Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-03-09
MURDER AT BANGOR,
Officer P. H. Jordan Shot Down
While on His Beat.
Negro VIM. AIberts Under Arrest,
Charged With the Crime.
Jordan Had Been on the Force Only
Five Days.

Bangor, Me-, March S.-While per-
forming ordinary duties of his office at
late hour, Saturday night, Patrolman
Patrick II. Jordan, was shot in the
head and instantly killed, in Carroll
street. on the outskirts of the city.
Within an hour of the time the body
was discovered William Alberts, a
negro had been arrested for the crime,
and is now locked up awaiting the re-
suit of the coroner's inquest which will
take place, Monday afternoon.
Alberts, who was divorced from his
wife last February, came to Bangor,
Friday night and, Saturday night at IL
o'clock, appeared at his wife's house.
He battered the door down and the
woman, fearing for her life, leaped
from a window. leaving Alberts in
possession of the house.
An alarm was given and Patrolman
Jordan went to the house, followed by
Patrolman O'Donahue. When the Of
ficers made their appearance Alberts
leaped from window and ran away,
being followed by Patrolman Jordan.
Patrolman O'Donahue went back to the
patrol wagon and started to follow Jor-
dan. He soon lost him, however, and
after whistling for him several times,
was forced to return down town on
account of an alarm of fire.
Shortly after this a boy discovered
a dead body in Carroll street and
word was sent to police headquarters.
1t was feared that Jordan had met
with foul play as he was endeavoring
to arrest his man, as Carroll street is
in the direction in which he was head
ed. A squad went out, to find that
their fears were correct as Jordan was
found with his head badly torn by a
bullet that was fired at close range.
A few minutes after this, word was
received that a negro, brandishing a
revolver and Boosting that he had kill
ed a patrolman, had made his apear-
ance in a house in Walter street. 100
yards from the spot where the officer
body was found. A big squad started
at once for the place in charge of Chief
Bowen who had taken charge of the
case.
i The house was surrounded and Pa
trolmen Baker. Perkins and Finnigan
entered by a back door. leaving the
other officers outside. The place was
in darkness and feeling their way
through the back rooms the men enter
ed dining room. One of the officers
lighted a match and the negro was re-
vealed living on his side with gun
clutched in his right hand. He was
feigning asleep.
All the officers had their guns drawn
ready for instant trouble, and Baker
as soon as he saw the form. bounced
on it, Wrestling the weapon from his
hand. The negro offered little resist
ance and was carried to police head
quarters.
Chief Bowen said, tonight, that, all
the evidence had been collected and
that very strong case for the State
would be presented.
Jordan was So years of age. A widow
and six children survive him. He had
been appointed but five days ago, having
served as a special for 10 months. Jor-
dan was second officer on the steamer
Penobscot of the old Boston & Bangor
Steamship Co. before he went on the
force.
The bullet has been taken from Jor-
dams brain and is of the same calibre
as the revolver, 81.
Feeling has been intense in Bangor
all day against the alleged murderer
and violent expressions have been
heard. He has been removed from the
police station to the county Jail.