davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-01-09
TRIED FOR KILLING.
Latest Phase Of the Fatal Due
Between William Fitzhugh
and Abraham Curtis.

The story of the exciting duel which
was fought with revolvers by William
Fitzhugh and Abraham Curtis, two ne
groes, on June "a, in Charles Jackson sa-
LOOM No. As Montgomery street, was re-
told in the General Sessions Court today
at the trial of Fitzhugh for the killing
of Curtis The indictment against him is
for manslaughter He is being defended
by Lawyer William Klink and former
Judge William 7. Hoffman Prosecutor
Erwin represents the State. He said, in
his opening, that he expected to prove
that the killing was without sufficient
provocation.
1t was jealousy that prompted Curtis
to go cunning for Fitzhugh Curtis was
cook in the Pullman service. He was
about sixty-five years old and lived with
a woman who was reputed to be his wife.
She was much younger than he and he
had frequent fits of jealousy. He was
particularly jealous of Fitzhugh, whom
he had occasionally seen with the alleged
Mrs. Curtis. On the night of the duel
there were several colored men in Jack
sons saloon, Fitzhugh being one or
them. Curtis entered the place and look
ed around for few moments. When ne
spied Fitzhugh he walked toward him.
A few words passed, and in another
moment the two men had their revolvers
drawn and We're blazing away at each
other The people lin the place began
lodging and there was scene of intense
excitement. When Fitzhugh had empt1ed
his revolver he ran out of the front door
with Curtis in hot pursuit. Curtis fired
two more shots al he ran and chased
F'itzhugh in the direction of Washington
street. Two soldiers. who We're passing,
intercepted him and turned him over 10
a policeman. When it was found that ne
had been wounded he was taken to the
City Hospital, where he died the next
day.
that the autopsy he made disclosed two
bullet wounds and two scalp wounds; one
of the bullets penetrated the abdomen
and lower part of the liver. lHat was
the fatal wound
Charles Jackson, the proprietor Of the
saloon, testified that he was sitting down
with his back toward the door when
Curtis entered.
My attention was attracted he con-
tinued, 'by hearing Fitzhugh say: Don't
you pull anything on me; If you DO Il
put it on YOU You've beeen Threatening
me long, l looked around and saw that
Curtis had his hand in his hip pocket:
Fitzhugh was holding Curtis hand; |
was about to go over to separate them
when they bOtn stepped Ddcn. pu4isu
their guns and began shooting. Fitzhugh
ran out of the door after emptying his
revolver and Curtis chased him. Curtis
fired two more shots
The witness said that he had Always
found the defendant 70 be quiet peace
able man.
Peter Ashton, the bartender. eorroao-
rated Jackson's testimony. Beth of them
declared that 1t was impossible for Fitz-
hugh to get away before Curtis bega
firing at him. The care will go to the jay
today.
The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-01-09
YOUNG HIGHWAYMEN.
A Gang of Hoboken HoodIums
That Robs Children
Caught.

For some time past the police of the
Second Precinct, Hoboken, have received
numerous complaints from uptown resi-
dents that their children nave been rob-
bed by a gang of boys who hung out in
the vicinity of the Erie Railroad tracks.
The police descended upon the gang yes
terday and succeeded in capturing four Of
the members
Edward Daily, aged twelve years, of No.
457 West Thirtieth street, New York, and
William Wagner, aged fifteen, of No 459
West Thirtieth street. same city, were
walking along the Erie Railroad tracks
yesterday afternoon. AT the foot of Four
teenth street the two boys We're set upon
by the gang, numbering about ten in all.
They were thrown to the ground and held
down while two of the gang went through
their pockets. They succeeded in getting
twelve cents and a pair of gloves Wag-
ner had NO money on his. person, so the
young highwaymen tried to take his over
coat, but he succeeded in getting away
before they could get it off him.
The two boys went Immediately in search
of police officer. They found Policeman
Harrison on Twelfth street. The officer
went to the scene and captured four Of
the gang. At the SECOND precinct they
said they were:-George Cannon, aged Il
years, Of No. 3OS Jefferson street; Charles
Gwinett, aged IA, Of No. 609 Grand street;
Joseph Gwinett. aged 49, OF Nc. 6Q9 Graad ei,d
Grand street, and Joseph Rogers, aged IS,
Of No. 81 Grand street. The latter pris-
oner has but one leg, and hobbled inio
court with the aid of a crutch.
The two boys who were held up were
detained at the Second precinct over night
as witnesses
tette to the County Jail in default of $5O0
bail, to answer the charge of larceny.
The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-01-09
GRAVE NEWS FROM LO|L0 /
All Indications Declare That
a Conflict Is IN
avoideble.
[By Gable to The Associated Press.1

