The evening world., 1894-06-19
.CIH0KEO AND ROBBED.
0'Brien's Companion Coveted His
Bag Of Money.
Policeman Swanton Heard His Cries
and Rescued Him.
Captured the Thieving Garrotcr with
His !ll-Gottcn Booty.

Patrick II. O'Brien. OF Hague street,
is congratulating himself to-day upon
his lucky escape from robbery and.
perhaps. death at the hands OF a
garroter.
Three hundred and forty dollars In
cash. $3.50 of which was in $40 gold
pieces, was turned over to Property
Clerk Harriott ut Police Headquarters
this morning. The money was In a
little bag and represented the life saw
ings of O'Brien. 1t was stolen last
night, but was very fortunately re-
covered shortly afterwards.
At 3.3O this morning Policeman
Richard Swanton. OF the Old Slip sta
tion. while IN the vicinity of Front
street and Maiden lane, heard a muf-
fed cry Of Police! Help!"
At the corner OF Maiden lane he saw
man lying PROSTATE on the side
walk, gasping for breath. and another
sneaking away in the shadows of the
buildings down the street.
Swanton gave chase, running on tip
toe. The fleeing garroter was .uncon-
scious OF pursuit until he was sudden
ly overhauled and felt the cold muzze
OF a revolver on his cheek
Swanton brought the prisoner back to
the corne-. where he found the victim
sitting ur lie had partially recovered
Ms breath and between gasps informed
the policeman that the prisoner had
garroted him and robbed of all the
money he had In the world.
Both men were taken to the Old Slip
station. station. where o'Brien preferred
berry.
The prisoner said he was Thos. Crow
Ley. twenty-six years old, OF James
of money was found in his pocket.
He offered no explanation OF how II
came into his possession. and was
locked UP.
O'Brien's throat was badly swollen
this morning. but he had recovered from
his choking sufficiently to tell the story
He said that he was employed in the
cause Of the intemperate habits OF his
wife. carried his money around with
him.
At midnight he met Crowley in n
In. paying, for the drink he pulled
Of gold and bills. The template lon was
evidently too strong. for Crowley. for
gain possession of the coveted wealth
O'Brien drank often and literally.
and oar became , SO much m under @ the influence r,
Crowley''s escort home.
At Maiden lane and Front street there
were deep shadows extending nearly
across the street. There was no one In
sight. and the time and circumstances
were favorable for the contemplated
deed.
Grasping his victim by the throat.
Crowley threw him to the sidewalk
with such force as to partially stun, him.
He met with no resistance, and eN-
tracted the bag from O'Brien's pocket.
Not content with this. he placed his
fingers around his almost helpless vic
TINS. throat and began to choke him
into msensibility.
O'Brien, realizing that he was being
strangled. made "A desperate effort to
free himself and succeeded. shouting for
help
The thieving garroter then took fright
and fed. Thanks to the watchfulness of
Patrolman Swanton. however, he was
captured almost red-handed. and possi-
BILE murder prevented.
In the Tombs Court this morning
Crowley was held in 81, 500 bail to answer.
O'Brien's money will be kept at head
quar- until the case Of disposed Of.
O'C-ien Is member Of the Patrick
Diver Association. He is very re-
spectacle appearing man and seldom
drinks to excess. His Indulgence last
night, he said. was due to his domestic
troubles.