The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-06-21
HOUNDS TO TRACK MURDERER
VINO KILLED POLICEMAN ~
ROCHELLE PARK.
Police Think lie May he . Resident OF
That Fashionable District-Ilentist
witnessed Midnight Murder BY Mys-
terio,n Man With Pack on His Back.

NEW ROCHELLE, N. Y, June oO--Police-
man Maurice Ahearn was murdered early
this morning by supposed burglar whom
he encountered coming out OF Rochelle
Park carrying a bag on his back. The
murderer, after killing Ahearn, riddled
his body with bullets Ahearn died on the
lawn of Joseph T. Brown, ice-president
of the Knickerbocker Trust Company.
The murder occurred at about 1915 clock
directly in front Of the home of Mr.. Brown
and across the street from the residence
OF Mrs. j. II. Hawkins, a widow. DR..
w. F. johnson, a young dentist of New York,
who was boarding AT the Hawkins home,
was at the window Of his room and was
the only witness to the crime. DR.. Johnson
says he was aroused by hearing some one
across the street talking loudly. He went
to his window and saw that the police
man had stopped a stranger and was ques-
t!oning him. The stranger was short and
thick set and carried bag over his shoulder.
you'll have to show me what you have
got in that bag or III lock you up" DR..
johnson heard Ahearn say.
It's none of your business what's In
the bag. replied the man gruffiy.. The
stuff that's in it belongs to me- and that's
DR.. Johnson noticed that the man spoke
with an Italian accent.
Il believe you are a burglar, said Ahoarn
as he took the stranger by the arm.
You'll have to go over with me to the
station house and give an account OF your
self"
As the policeman took hold Of the man
the latter grabbed him by the throat
Ahearn was a powerfully built man with
big, broad shoulders. When he saw
wrestled with him on the lawn and then,
finding himself evenly matched. drew his
stick and began to beat him over the head.
At each blow the man cursed or shrieked
DIR. johnson says that they fought for
five minutes. when he heard Ahearn shout
Help. I'm shot" and saw him fall.
The murderer. who had started to run
away, turned back, and, standing over
Ahearn, fired three more shots. As he fired
he exclaimed
I'm show you what's in this bag!"
Then he walked cooly away toward the
main entrance of the park. DR.. johnson
rushed downstairs and telephoned to the
police Then he went out on the lawn and
found several other neighbors who had been
aroused by the shooting. The policeman
had been killed almost instantly.
Sergt Kelly sent out general alarm
to the police Of New York and to West
chester and Connecticut towns. and al
though fifteen minutes after the crime
was committed he had half n dozen police
man securing the park and the surround
ing country for the murderer, no trace OF
him was found.
The only clue left by the murderer is q
lot Of coarse straw used by florists in pack
ing flowers, The police believe that tho
man carried thi s,; to prevent silyerware
been notified that any house in the park
has been robbed. He said that IL a burg
larry was committed the thief had evil
IDENTIFY entered some furnished house which
is unoccupied and that the owners might
not report it for several days.
Yesterday morning word was recei we'd
from Port Chester that an Italian had been
arrested there on suspicion He has been
brought here and will be held for develop
ments. He has pistol of the same calibre
as that of the murderer, but ii appears not
to have been discharged for some time.
Several other suspects were also picked up
in New Rochelle and afterward released
Col. F. Lyman Bill OF the New Rochelle
Police Board announced to-day that the
detection of the murderer and said that
the Rochelle Park Association probably
would add $500 more.
The police are at work on the theory
that the murderer was perhaps not burg
lar but resident of the park, who mistook
a highwayman. Ahearn would have prob
ably captured the man if he could have
drawn his revolver but when he reached to
get it he found it entangled in a tobacco
pouch.
The Knights of Columbus of New
Rochelle, of which Ahearn was member,
made arrangements tonight to run down
the murderer with bloodhounds.
The Knights, in searching for blood
hounds, could find none near New York.
They were referred, however, To Dr. Long
est OF Boston, who owns two OF the animals
DR. Longest aQrepd to send on his hounls
free Of charge
The hounds are expected to arrive to-
morrow. They will be put on the scent at
Rochelle Park, where the policeman, In
tho fight, is thought To have spilled some
Of the murderer's blood.