by CaDle TO Inc Associated ffeSS-I
LONDON, Jan. 8, 1S99-The Filipino
committees in Paris, Madrid and London
telegraphed on SaturdaySo President Me-
Kinley The Paris desp&eh read:
I'VE protest against.the disembarkation
of American troops at Iloilo.''
The London telegram said:-.Treaty of
Peace still unratif1ed. American claim of
sovereignty premature. Pray reconsider
resolution regarding Iloilo. Filipinos wish
for the friendship of America and abhor
militarism and deceit"
representative of the Associated
Press learns that the Filipino Junta of
Paris has received a telegram from the
Filipino agent at Hong Kong, dated Sat-
urday, and saying:--
Fight with Americans unavoidable. We
are not the aggreSsors-
A telegram from an English house at
Manila today says the situation is very
strained and that there is much anxiety
there The despatch also contained news
from Iloflo, the substance of which was
that the American troops had not yet
landed.
The members of the Filipino Junta dis
credit a statement published in the
"Globe'' here this afternoon saying the
United States Government has ordered
AgoEcillo the representative of Aguinal-
do, to leave Washington. They say they
surely would have heard the news if it
had been true.
Mail advices from the so-called Filipino
government, received here today, say thar
Aguinaldo has decided that all foreign
trade entering ports under Filipino control
will be admitted on the payment Of a
all export trade is liable to duty of one
Der cent. ad yalOreIn.
The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-01-09
A FAKE SUICIDE.
Young Bremmerman Changes
His Mind When Taken to
the Police Station.

While officer DAWN was standing at
Eleventh and Washington streets. Ho-
boken, Saturday night, he was accosted
by a young man who said that he was
tired of living and guessed he would
shuttle off .'Ive supplied myself with
poison he said.
The officer kept an eye on the young
man. while he went to drug store about
block away. He inquired of the drug
clerk whether he had sold any poison to
a young man The druggist said that he
had scid some cyanide of potassium to a
young man who had just left his store.
From the description the officer gave. of
the young man the druggist identified him
as the person to whom he had sold the
poison The purchaser. the clerk said,
told him that he wanted TO kill dog
with It
Officer DAWN placed the young man un
der arrest for safe keeping. fOn the way
to the stAtionhouse Bremmerlnan handed
the officer The bottle of poison, and said
that he didn't mean to commit suicide al
Ter all. When arraigned before Recorder
Stanton yesterday morning, the young
man said his name was Walter Bremmer-
man. that he was nineteen years old, and
lived at Eighty-sixth street and Amster-
dam avenue. New York He said he was
formerly engaged in the real estate busi-
ness in Hoboken Young Bremmermaa
pleaded with the Recorder to discharge
him. and he would not threaten TO take
his life again The Recoroer gave the
young man a severe reprinand and let
him go.
having lived there for a number of years.
The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-01-09
RECKLESS BANK ROBBERY
Burglars Evidently Amateurs
Wreck. an Entire Building
With Dynamite.

