New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-08-30
MURDERS BY BURGLARS.
CASES SIMILAR TO THAT AT BEDFORD
STATION

SECURED AGAINST ANY OF THOSE ENGAGED
INA ROBBERY THAT LEADS TO HOMICIDE.
The killing Of Walker b. Adams by burglars at
Bedford Station on the morning OF August 20 has
already been to n great degree avenged. TWO OF
the burglars. including probably the one who hred
the fatal shot. have died from the effects OF
wounds inflicted by Mr.. Adamss young son in the
encounter with the murderous criminals one OF
the burglars however st1 remains in custody. and
his case will be brought before the criminal court
he RECEIVERS from his wound the
nature Of the accusation against him will be de-
cded by the prosecuting officers, but there Is
little doubt that Indictment for murder in the
first degree will be found against him. As he did
not himself fire the shot that killed Mr.. Adams
persons not familiar with the criminal law might
think II difficult to convict him Of SO great an OIL
fence The story Of other notable cases In
the criminal annals OF this and other States would
indicate that the laws are so framed and so con-
strucd by the courts to render 1t easy to con-
vct of the highest degree of murder one who is
concerned in burglary in TIE carrying out of
which homicide committed.
A SIMILAR CASE.
a crime which in many respects resembles that
committed at Bedford Station the burglary
at the drygoods store of Habert Brothers. in the
city Of Bnghamton on the morning of August II.
ISL Gilbert 5. Burrows and Frederick A. Mirrck,
clerks employed by Habert Brothers. were asleep
in the store. and about 2:30 o'clock in the morning
were awakened by a noise They found three
men in disguise standing by their bedside. They
jumped TO their feet. and Mrrick seized his re-
volvcr and snapped IT twice at the burglars. Two
Of them ran downstairs. and Burrows seized the
third man. who had n chscl in his hand. Burrows
obtained possession of the chse and struck his
prisoner several blows The man uttered cries for
help. and his two companions returned to assist
him. Mrrick seized one of the men and Burrows
attempted to AXE hold OF the other. The one
whom Burrows met drew revolver and, after
shooting at and slightly wounding Burrows. went
over to Mrrlck and. holding the pistol near the
head OF the clerk. fred shot which caused Mir
ricks death within hour The three burglars
then ran away.
The next day two bodies found in the river
at Binehamton. and were identified as those OF two
Of the criminals. The third man. who gave several
names after his arrest. but who was indicted as
Edward II. Rulon placed on trial on the
charge of murder. Burrows. the surviving clerk
identified Ruloff as Of the men who had en-
tered the store and he believed that It was he who
fired the shot The testimony that point was
not however strong, and the case was sent to the
Jury on the theory that If he Of the pris-
oners engaged in the crime he was guilty OF muir
der in the first degree. even II he did not himself
fire the fatal shot The law now includes in the
description Of murder in the first degree the kill
ing Of a human being. without design to cf-
feet death. by a person engaged in the commission
Of or In an attempt TO commit felony, either
upon or affecting the person killed or otherwise
so that conviction Of Il person engaged in bur
giary In the course of which homicide is com
mi:tod Is easier than under the law in force when
the earlier cases were decided.
CONVICTED OF FIRST DEGREE MURDER.
Rulon was convicted Of murder in the first de-
gree. and his conviction was affirmed by the high
est court Tho opinion Is one Of the leading
authorities the question Of homicide committed
under such circumstances. single sentence on
the Judges charge which was sustained by the
highest court groups together the circumstances
which make this case memorable. THE character
Of the prisoner his previous history, the stealthy
entrance into the store. the nosecss step. the
gathered plumber. the sudden appearance Of the
felons at the bedside Of the clerks, their arousal
from sleep. Il grapple for life the retreat OF the
two burglars their quick work the encounter
with Mrrlck the shots fired by the third felon.
his temperance. his approach to Mirrick. the
shot the DEATH the fight. the retreat to the river
the unseen and probably instantaneous cngulfng Of
two Of the fclons I'm the waters Of the Chenango,
the retreat Of the third burglar. his non-appear-
ance unless he is here in the person Of the prison
or the fight + Rulon under the cover OF the
night his arrest. his attempted escape. the bodies
Of the dead burglars presented before him. the
scenes upon that occasion, the circumstances that
were from tine to time developed, the revelation
of this mans identity with Ruof through Judge
Balcom the public excitement. the crowd Whch
attend upon this Investigation all tend to give
this case "A dramatic and thrilling interest seldom
seen and are likely to make IT one Of the most
prominent trials in the annals Of criminal juris-
prudence"
In several other Ncw-York cases the killing OF
househoders or storckeepers by burglars mas be'h
declared to be murder in the first degree Among
the most noted criminals in recent years who have
suffered the death penalty under these rulings Of
the Court OF Appeals Michael f. McGloin.
the Young garg-eader who originated the phrase
often quoted by criminals since. "A man amt
a tough till he's knocked his man out McGloln.
and probably other members OF his gang. attempted
ia rob liquor store kept by Louis Iian!er.
rrenchman in West Twenty-sixth-st.. on the
morning of September %. 1851. The building was
two-story frame house. and lIanier occupied the
upper floor as his dwelling. He heard noise and
going 10 the head OF the stairs. was shot 10y
burglar standing below. McGoin afterward told |
a companion OF the crime which ne had committed
and largely through his confession he was
convicted.
KILLING OF LYMAN 5. WEEKS.
The killing Of Lyman 5 Weeks. At NO loH DE
Kalb-aye on the night Of March i' I'M. erea''i
intense excitement among residents OF that part
or BROOKLYN The mystery surrounding the CRIME
us long unsolvcd. but two years later John
crocuwaU was convicted for murder IN the hrSt
,r.o for his part in the affair. and he an"rwaid
'.e,..d death Greenwan indicted with |
o,hers but he alone brought to trial
rho fatal assault upon Christian w Luca' 'he !
erocer AT High and jay SITS brooklyn occurred
on August q. 1883 Charles MchNa'he' ,he You"s
,,,al Who committed the act. entered the Soc
, eo,,r window which he reached by ladder |
and being discovered. assaulted Luca ana stabbed
hir, ,wclve times with knife. In this case also
3D., court Of Appeals affirmed the conviction oil
murder in the hrst "eEr'e WIZ" Wv
committed 10y burglar
-. l,har states crimes of a similar nature have |
- ,,,isbad with "A like severity even where |
,ho ,'rson placed on trial had not himself given
Wv, 1,, Nov. or fired the fatal shot one OF the |
,r,rrinal authorities referred 10 in the law book |
& that Of the California court IN me case oi ~ |
,,, vasguoz who. with several companions
,i, Nexicans or Suaniards made a raid |
apo ,.,il,re Of Tres Pinos. in Monterey coun- |