New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-10-31
SIRE MEYER KILLED STELIZ.
BROOKLYN POLICE IDENTIFY HIM AS CON-
sTANTINE sTEIGER WHO ONCE LIVED
NEAR THE SCENE OF THE OLD
BELL-RINGERS MURDER.
BELLrRINGER'S MURDER.

Word vas received at the Stagg-st. station
Brooklyn early yesterday morning that frnz
Meyer who shot Policeman Smith In the Church
OF the Redeemer. in East Third-st., nad oeeh
fully identified the murderer OF OLD George
Steltz, the bell-rnger OF the Church OF the Most
Holy Trinity. In Montrose-ave Brooklyn Steltz
It NAV be remembered was found dead in the
church one Sunday afternoon about two months
ago. He had been beaten with some dull IN
strument which was never found, and was then
choked TO death. Blood was all about, and on
one of the belfry steps was the imprint OF bloody
right hand with a missing forefnger. Meyers
forehnger Of the right hand is missing
When Meyers picture was received at nead-
quarters or Thursday It was found to tally closely
with No $40 The record Of $40 looked up
and found to be that OF Constantine Steiger alias
John Smith. arrested In Brooklyn on January H.
1888 charged with burglary and felonious assault,
committed in the house OF his brother-in-law.
Judge Moore sent him to the penitentiary Tor SIX
years After his release he was sentenced TO serve
five years in Sing Sing for another burglary.
It is said that the Identification Of Steiger. the
burglar with Meyer the murderer is complete
Each picture shows a mole in the same position
on the face and there other marks OF resem-
blance.
Meyer strenuously denies that he has been IN
the Eastern District for fifteen years He admitted
further that he had not given his right name TO
the police as he did not want rs wife and friends
TO know of his trouble. He admitted that he mao
been engaged in church robbery for several years
The Identification OF Constantine Steiger as me
murderer leads the police OF Brooklyn 10 oeleVe
almost beyond doubt that he Is an old resident OF
the part Of the Eastern District known as Dutch
town" 1t is thought that ne was at one time
brewer OF reputable habits. He lived In Johnson
ave- few blocks from the scene OF the horrDle
murder OF the aged bellrnger. His first arrest was
on January g. 1886 when he was taken into Gus
tody by Detective Sergeant Miller and Ofiicer An
derson Of the Raph-ave. station, on a charge Oh
burglary and felOnious assault.
10 had house
law Leonard Koeher and while attempting to loot
the place encountered his relative Never attacked
him vita an iron bar and feed him with single
blow The police arrested Steger. and had no az
nculty I'm conyicting HIM He was released May IL;
1893 and soon fell into the ways or a connrmeu
criminal He was again arrested for burglary on
five years He was released from prison on July
% 1897 and soon after n series OF church ourSla-
ries were reported to the police After the rop-
berry I'm the Church OF the Most Holy Trinity: IN
Montrose-ave on August 70. and the murder or us
tell-ringer no other church robberes were at
tempted -, -.
and officer Tracy, who arrested the prisoner ten
years ago. Went - New-York Tracy addressed me
prisoner by his right name. and the latter started
with fear turned pale and then said; NO. no. l
am not the man. not the man" Tracy. however. Is
convinced that the prisoner Is Steiger
Meyer Is eating his rations heartily In the lomos
now and has entirely abandoned MS attempt 70
cannot persuade him 70 plead not guilty u the
charge Of murder II did II, and VIII go to the
chair and there IL Of my proongins the
court fight" ne says.