The sun., 1896-06-29
KILLED BY A POLICEMAN.
SONG WRITER THoRNToN'a BROTH
ER SHOT IN TIE STREET.

lot hlGhwAy X bherE. thc ROtico SnY
ne Bnntchod The Biueconps Club and
Attacked Him iIis wiCe Saw Him shot.
Thomas T. Thornton, brother of James Thorn
ton. song writer and concert-hal singer, was
shot dead early yesterday morning by Police
man William J. Allingham of the West Twen-
ticth street station. The shooting occurred In
West Twenty fifth street, between Seventh and
Eighth avenues. There are three versions of
tho shooting, two given by tho dead mans
brother and his common-law wife, who saw him
killed. and the police story, which Is probably
the correct one.
According to his version, Policeman Alling-
ham. when on post in Eighth avenue. north of
Twenty fth street, at 9 O'Clock. heard some one
shouting for help. Allingham to the corner
Of Twenty-ffth street, and looking east saw
three mon struggling on the south side Of the
street in the centre of the block. AS he started
toward tho men ono of them fell, or was
knocked down. The other two men ran west
into the arms Of the policeman. He grabbed both
of them and hustled them back to the third
man who was proetrate on the sidewalk. His
face covered with blood, and there was q
lump on one side Of his head.
did these men do anything to you ?" asked
Policeman Allingham. as he pushed his two
prisoners in front of him so that the prostrate
man could soc them.
Yes. they did," was the reply. "They tried
TO rob me-"
Get up on your feet then, and como to the
station and make complaint" said Alling-
ham. turning his two prisoners toward Eighth
avenue.
Allingham walked between the two men he
had nabbed. He had grip on each mans arm.
and his night stick was under his right arm.
When the three were in front OF 24O West
Twenty fifth street. a few feet from the spot
vrh fho hold nf, had aha- ,,la NO.,
Thornton. who was nearest tho curbstone.
stopped suddenly and said to his brother John.
who was on the other side of the policeman:
Let's take Q chance"
They both began to struggle to free them
selves and Thomas Thornton wrepched himself
loose. As ne did SO he grasped Allingham's
club and pulled Il from under his arm. He
jumped in front of Policeman Allingham. who
backed q STOP dragging John Thornton with
him.
"Give mo back my club" he said to Tom
Thornton.
With the night stick uplifted Thornton ad-
vanced on the policeman. AS he stopped for
ward Allingham, with his free right hand.
pulled his revolver. He pointed 1t at Thomas
who laughed and said:
ITO hell with your gun"
Thornton was close to the policeman and his
struggling prisoner BY this time. He still held
tu0 SAuN uphihoa- <ab uo attcmptea " oEink II
down on the policemans head Allingham fred
Thornton reeled and fell on his face. The
noise Of the shot brought the residents Of the
relieved Aiiinsham Of lis p prisoner. som oa' % 'D'"
rushed across the street she kneit beside tho
wounded man and began to scream. She turned
saii q blood reEed down Ss shirt
front from over his heart.
.hs Woman as she passonately s " kissed iAaad and
hugged the wounded man.
screamed the woman a policeman dragged
Ap ambulance arrived a moment later and
Thornton was pronounced dead by the surgeon.
HIS body was @ carried TO the West Twe1tieth
viously been locked up on a charge OF highwsy
robbery on the complaint Of the nan the broth
eabinetmaEer rs years old, e' OF 1si r Mes. TWen
ty-ifth street.
Some time after the dead mans body had
been brought to the station house, Agnes
Thornton, his common-law wife appeared
turbance In the police station that Acting Cap
tain Walsh ordered her locked up on a charge Of
tntoIication. Mrs Thornton denies that sne was
was weeping over the body of her husband on
the street where he was shot down.
port of the shooting to Acting Captain Walsh.
he was suspended pending an investigation as
Ned. Coroner Dobbs, was notified and after
viewing Thornton's body he granted permit
nrhsn IN Capt waSs custody the A.
quest on Thursday. When he tried to get a
brother he refused to say nythng
Mrs Thornton. after giving her pedigree at the
the West Thirtieth street station where there is
matron. She told Coroner Dobbs that her
rst street late saturday afternoon @ V Saying that
hew was going to meet his brother James. the song
d try @ seT g. n
seyenth avenue and Twenty-fifth @ street. Ds' %
and waited several minutes after the appointed
time for her husband. AS he didn't appear. she
frequently before had met him in front Of the
Utah House on the northeast corner Of Twenty
street walking eastward. She didn't recognize
apoiceman ran up, behind them and. drawing
arevolver. fired a shot a, one Of the men. AS
across the street to where he was lying. She
said she saw no struggle, and did not see her
Mrs. Thornton and her brother -in-iaw were
taken to Jefferson Market Court yesterday
wss esqEsd
tion and Thornton with highway rob berry. Cab
% s
trial. Mrs; Thornton denied that she was 10.
su shs the h
Magistrate kudlich sent her to tho work house.
When the the Mags,rate ~ yas s INFORMED OF the kill
he said she could be found on the Island II she
was wanted
Martin Jansen. 81 years old. of 800 Seventh
avenue, who told the police that he witnessed
the shooting. was sent to the House OF Deten-
ton As Q witness.
Mrs. Thornton talked to Sun reporter after
she had been locked up In the court prison. and
repeated the story she told to Coroner Dobbs.
John Thornton. when seen In his cell. said he
was innocent OF the charge Of robbery on which
he was held He said that while he was stand
ing on tho corner Of Eighth avenue and Twenty
fifth street waiting for his brother he saw him
separate the men .A!lingham came up and.
grabbing him. shot his brother. Thornton said
acted as II he had been drinking.
James Th9rnton who is playing an engage;
of his brother's death. lie is expected here to
take charge OF the body. His wife. Bonnie
songs. called at the Morgue In the afternoon
and Inquired as TO the result OF the autopsy on
ihSS Svsiyo 5icGy OF % the dead man man made by c2roners
related to Thomas r. Thornton ?" she answered,