ASHBURNdAAM, Mass, Jan. 9, 1S99.-
The safe of the First National Bank of
Ashburnham was blown, to pieces by
dynamite about two o'clock this morning.
The interior of the bank was badly wreck
ed and all windows were blown out A
smu of money estimated at from 81 800 to
1900 is missing. There is no clue to the
robbers
The discovery of the robbery was made
by Deputy Sheriff William H. Richardson,
whose home is next to the bank building
on Main street. The deputy was aroused
by the shock of a heavy explosion which
made his house tremble and made the
windows rattle. Deputy Richardson
hastily dressed himself and ran out of the
house. He soon found that the explosion
came from the bank and he at once gave
the alarm and a thorough examination of
the place was made.
The bank is on the second floor of
two-setory brick building. The street
door of the main entrance had been fore.
ed open with a jimmy and similar pro-
cess was applied to the door of the bank
upstairs. The burglars evidently charg-
ed the iron safe heavily with dynamite
for the safe had been blown to pieces.
Two of its doors were found half way
across the road and bar of iron had
been blown through a window and near
ly across the street All the windows in
the place were demolished and the fur
nitura was badly splintered. A large
quantity of notes and drafts and about
$l00 in money was found scattered about
the floor.
Cashier o. =. Sawyer who arrived at
the building early, at once began an ex-
animation of his books and valuables.
Owing to the complete wreck of the safe
his task was a difficult one, but early
this forenoon he made an estimate that
the robbers had taken at least 81, 500 and
perhaps the plunder might amount to
$1,000
The loss to the building will probably
amounis to $1,000
1t is not believed that any large guam
tity of notes or drafts was taken.
Deputy Sheriff Richardson is of the
OPINION that the war was done by anna
teurs The general appearance of the
piace: indicated that the burglars had
worked recklessly, and from the havoc
cseated it is judged that their knowledge
of safe-blowing was limited. The author
tiles have in mind the work done recently
by burglars at the Bethel Maine, Savings
Bank, the Wrentham National Bank the
Phenix National Bank OF Phenix, r. /,
and a Vermont bank within the past few
months although there is nothing in the
these banks were visited by the same
men
The ROBBERS entered the town very
quietly and evidently succeeded in reach
ing the bank without being seen 1t is
thought they came here with team and
left by the same means as no trains were
running for some time before and after
the explosion occurred
The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-01-09
s!LBERsDoRFFS' NEW OFFICERS.

The NJ C. F. Silbersdorff Association
held its annual meeting yesterday after
noon at Groeschel's Hail. Oakland and
Beacon avenues. The following officers
were elected:-M. C. f. Silbersdorff, pres
ident; Joseph Klobut, vice president; F.
F. Backert, secretary; ]. A. Seeger, treas
urer; John Thiele, sergeant-at-arms.
The newly appointed Finance Commit
tee consists of Michael Milk. William
Grunnewald and Albert Goetz.
A new entertainment committee was
also appointed, consisting of Messrs
George Strothman, Edward Groeschel and
William Grunnewald.
There was large attendance OF men,
hers and the reports of the secretary and
treasury showing the association to be
in fiourishing condition were received
with enthusiasm
After the meeting a banquet, served by
Caterer Groeschel, was enjoyed, anu
speech making. songs and recitations fol-
The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-01-09

personal supervision and direction of Mr..
Davis himself Speaking of the fair, he
said, this morning.
81 am naturally very proud of the man
irrespective of political creeds have con-
tributed to our fair Every member of
the association, / know, feels as ! do,
very grateful for the answer to their ap-
peals for subscription or gifts. The mem
bers of committees and Individual MEM
bers have all worked assiduously for the
success of the fair, and they are all en-
titled to much praise for their work.
We will put up building worthy of the
city,
At the opening tonight there will be
great gathering of prominent men, and
they won't be all Democrats either.
In thanking the members of the associa-
tion generally for their work, Mr.. Davis
desires to thank the ladies The fair ar
rangements could never have been suc-
cessfully carried out had not their aid been
obtained. In the several wards the ladies
have collected large sums of money and
gifts, and the wife of one member has
been out daily in her carriage hunting lip
the names on her husbands list. Others
have. been equally active and the members,
of the association feel deeply their obli-
cations to their fair assistants.
From very early hour this morning
all those in charge of booths have been
in the fair rooms unpacking, unfolding,
busting, cleaning, fixing and arranging
generally the thousand and one articles
sent in, and it is wonderful what charm
ing and striking effects in grouping these
ladies have produced GivenAa few plants.
piece of drapery, and a chair OF two,
woman can transform a sgarret into
salon. One can, therefore, easily infer
what they achieved with the plentiful
material at hand.
The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-01-09
LlEDERK RAM CLUBS OFFICERS.

The Liederkranz Singing Society last
night elected the following new officers
F. Ehlbeck, president; Bernard Graischer,
first vice president; Charles Letsch, sec
ond vice president; w. Landwehr, treas
urer: Edward Menzel corresponding sec
retary: c. Voting, financial secretary;
Alfred Rummler and c. F. Hirsch, IL
bra-sans s..-t.
,,f.-fsharles r Hartman Henry Woerms-
i3acfler. Theodore Politely and August Gem
eel. o,,,x;s+.
,,f,nsS.barles Sperling. Richard Walter, A.
Never and Henry Woermsbacher
The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-01-09
M'EWAN AS A DAM.
He Will Try to Stop the New
Wholesome Water Supply
for Jersey City.

