New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-16
A DETECTIVE IN PERIL.
HIS LIFE SAVED BY THE POOR MARKS
MANSHIP OF HIS AsSAILANTS.
A FIGHT AMONG rRAMPs. IN WHICH TWO MEN
ARE sHoT-THE SHOOTER ARRESTED AND
RESCUED BY HIS COMPANIONS WHO
ARE THOUGHT TO HAVE
AFTERwARD KILLED
HIM.

Trenton March 10 (Specia).-City Detective Apple
gate had an encounter with gang OF hve despera-
does about two miles outside the city limits last
evening, in which man was shot and the omcer
Only escaped with his life because OF the bad Marks
manship Of the crowd
Just before the arrival OF the ofcer the gang hau
been shooting at each other. and two men had To
be taken to ST. Franciss Hospital. while one was
beaten about the head and body 40 frghtfuiy tnat
ne left lying In the snow by Els companions
In what WAS supposed to be dying cohu'ioh.
After shooting at the officer half dozen tunes ana
rescung his prisoner the gang Kept MIN al Day
with their revovers and managed to escape, taxing
the wounded man with them. The officer shot one
man I'm the hin In the melee. The two men were
taken to ST. Francis's Hospital. left after having
their wounds dressed. and to-day the police are
securing the country In the belief that some OF the
gang are in hiding.
This afternoon a clot OF blood and bunch of
human hair was found In the snow on the eahai
bank. about a mile from the scene OF the shooting
and there was evidence leading the officers to believe
that a body had been dragged along the towpath.
They fear that a murder has been committed. ana
think possible that II this be true the BODY OF the
victim thrown in.o the canal No citizen IS
reported missing and the police say that II muruei
has been done. the victim must be one OF the gang
that attacked Detective Applegate last evening. for
thev have proof that the gang took TO the tow
path after their attempt to Kill the officer
Yesterday evening the police were Informed by
citizen that gang OF tramps or thieves was TER
rorizing the workingmen at Coal Port on the Penn
sylvania Railroad about two miles outside the
city The informant said that the men were armed
and were hourishng and firing their revolvers'
Justice Mills was also told that gang Of desper-
ADDE'S camping near Coal Port, had gotten into q
quarrel. in which one of them had shot two OF ms
companions and the remainder OF the gang had
beaten him 40 badly that he was supposed to be
dying. The Justice endeavored to collect posse
OF constabes but falling in this. he told Detective
APPLICABLE who went at once TO the scene OF troupe
alone
The officer found the Justices story true. except
that the man beaten by his companions for shoot
ing the other two was not quite so badly hurt and
covering the gang with his revolver lie ar
rested the supposed murderer who IL known as
'Cur;ey" and taking the man TO locomotive,
which he had hailed. when suddenly "Curleys'
companions sneaked up behind him with drawn re-
volvers. one thrus, his revolver to the detective
face as he turned and demanded the prisoner 5
release.
Il quickly brought my cub down on his arm as
the revolver went on said the detective tonight.
II then let go OF my prisoner and. drawing my
pistol blazed away at the man who fred at me.
but not before he had another ball in my
direction The gang then took TO their heels ana
when turned around TO get my prisoner again /
found him with ready cooked revolver pointed NJ
me lie fred but fortunately missed. and then /
shot at him. He started 10 run towards his com
panions but stopped long enough 10 shoot at me
again Ny second and last shot must have struck
him In the hip. for he staggered somewhat. MY
cartridges all gone by this time. and three OF
the men carried their loaded weapons In their
hanIs while they started OF over the neids.
was alone and knew 4, would be folly TO chase
after them without a loaded revolver.
when the officer returned 10 the city he learned
that the two who had been shot In tn. leg by
Curley' had only remained At -. Franciss Hospital
long enough have their wounds dressed when they
.lrnped on The were all well armed and
heavily and comfortably clad. The detectives have
learned that they got into the quarrel among them
selves over the division or ot OF Jewery and other
plunder They have also learned that the men came
here from upper Pennsylvania and the police say
that a series OF daring robberies have been COM
mlttrd In the small towns along tins route
The theory OF the detectives Is that. AFTER rescuing
'Curiey' from arrest. IN" gang was Joined Dy the
two men whom he had shot. and that they. out or
revenge murdered "curley" and threw his BODY INTO
the canal Owing 70 the frozen condition OF the
canal the Coroner Is unable 10 drag Tor the ooiY