Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-07-26
HARTFORD POLICE FORCE BAFFLED Chld' Gum Took Men and the Riot Guns But They Were All Held Of By One Man
DIVER HELD THE HOUSE
He Shot One Police Officer Per-
 haps Fatally, Also Shot At Deputy Sheriff Foote.

Hartford, July 26.-His house sur
 rounded by several thousand men, including large squad of police men, none of whom dared to try to capture him by force, John w. Dwyer of 386 Park street, who last night shot and perhaps fatally wounded Policeman Edward w. Beecher, meekly surrendered on the advice of his lawyer, after he had held the big crowd at bay for many hours. Dwyer was stationed at window with his trusty magazine shotgun In his arms and practically defied the police and the mob, which began to gather around his house at an early hour in the morning. Gradually 1t grew to big proportions and the pO- lice had the double duty of keeping track of the wild man in the house and keeping the crowd in order. Early in the morning Dwyer call ed out to the police that he would like to consult with his lawyer, S.. E. Clark, and accordingly the attor- ney was sent for. Pushing his way through the crowd, Attorney Clark made his way to. the house alone amid sudden silence and had long talk with Dwyer. The attorney then told the police that Dwyer had agreed to surrender, but that they must not handcuff him or attempt to take him by force. Soon Attorney { Clark and his charge came out of the house and entering an automobile were driven to police headquarters, half of the big crowd following.
 At police headquarters Dwyer was immediately put in cell and will be held pending the outcome of Police man Beecher's wounds. Dwyer would make no statement at headquarters. The outcome of the case Is doubtful, for 1t is not known definitely wheth- or Dwyer was insane when he shot the policeman or not. If Beecher dies, however, the police stated to-day, Dwyer will be charged with first de- gree murder, otherwise he will be charged with assault with intent to kill Dwyer has two sons and six daughters. nearly all of whom live in this city.
 Policeman Beecher has been member of the Hartford force since 1893 and several times has been commended for acts of bravery. Pre- vious to his taking a place on the police force he was ball player in the National and Eastern leagues.
 The police officers tried. to enter the house. but were warned by the family that Dwyer would shoot them without any warning, so they went to a nearby fire department house and changed their clothing for old apparel with the intention of skir- mishing about the house to try to find an entrance. The house stands alone and windows on three sides command all approaches. On the fourth side Is the barn and here the officers took shelter. During the evening Offlcer Edward Beecher suc- ceeded in getting into the house and CT was sitting with magazine shot gun across his knee. Beecher tried to argue him into submitting quietly to an arrest. but Dwyer ordered him out and raised his gun. The ofilcer left. Shortly after midnight Officer Beecher got into the house again and looked into the room in which Dwyer was sitting. The latter used his shot gun, the shot entering Officer Beech CTS side. The wounded man stagger- ed outside where he was picked up hv bo othaw xN3 oarS aud x&,,t of range of Dwyer's gun. The ambu- lance carried him to the hospital where surgeons worked over him for some hours trying to locate the bull lets. At o'clock this morning the hospital reported that Beecher's con- dition was comfortable and that sev- eral buckshot had been removed.
 About the time Beecher was shot William Dwyer also got into the house and gave his father a drink of water In which had been dissolved fifteen tablets of morphine. Dwyer warned his son not to come In again or he would be shot.
 After Beecher bad been removed word was sent to the police station and Chief Gum responded with sev- eral more officers. who took with them the riot guns recently purchas- ed for the police. It was decided that no attempt would be made to reach Dvyer until daylight.
 When light dawhed Chief Gum decided to wait for a few hours in hope that Dwyer would go to sleep and it would not be necessary to ex- pose his men to the fire of Dwyer's weapons. The reason 0fficsr i,eeche- went into the house a second time afte:. being warned to keep out was due to his belief that Dvyer had gone 10 sleep. as he had kept so quiet for several hours. During the night many scores of the neighbors kept guard with theofhcersbut out of curl osity. Dvyer Is said to have an ugly disposition when in liquor. and has figured in a number of inciieats in the neighborhcod- He owns many weapons which are h the house, be- sides a number of dozx-
 Dvyer became unbalanced two yearx ago. due. 1t is said. to exces- dive use of 1icuor- A conscrvatnr was appointed for him by the court md he vas sent to a hospital for treat menf. When apparently cured of his meatal trouble Dwyer was returned c unxtfor1 an1 he resuEe1 vprk a<