Mayor Hoos this morning received a
letter from Thomas McEwan, informing
him that he would call at the office in
a Few days and discuss the water problem
with him. So far the Mayor has received
no letters of complaint from property
owners as to the form or provisions of
the proposed Flynn contract Nor has a
suggestion been made to His Honor. That
fact, to Mr.. McEwan, means that there
is lack of interest in the matter in GER
tain local YES. With his accustomed mod
esty Mr.. McEwan writes that he and
about hundred others will soon inter-
pose protests against the contract. The
x-Congressman asks the Mayor to delay
action for a week or So In the mean
time Mr.. McEwan is going to take It
upon himself to work up an agitation
against the contract.
Mayor Hoos has no intention of rushing
matters. He said this morning that mas
much as he had promised to give prop
on the subject, he would do nothing to
shut out a full and free discussion of the
question.
1t is not positively known just when the
Mayor proposes acting, but in view OF the
request from Mr. McEwan it is likely
that action will be deferred for at least
another week. The ex-Congressman, II 10
on the subject He will distribute copies
after he has had an interview with the
Mayor. The hundred or more protestants
Mr McEwan speaks of, If they material
ize at all. will come it is said, from the
Hudson City section. The ex-Congress-
man, 1t is alleged, has made it appear to
many people that if the contract is signed
the tax rate will go up to the. three per
cent limit
Mayor Hoos, it is pretty well known,
will sign the contract. The ex-Congress-
reputed, certiorari the action of the
awarding Boards as soon as Mayor Hoos
makes disposition of the contract.
The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-01-09
SEVENTH WARD DEMOCRATS.
They Will Make Good Appearance
at the Davis Fair.

A meeting of the United Democratic
Club of the Seventh Ward will be held
tonight in the New York Bay House,
Ocean and Wilkinson avenues. The cleo
ton of officers will take place as Will
also the installation. Other business of
Importance will be transacted, after
which all the members will attend the
fair of the Robert Davis Association.
Several more donations have been re-
ceived by the Seventh Ward Democrats
for the Davis Association fair. One is
handsome clay statue, entitled kissing
at the Well'' This was given by Zeiger
Bros of Greenville All the books from
the Seventh ward have been turned in,
a neat sum being realized.
The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-01-09
DISCRIMINATING cOPPEERI'SS.
Make Small Fry Suffer and Al
low the Big Dives TO viola.e
the Law.

Police Justice Nevin, in the First Grim
inal Court, this morning, scored the po-
lice of the Gregory street station for dis
eliminating in making arrests for viola
tion of the Sunday liquor law. Patrolmen
Driscon and Pangborn yesterday raided
the saloon of Bernard Lennon, on Wash
ington street. near Montgomery street.
The proprietor was arrested for keeping
a disorderly house and for selling liquor
on Sunday. Thirteen men and one wom-
an, found in the place, were arrested as
disorderly persons.
Patrolman Driscoll, it appears, conduct
ed the raid He had as his first witness
Stephen Bubacky, of No. 21S Washington
street. He sent Bubacky into the sa-
loon to get evidence and then followed
and arrested these persons he found in
the place Justice Nevin declared that
Driscoll had no right to send any one
into the place on such an errand and
refused to listen to Bubacky's testimony
Patrolman Driscol was the next wit
ness. He was dealt with in a severe man
ner by Police Justice Nevin. He told how
he saw woman enter the. saloon and
then gave a description Oh MS pfllilant
raid upon the place.
Neither you nor your Captain" said
Justice Nevin -"had any right to Send any
one into that place. Why is this place
singled out when you knew, and all the
police knew that every saloon IN the pre-.
cinct is open on Sunday? There snail pc
no discrimination in this court. All or
none must be proceeded against, conse-
onently the charge of selling liquor on
Sunday will be dismissed"
on the charge of keeping disorderly
house. Driscoll said he had seen women
of a questionable character take men
from Lemons saloon to the Phliadeipnla
Hotel. -
about said Justice Nevin. i stated IN
the court on the Hill that there was a
vile den down town that should be closed
up. meant the Philadelphia Hotel. on
say you have seen women take men 70
this place. Why did you not pull i?
ssBecause'' said Driscoll, Il did not
know what they were going there for. II
was none of my business.
ssWell, you are nice specimen OF
police officer" retorted Justice Nevin.
Driscoll stated the names of some of the
could not remember the dates.
Justice Nevin told him that If he ex-
pected to succeed in the police business
he would have to cultivate some kind OF
a, memory. Policeman Pangborn gave
much the same evidence as Driscoll.
Police Justice Nevin directed both officers
to make complaint against the Philadel-
mia Hotel Lennon was held in $500 ball
for the Grand Jury The others, with the
exception of George Tormey, who had
been before the Court before, were dis
charged, Tormey was fined 81.
The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-01-09
MURDERERS SANG.
Unusual Scenes at the Electro
cution of Bailey Decker,
Colored.

