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

Patrick II. O'Brien. of 8 Hague street,
is congratulatlng 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. $50 of which was in $40 gold
pieces, was turned over to Property
Clerk Harriott at Police Headquarters
this morning. The money was In
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 $50 this morning Policeman
Richard Swanton. of the Old Slip sta
ton. 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
Buildings down down the h str street. sna'0"' 0' '"e
Swanton gave chase. running on tip
toe. The fleeing garroter was uncon-
scious OF pursuit until he was sudden
of revolver on his cheek.
garroted him and robbed him of all the
the corner. where he found the victim
his breath and between gasps informed
sarroted him and nd robbed t Of all the the
money he had In the world.
station, where OBrien preferred
charges of assault and highway rob-
fery.
ley, twenty-six years old, of James
Slip. On being searched, O'Briens bag
of money was found in his pocket
He offered no explanation OF how 1t
came into his possession. and was
o'Briens 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
Street-Cleanin Department. and be-
| cause OF the Incorporate habits OF his
wife, carried his money around with
him.
Al midnight he met Crowley in a
In paying for the drink he pulled
out .o,h The bag ,e exhibiting The bundle
evidently too strong. for Crowley, for
he stuck close to his intended victim
until favorable opportunity arrived to
O'Brien drank often. and literally,
and became so much under the influence
of liquor that he was glad to accept
Crowley's escort home.
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 cx-
| trncted 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 insensibility
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
Patrolmnn Swnnton, howeyer. he was
captured almost red-handed. and posi-
| BILE murder prevented.
In the Tombs Court this morning
| Crowley was held in $500 bail to answer.
| O'Brien's money will be kept at head
que rters until the case Of disposed OF.
| Diver Association. He Is n very re-
spectacle appearing man and seldom
drinks to excess. His indulgence last
night. he said, was due to his domesti ic
| troubles.