New-York tribune., 1907-07-30

Il An SHOT" SAID WALSH.
Witnesses Tell of Retreat of Police
man an Spalding Building.

1t no pleasing story TO which Commissioners
Bingham had TO listen yesterday when he presided
at the trial for cowardice of Patrolman stephen j.
Walsh. OF the East 5lst street police station II
almost the first trial in the history of tbs
department on such charge Walsh and PATROL
man Rosa allowed Frank Warner TO escape after
shooting Miss Esther Norlng only to wound fatally
John S. Wilson three hours later. Rosa Is also
TO be tried the cowardice charge Patrolman
Walsh. when he went on the stand himself told a
story which provoked wOnderment that he ever
should have sought place on the police force
His complaint about being hazed not long ago
caused the dismissal of three from the force.
and the transfer of an entire platoon from the Oak
street station.
Perhaps the most damaging testimony. that
which made the "Old timers in the room writhe.
was that given by Frederick l. Hartman. OF No.
2o29 Ryder avenue. who is employed in the Spald-
ing building He said that he caught up Win
Walsh before he reached the first floor, when War
ner fed into the building. Half way up TO the
third floor Warner took shot at them. whicn
went wide. Warner kept running, but the pa
trolman, he says. reeled into tailor shop on the
third floor. the door OF which was half opened
"Oh. shot? Look and seer
II thought Walsh was a fool said Hartman,
but looked him over TO please him
After he had assured Walsh that he had not been
shot Hartman said he tried TO get him TO open
the door.
Y demanded that Walsh open the door he went
on. but he kept it shut and refused to let me
out" They stayed behind the closed door for
twenty minutes. Hartman said Walsh every now
and then taking a quick peek out OF the windows
or listening cautiously at the door. Hartman said
he told Walsh that he ought 10 90 out and get
Warner he had gun but Walsh could not ap-
preciate that point of view and refused TO depart
Y told him. Hartman testified that wouldn't
let any man make mark Of me with a revolver, 50
long had myself"
This appears 10 have prodded Walsh 70 action. for
after rapping the window fSr help he drew hts
revolver and opened the door. Then he restraineCs
himself from further rashness.
Did Walsh make any attempt go OF that
room after he drew his revolver asked Conmis-
sioner Bingham
None whatever" Hartman answered earnestly
Il got disguised and told him II he wouldn't open
that door would. whether he liked IL not
got disgusted with the man. He kept saying-
Don't open that door
Concerning -valsh's retreat Emil 8Iuench a cut
ter in the tailoring place, told how he Walsh
and Hartman come in the place. Walsh had his
helmet of and that he had been shot.
He said the patrolnar closed the door and refused
% let Hartman open IL. Edward C.. Person
shipping clerk in Spadings. said he was told that
four murders had been committed and that the
murderer was in the building. He Walsh open
the tailors door and heard him say 10 two bicycle
patromen who were IN the corridor. My GodI
Has relief come az last? Have they got HIM?
What is the matter with you?" one OF the traffio
men asked
They shot at rner' cried Walsh. according To
the witness who says he spoke as though sur
Prised to think that an escaping murderer had
Why. you've got gun P1erson said. IN quot
ing the other patroIman. Why IN = didn't you
go after him? Give me your gun"
Ihe man took WaSh'S revolver and ran upstairs
but Warner had gone long before. PatroIrnan
John j. Waters. one OF the traffic men under In
spector Schni-tberger corrobOrated Persons story
So did PatrOnan UImanu.
Walsh had "a witness there. He was Michael =,
Ryan plumbers apprentice. but his testimony
failed TO show that the policeman was a hero.
He said that while Walsh ran up the first flight
of stairs he came back right away and asked other
PatrOlnen TO help him. They refused he testified
The accused patrolman. on the stand for himself.
told story which failed 10 aid him After telling
OF finding Miss Norlng the sidewalk and
moning an ambulance. he said he upstairs in
the Spaidlng Building and saw Warner between
the second and third floors. Warner fired. and as
his helmet rolled of and he felt pain IN his right
leg he said he thought that he had been shot SO
he into the tailor shop Commissioner Bfng-
ham refrained from mentioning this point that
Patrolnan Sellick not long ago stepped across the
body Of PatrolInaR Steckler ard got his man.
after bullet had cut clean through his own abb
domen. and Walsh went on with his story.
What mads you stagger?' asked Commissioners
Bingham.
The smoke. It was so close TO me- answered
Walsh, apparently meaning the revolver
Did you lock the dOO- OF the tailor shOpT'
mo. sir
How long were you in the tailor shop?'
About five minutes. 7 thought I shot
wanted to go out but Nuench said he would not
er me out He told that If I wanted to get
shot he did not. and that he was going TO keep
the door locked I soon left the tailor shop and
went upstairs. Then I came down and appealed
70 the officers to come up and help me-.
You wanted TO get out OF the tailor shop?'
Yes; but Muench refused TO let me out They
refused 10 let out
who are 'they'?" asked the Commissioner;
well. Hartman was there also"
General Bingham. rising and IN a voice that could
be heard out in the street, shouted:
DO you to tell that II you wanted to
get they could prevent your
Yes.
The Commissioner then called Afusnch and Hart
man up near him and. addressing Walsh, again
shouted: 4
How old are your
about tweDty-nine-"
"And these two men prevented you from going
out and You did not hit them or tear their /
cl0thes?' 4:
NO sir"
Why did you so 10 the tailor shop again altar
you left the third hoor? Why did you not go to
the fourth fOOrT'
II wanted more help"
why did you need more help on the fourth door
than the third hoOr?"
Walsh failed to reply.
Inspector Walsh appeared prosecutor. and the
first witness called was James O'Neill. the
gineer in the Spalding Building He said that hs
saw Walsh enter the building and start upstAizA
followed by Patrolnan OIeary. He heard sho6
fired and then ran telephone for the reserves
Inspector Walsh had blue prints tho
Commissioner. After he had handed over these dia-
grams OF the building he resumed his seat The
Commissioner looked UP suddenly to ask: Stand
inspector said he did Are your heels together?''
together hard enough 20 bruIse each other. Very
After Walsh had testified for himself the trial
man Rosa will have his turn to-day.