The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-10-27
MURDERED IN A CHURCH.
POLICEMAN SMITH KILLED By a
BURGLAR IN THIRD sTkEET.

me Thter nae BroEon nnto tho Church OF the
Redeeuer and Fired at the Policemen
searchinE rsF nim-Ho was Caught by n
crewd and Threatened with L'nchinE.
Policeman Fred Smith OF the East Fifth street
station was shot and almost instantly killed last
night Mt midnight by Fred Meyer, a burglar,
who had entered tho Church Of the Holy Re-
deemor on Third street, between Avenue A and
Avenue b.
Meyer had forced his way into the church.
and, while roaming about inside, touched OF q
burglar alarm. which sounded in the house Of
the priests, which 10 just back Of the church.
Ono OF the priests heard 1t, and SELLING q pc.
lice whistle ran to the window.
He blew It vigorously and Policemen Smith
and William A. Conklin both heard It. They
ran to the pr ests' house and were let in by
them. Thence they proceeded to the church.
It was dark inside, but by means of candida
and matches they CROPPED about thoroughly ex-
ploring 1t. They found no ono. and no traces Of
q burglar.
There was still the school back Of the church,
which runs through and faces on Fourth street.
Smith led the way into this building, followed
by q number Of priests and their attendants.
They mounted to the first floor, and still thoro
WINS no sign OF an intruder.
Smith was always in the lead, and while the
others were peoring about in the big school.
room on this floor Smith entered a room which
faced on Fourth street. He had a candle in his
hand.
Scarcely had no opened tho door when Conklin
and the priests heard two pistol shots. a groan,
and the sound OF a heavy fall.
In another second there came TO them tho
patter OF running feet and the crash of breaking
glass. Conklin drew his revolver and dashed
forward.
As he pushed open the door he saw q figure
disappearing through tho window, carrying
part Of the frame with it.
Conkl !. jun cd for the window. The figure
was running toward Avenue A. Across the
street stood a number OF men.
stop him - yelled Conklin. and tho mon
started in pursuit.
The fugitive brandished a Jimmy in one hand
and q revolver in tho other, but this did not
stop the men.
They sprang upon the man, knocking him
down. Charles Technor got his arms around tho
burglars arms and Max Smith took the burg.
lars revolver away.
Hendricks wrenched the jimmy from the
burglars hand. striking the burglar on the head,
causing the blood to flow.
Charles Veitze Of los East Fourth street came
along and rendered assistance. helping to hold
the burglar until a policeman arrived.
Policeman Smith was found lying upon the
llUOI uuIohSSluub, uIb lhCC CONoTou Win OlOOQ.
An examination showed that one bullet had
struck him in the m nth, breaking several Of
his teet'. ard passing through his head. coming
out at the base OF his skull.
While one Of the priests was administering
the last rites Of the church to tho injured man
Smith breathed his last.
The prisoner was taken to the station house,
followed by a big crowd, many Of whom threw
stones at him and made efforts to get hold of
him.
The crowd kept shouting: Lynch him! Kill
him.
The noise made by tho crowd as they neared
the police station attracted the police reserve
squad and the crowd was driven away.
When the prisoner was arraiRned in the sta.
ton house before the Sergeant's desk Capt.
Herlihy questioned him.
The prisoner admitted that he had gone into
the church to steal. and shot at Smith intending
to scare him.. not knowing at tho time that
Smith was a policeman.
He further said that he got into the church at
7o'clock in the evening. and hid himself there
until he believed 1t was safe for him to begin
work.
Policeman Smith was married and resided at
81 Avenue A. He had gone on duty at mid.
night. He had been q member of the force for
fifteen years.