New-York tribune., 1900-04-18

Governor Roosevelt yesterday sent telegram
of cQpdoence TO the commanding officer of the
11th Separate Company at Croton expressing
deep sorrow at the tragic death of Sergeant
Douglass, who shot from ambush presjlm-
ably by of the strikers, on Monday night. It
reads as follows:
~. ,- Albany n. Y. April II, 1900
To Gomnmsndtng Officer 18th Separate Company.
desire 10 express nv deem sorro7,, nd s,,r,,,a+r,,
M the death OF Sergeant Douglass Yet let US re-
honor, side by side with the names Of those who
died In open battle with their countrys foes.
Dressed in the uniform of the 11th Separate
Company. Of Mount Vernon n. Y, the body of
Sergeant Douglass lay in little wooden shed in
the Croton Valley yesterday morning Prior TO
the treacherous and mysterious shooting of the
sergeant on Monday night the striking Italians
had good deal Of sympathy among the people
at CrOton in their fight with the contractors for
higher wages. Since the soldier was shot ell
sympathy with the strikers has disappeared.
INQUEST ON DOUGLAss's DEATH
Coroner J. a. Schafrneister, of Sing Sing. held
an inquest at which Assistant Surgeon H. Eu-
gene Smith testified that he had made an external
examination of the body. and found a gunshot
wound in the abdomen. two inches below the
umbilicus and three inches to the right Of the
median line. The bullet passed clear through
the body, coming out through the inner upper
were the causes of death.
The surgeon said that from the appearance Of
the wound the shot must have been fred from
an elevation of some twenty feet from where the
sergeant was standing. which would go 10 show
that the shot from the direction Of Little
Italy"
The Coroner decided that death was caused by
a gunshot wound inflicted by some person un-
known, and adjourned the inquest for thirty
days, in hope that some evidence against the
murderer might be found.
There was a rumor that Italian had been
arrested by the military early in the day and
held a prisoner in the camp, suspicion Of be-
ing. concerned in the murder Major Deni1e de
MED this. and said the militia had no power to
make arrests The Sheriff is the man TO 90
that, and his representatives said that no ar
rests had been made
The body OF Sergeant Douglass arrived in
Mount Vernon at > O'Clock yesterday afternoon
in charge Of a guard of honor. composed Of
Lieutenant Fiske. Ad1utant Carmody. Corporal
Anderson and Private Dumprof.
FLAGS AT HALF MAST
When Acting Mayor Hayward heard Of Ser
geant Douglass's death he ordered the flag over
the Mount Vernon City Hall TO be lowered 10
half mast The flag over the arrnOry will also
float at half mast until after the funeral
Douglass was formerly steward of the West
chester County Wheelmen, but lately he had
been employed by the Rees Dyeing Company,
Of New-York. All day yesterday there a
constant crowd Of callers the dead soldiers
little cottage. No. 225 South Sixth-ave. who
came TO offer sympathy TO the widow.
Sergeant Douglass will be buried with military
honors The funeral will be held in the armory
on Friday afternoon and will be attended by
the veterans Of the 11th Separate company. and
Of Eagle Troop Westminster cavalry. The c.
A r. Sons of Veterans and Spanish-American
war veterans will also probably turn out. de-
tachnlent Of the First Battalion Of the 1st Regi-
rnent will also be In attendance. and viii fire a
salute and sound taps at the grave in Woodlawn
Cemetery.
The Rev. A. F. Tenney, rector Of Christ Epis-
copaI Church. in Pelham Manor, and chaplain
Of the 1st Regiment viii conduct both services.
He will probably be assisted by other clergy
men.
BY Sergeant Douglasss death his widow and
children have been deprived of support, and
subscription is 70 be started in Mount Vernon
in their behalf.
The Tribune the only paper which pub
Ished a picture Of Douglass yesterday. It ap-
peared in a group photograph taken Of the llth
Separate Company standing at rest, near the
new Croton dam.