NEW YORK, Jan. g. 1S98.-Bafley Deck
er, colored, was put to death by electricity
in Sing Sing prison today for the murder
of his white wife. The current was
turned on at %, and at 11:27 he was
pronounced dead. Two shocks awere
given him.
After the current had been turned on,
the mask fell from the dying mans face,
otherwise the execution was a success
Decker seemed cool and his nerve did
not desert him up to the last. When
he sat down in the death chair he had
a smile on his face. 1t took but a few
seconds to adjust the straps and the elec-
trodes Decker continued to move his
lips as in prayer, when the signal was
given at II 20 to turn on the current. Two
shocks were given before life was ex-
tinct. For ten seconds the first shock
was continued at voltage of 1,7S0, and
then the current was reduced to 300
volts, at which it was continued for fif-
ty seconds. Then the current was turned
off for the first time. DR.. irvine, the
prison physician, went up beside the
chair and examined Decker. He decided
at II rs to administer a second shock. 1t
minutes at 1,7S0 volts. At 11:27 Decker
was pronounced dead and his body was
taken from the chair.
When the mask over the face of the
condemned man fell, the eyes showed and
were wide open.
The crime for which Bailer Decker was
executed in the electric chair was commit
ted il Tottenville, S.. l., about one
o'clock on the morning of May 25, last.
Decker's wife was whitet woman OF
Perth Amboy. He was an oysterman,
but worked only occasionally. He was
Jealous of his wife, and on the might OF
the murder went to his home in drunk
en- rage and threatened her with violence.
Mrs. Decker fled from the house dressed
only in her nightgownl Her husband fol-
lowed and catching up with her shot
her in the back. The bullet made fatal
wound. Decker then fired a bullet into
11is own abdomen with the intention OF
committing suicide, but he recovered.
His Indictment and trial with convie-
tion followd He was sentenced to be
executed during the week beginning No
yember 10 last. An appeal put off his
execution. as the Court of Appeals did
not decide against him until November q
Then the date of execution was fixed for
today. A last effort was made few days
ago for executive clemency but Governor
Roosevelt would not interfere.
Just before Decker started his short
walk from his cell to the execution rooonl,
he requested of Warden Sage that the
other four murderers in the condemned
cells be permitted to sing Comrades. y
The warden granted the wish, and Decker
joined in the singing of the song. lie
sang in clear tenor voice.
When the door of his cell was opened
he grasped Warden Sage by the hand and
held tightly The Warden took this as
a sign of nervousness and told Decker
that death in the electric chair was pain
less This seemed to steady Decker, for
he released his hold on the Warden and
showed no signs of breaking down after
ward
The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-01-09
HARRISON WILL PAY up.

The officials of Harrison today notified
water Registrar Peckham that they
would make a payment on their water
bill by the first of the month, Harri-
sons indebtedness is creeping up into the
The Street and Water Com
missioners need the money to pay cur
rent claims and they are pressing Har-
rison for settlement.
The threat has been made that the
water supply will be cut off If arrange
rents are not made to pay the whole
i'm within three months. Harrison will
commence comm to collect water rents in March
and fhe Street and Water Commissioners
want the first money received.
The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-01-09
WESTERN UNION PLEADS

John B. Bertholf, local manager of the
Western Union Telegraph Company, was
arraigned in the General Sessions Court
today to plead to the Indictment for aid-
ing and abetting green goods swindlers in
their operations. He was represented by
Lawyer Allan L. McDermott who also APP
peared for the company. Mr.. McDermott
first entered plea of not guilty for the
he desired the plea to be without prejudice
to the defendant.
1--WE reserve the right" he said, to
withdraw it a any time, and make mo-
tion to the Court.
Bertholf pleaded not guilty. Judge
Blair fixed the bail at 2,500 and Nathaniel
E. Smith became security for the defend
ants appearance.