New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-12
BADER',S FIGHT FOR LIFE.
TERRIBLE STRUGGLE OF A SPECIAL OF
FICER WITH A BURGLAR

While the streets full Of people goirg to
business yesterday morning at 73o o'clock, John
Bader, special officer Of the American District Tel
egraph Company. engaged in a fierce struggle
with a coored burglar armed with at Ratchet in
the house OF Chauncey Marshall, at the corner OF
Clinton and Joraemon SITS. Bader was badly cut
in the face, and succeeded in cutting the burglar,
but the latter escaped and Is now being tracked by
the best men in the Brooklyn Police Department.
The home of Mr. Marshall has been unoccured
for three weeks. Before Mr.. Marshall left the city
he informed the American District Telegraph Com
pany. and burglar alarms were put into the house
and a officer examined the house every day. When
the burglar ticker began TO ring yesterday morn
ing 1t never entered the mind Of Bader than thieves
would be at work al that time OF the morning. 1t
was his impression that the wires had in some way
become crossed He lost no time. howeve". in
getting to the house. which u only TWO DOCKS
from the Office. Clinton and Montague SITS. There
nothing suspicious about the appearance OF the
front of the house. but Bader was cautious as he
opened the front door with a pass key and locked
1t behind him.
The Waterman stopped and listened for moment
He heard nothing. and started for the stairs lead
ing to the floor below II was dark In the house as
all the shades were drawn. Just as he reached the
head OF the stairs Bader received a blow which
staggered him. AS he put out his arms TO catch
something for support Bader's hands came In con-
tact with a man. The Waterman was not afraid
as he had been In tight pinches before. He had
been in the Navy and has a powerful physique
In an instant he had grappled with the unknown
burglar and fighting for life. Another blow
with Ratchet In the face caused him 10 drop 10 the
floor but he carried his assailant with him. and In
the darkness the rolled about in most terrinc
struggle In spite Of the fact that blood how-
ing from several wounds In his head Bader chung
to his man and finally wrenched the hatchet away
and brought 1t down with great force on the Negroes
head. When this happened, the burglar hnding
make his escape
The Waterman was too weak from loss OF blood
to follow. and 1t was several minutes before he
could get strength enough TO go to the door After
he had reached the front steps the Waterman col
lapsed entirely from weakness. In minute or so
he was discovered there By a coiored man who
works In the nelghborhood The colored man
dashed at once to the office of the American Dis
trlct Telegraph Company and Informed the officials
steps step 0 OF N Mr. NM Marshas house i took only
minute to send in call for an ambniane nee 10 tne
and s then Mr.. Powell The superintendent Of the
company, and another officer ran at top speed to
drove up. Two detectives from the Adams-st sta,
on on the @ ito mat reaehng the
They could not talk with the wounded man, as ne
Ssr too weak He wsr as 10 and dne
were administered. The detectives went 10 su me
s0sPa and sq Sss been od the
Bader told the officers that his assaiant was a
mulattO ana was ABOUT Hye rect HNe luSiicS ~
height. Later II was learned that some OF the oc-
cupants in the stables near by had seen a col
ored man pass by wiping blood from his face with
his coat sleeve. Investigation show that the burg
lar had entered the house by opening the back door
after he had broken small pane OF glass so as
to throw on the catch. II was the opening Of the
door that started the alarm In the ONCE OF the
compa ~. , -. 49, s..,.
The police express great surprise az the andacy
of the thief and astonished that ne could nave
escaped with blood running from his race ana YET
have attracted so little attention They sun pc
lieve that they will be able 10 get rach OIL the
man that he be arrested.