The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-06-19
MOULTON UPHELD.
Inspector Archibald Says
He Did His Best With
the Burglar.

Inspector Archibald this morning COM
pleted his investigation of the allegation
that Patrolman Moulton of Fourth pre-
cinct, had failed to use proper energy, for
the capture of man who was seen climb
ing fences in back yards of the block
bounded by Pacific avenue, Communipaw
avenue, Halliday street and Lafayette
street, last Thursday morning. The re-
port says:
"Moulton was standing on Halliday
street near Communipaw avenue, when
he saw man climb over the fence of No
105 Halliday street, which is on the cor
ner of Halliday street The officer ran
and climbed over the fence, and saw the
man continue in his fight. He called to
him to halt, fired two shots at him and
blew an alarm whistle. The officer
climbed three fences until he reached the
yard of Mrs. Danforth at No. 10112. There
he found light in the house and the pep
pie up and awake. The fugitive appar-
emily made an effort to get into the base
ment in order to get away from the Off
eer- In this yard clothes were hanging
on the line. The fugitive got up on
shed. his movements at this time being
concealed from the officer by wrapper
which was hanging on the line The ofti-
Ger saw the fugitive as he was getting off
the shed. Moulton climbed up and lost
sight of him, and concluded that he had
gone to Pacific avenue through the
driveway and alleyway of Mr.. Smalls
property.
"At this time Patroman Egan, who
had been standing on the corner of Pacific
avenue and Lafayette street. heard the
shooting and alarm whistle by Moulton.
He ran around to Halliday street to the
driveway referred to, where he saw
Moulton on the shed. Moulton told Egan
that he believed the man had run to-
wards Pacific avenue, and to go around
that way Moulton was right in his sup
position because Mrs. Gallagher, who
lives at No. 2e4 Pacific avenue and who
was looking at the chase from her back
window, saw the fugitive run through to
Pacific avenue by way of the alleyway
referred to- when she went to the front
window and saw the man run across
Pacific avenue towards DR.. 7Lampson
''Moulton then went back to Lafayette
street where he saw Private Detective
Francis, armed with revolver and club
who had just come from the scene
wanted Moulton to follow him into the
house of Mr.. Danforth. The officer very
properly refused to do So. as he had
been in Mr.. Danforth's yard and knew
no thief had entered the house. Mr.,
Danforth, his wife and another lady, all
of whom were awake, fully corroborated
Mouton and spoke in the highest terms
of his conduct.
"If there ever was a time when the
man on post and his side partner We're
on time when wanted. this was the time.
The fact that they didn't catch the fugi-
tive was unfortunate, but it was not
through any lack of energy on their
part The vigilance of Moulton in dis
covering the man jump over the fence
and his prompt action thereafter. prevent-
ed crime, if crime was intended. As to
whether the man in the back yard was
a burglar or not the police have no means
of knowing. If he was thief he is the
first one the police have ever known to
it away What his object could have
been for doing SO is mystery to the
police as it was an ordinary outing shirt,
evidently had been worn, as it was
soied around the neck and wrist band.