow
and fired repeatedly at the man who had laid
him low.
IL was soon after o'clock when the police
commanded by Inspector Lewis, appeared at the
gates TO make the third raid upon the Park. in
obedience TO warrants taken out by Thomas Win
sor. The police paid no attention to the fleeing
spectators, but quickly surrounded the betting
ring and the judges stand. All the officials of
the track who could be found were quickly
placed under arrest, and detachment of officers
was then sent to the stables TO gather in the
grooms and jockeys. They had, for the most
part, taken the alarm and escaped. Attention
was then turned TO the people, who scattered
over the grounds. singh and in numerous squads
were making their way toward the exits. Only
and another move was made toward the stables
As the officers approached J. NJ Brown, the
wealthy turman, owner of Bobby Beach, G. w.
Johnson the sensational car-old, and other
frst-class horses, was standing up on the roof
Of one of the stables. watching the police pursue
the people With him stood Bob Rice, another
wellknown racing
Il will not come down and I'll not be arrested,
said Brown curtly, when asked by the officers TO
come down, at tn" same time tossing few pcb-
bles form the gravel roof upon POwelTs head
Brown sprang to the ground and walked rapidly
toward a gate opening from the grounds upon
Fortieth-st Powell followed closely after him
and Brown began 10 run, paying no attention to
the repeated calls of Powell that unless he
halted he would bc fired upon.
As no attention was paid to him, Powell drew
his revolver and sent bullet whizzing through
the air just over Browns head Brown instantly
wheeled around and fired Powell fell forward
on his face, dead. Without placing the revolver IN
hb pocket. Brown fed rapidly along Fortcthet
Mcdowell at once started in pursuit lie gained
rapidly upon Brown. who darted into yard ana
around an unfinished house. Mcdowell turned
around the house in the opposite direction, ana
the two men came face to face Mcdowell
crashed him ferecly by the throat and bore his
man aQninst the fence at the same time trying
TO hold Browns arms so that he could not raise
the revolver which he still held in his hand
Brown struggled desperately. but he coniu ho'
break away lie pushed the weapon against the
body Of the officer and fired. with cry "'
pain, McDowe''i fell back. shot in the abdomen
bv this time dozen officers were close az
hand, and as Brown paid no attention 10 th'r
demands 10 surrender. several of them opened IRE
upon hiw. Mcdowell, who had heon wri'h'ng
upon the ground, managed 70 mis" himself up on
one elbow. and with the determination 10 even
I'D matters with tue man who had shot hlm'
opened fire with his revolver. Brown could not
escsne. he was surrounded on all sides, and before
he could raise his revolver 10 protect himself \
bullet crashed through his right lung and an
other tore away the jaw and lower part Of the
face. killing him almost Immediately
His body and that OF Powell were quickly
taken up that OF Browns being taken to III"
mcrgue, and Powes to his home McDoweli
Was taken 10 the County Hospital, wher" heNbow
lie, at the point OF death. , H.. ~;
Gers with good records Powell leaves a WIDOW
and two children and Mcdowell has wife g..
Chief Nee laughry said OF the tragedy that IL
confirms his determination TO clos. the park. 50
far from making me change my nilnu, salu ne ~
confirms my decision. II police officers cannot en-
for ts. mark in the discharge OF Their duty Will
ont bninQ killed il il time the park ~ closed Inc
officer were clearly inside the law ana III dls
Of their duties. They had warrants 10 sfINc '''"
that gave them slIlcien' right ~ WINE "p ~
field Park
J. ". Brown was well known to Eastern 'nrimen
and race goers as he the owner OF the famous
suriuter Bobby Beach who aStOnishcd everybody !"
his marvellous speed and VINO Won il'eeh '"''' wv
OF eighteen starts In 1890 Ills FIRST race III me F-'S'
was at Sheepshead Bay on Futuhty Day al 'he Ih''
meeting In 1890 when he ran away from Ms htiu III
a mild dash, In which Merlden was ia'ofi,e az ~
ia on The followers OF browns stable won heaVhy'
getting q 70 / Cor their money. body Leach
was defeated by Mabel Glenn, "oood"ih "'iuo
says by the hind permission OF his JOCKEY 'lasee.
few DAYS later IN his next attempt be defeated
Clarendon with long odds against him, ana MS owner
reaped a rioh harvest by bis victory lie "oh every
race he started In bat one atterward, and went mo
winter quarters with high reputation Last year ue
two wear old Addie the best In the Brown s"pe,
winning twelve races She was purchased Nv rierIo
Iorard for o. 600 This year q. W. Johnson inc
brother TO Huron runs In Browns colorS ana Is the
hes, twoyear- old colt in the West. Red Banner the
hest two yearold FLY In the West, was also owned
by brown ,., ~.
owning property worth ut least hall million uoiarS
US he hsd interests in several tracts OF ahd su,,ale
for agriculture and was partner In cattle rancnt~
He formerly raced In small way through .ne ,p
circuits but IN reee. yeals H. run 10th in The East
and the West. lie was auiek-,empereo man. WIN s
wns ready 10 shoot at word, " MS temper ""S
aroused. ,,, A., IT,. ,t,,,,s ~ chicago
.ud when II vas built 1t used as trotng 'fAek'
hui a running meeting was gwen every yeat. lp
ot snccess Washington Park caused Gariied
Dark 10 become worthless "a troiiing trick Az =
WIS on the market two years wren lhe nnio,S
Is9siature passed bill making city pool roohis
ii,sasi It's prospects began to brighten, as pools
could be sold and books made '9err IL ra, rrrS Wa"
Lease Of the track and II proved 1onansa to nm I'M
NJ, Tho lease had out the owners OF IN"
rnnartv Increased the rent TO such an extent that
torrIgan built truck Of his own a, 1ioero, sapro
vi "rce swkIne Chicago gambler, associated MN.
est with a number Of politicians who had pull
ses VII cmred Garfield Park. Hawkins and nis man
ana sr Nv Johnson were well known In the East
aSd owned and raced Terra Gotta and Others Inc
a !t uas trained BY Eugene Leigh who was recently
s'.oIo - leave RrlghtOn bcach BY the Of1cals OF