New-York tribune., 1907-01-27
DOCTOR SHOT In BED.
.dTTdCKED IN HIS HOME.
ConceaIs Name of Foe-Rerenge
May Be MotiUe-Dies In Hospital.

known physicians and surgeons on Staten Island
who shot while In bed beside his wife in
his home at No 5 westervelt avenue, New
Brighton. Staten Island. early yesterday morn
ing, kept the identity Of his assailant a secret
though he believed his death near according TO
Coroner N. F. Cahin. OF Richmond Borough
The coroner learned last night that the shooting
was the result OF a grievance, and not an at
tempt at burglary, as the family OF the surgeon
first asserted.
DR.. Townsend died IN the s. r. Smith Infrm-
sTy. Staten Island, at 1 o'clock this morning
The shooting is shrouded in mystery similar
70 that which at first enveloped the death last
April Of Charles /. Spier, confidential man of
II. II. Rogers. Spier. who lived not far from
Dr. Townsend. was later shown 10 be in financial
difficulty, and the cOroner's jury decided no was
shot by a revolver In his own hand.
ACCORDING 70 a statement made 10 Police Cap
tain Gallagher and Coroner Cahil by DR. Town
send after he was removed to the s r. Smith
1nnrmaTy. the shooting was done by a man thor
oughly familiar with the surgeons home. The
assailant did not disturb any Of the expensive
jewelry or large sums Of money which were
within easy reach when he stepped into the bed
room where DR.. and Mrs Townsend were asleep
HOW THE SHOOTING OCCURRED.
II was soon after o'clock when DR.. Townsend
vas awakened by a man who stood before him
holding revolver over his head. Then the man
quickly fired two shots One perforated the
victims abdomen and lodged in his spine The
second passed through the doctors thigh and
hedded itself in the mattress. AS the first shot
was fired Mrs. Townsend was awakened. She
saw the man turn and leave the room, but she
was unable TO give an accurate description. as
she was distracted by the groans of her hus-
hand.
The bedroom is on the second floor OF the sur
geon's house -Four other bedrooms are on the
same foor. They were occupied by DR.. Townsend's
mother and his five children The eldest. Louisa,
fourteen years old, said that she was awake
when the assailant turned the electric light
on the floor above, and she is positive that three
shots were fired. although Mrs Townsend said
,he heard only two. The girl also told the police
that she saw what she thought was a man run
downstairs after the shooting.
On the third floor three servants were asleep.
but with the exception Of Mary Flynn. a nurse.
they did not hear the shooting. Miss Flynn
The first 70 come 20 the aid of Mrs. Townsend.
whose first action was to bandage the doctors
wounds. When she realized that her husband
vas seriously injured she Immediately rushed to
rhe telephone in the dining room the lower
floor. The wires had been cut, and it was USE
less. Then she ran 10 the surgeons Office and
called William Crabtree, a neighbor.
TWO ARRESTS MADE.
A call was also sent TO the Smith Inarulary
for an ambulance, and Or. Townsend was pre-
pared for removal For time he was uneon-
scious. but while in the ambulance he revived
and answered question asked by Joseph Hayes.
his chauffeur, who accompanied him to the hos
pitsI
Il think that Silverman shot me-" said the
surgeon, and then he Ielapsed into semi-con-
sciousness. The chauffeur reported these words
10 Inspector Schmittberger, who took charge OF
fhe case Detectives were ordered 70 find Morris
silvernan, whom they placed under arrest a
few hours later.
SiIverman said that he had been treated by
Or. Townsend eight months ago. He lived at
No. Broad street. Stapleton.
The police also arrested Isaac Snyder,
brother-in-lsw OF silverman. who is merchant
with place Of business at Brook and Thomp-
son streets Both men were taken 10 the bed
side Of the surgeon but he unable positive
~ TO identify either his assailant.
The arrest Of the men is not expected to throw
any light the shooting. Inspector Schmitt-
berger believed that one Of prominence
committed the crime. The men were. however.
held on charge Of being suspicious persons,
anG viii be arraigned to-day.
Coroner Cahin and Inspector schmittberger
would not say whether the wounds could have
been self-inffirted, yet they both intimated that
The shooting could have been done by some one
who was in the house when the family retired.
no TRACE OF AssAILANT
Nothing showed that any of the windows had
been forced, but il would have been easy
thing for a man 10 enter the dining win
dow, which is usually left open. This window
found in the same position it had been
left by The servants before they retired.
No footprints visible in the snow, which
was frozen hard, and not yet covered with
he fall Of yesterday. Hours OF search failed
TO reveal any other clews which could show
how the man entered the house.
The police called the attention Of Mrs. Town.
send 10 the fact that hundreds OF dollars worth
Of silverWare and valuable jewelry We're on the
lower floor Of the house. None Of these things
were dfsarranged. Inspector Schmitt berger had
scores OF detectives visit every person who had
been a patient OF the surgeon during the last
three years. In this way he expects 20 delye
into the past life OF the surgeon.
Up 10 & late hour these detectives had no
clew. Dr. ToWnsend's own revolver was found
intact in the drawer where IL was placed some
time ago.
Dr. Townsend was vice-presdent Of the Rich
mond County Medical Society. and was men,
Der OF the State Medical Society. He was
eurgeon OF the s. r Smith Inflrmary, where ne
was one OF the chief Onerating surgeons. He
was forty years old. His wife is the daughter or
the late Dr. Theodore Walser, and a sister or
DR.. William c. Walser. She is also member OF
the medical profession. and has practised.
A few years ago Mrs. Townsend became es-
tranged from her husband for several weeks and
returned 20 him only after mutual rrlends
brought about a reconciliation. Then she said
that she would live with Dr. Townsend Tor tne
sake OF her children.
Since the shooting Mrs. Townsend has been az
the bedside OF her husband almost all or tho
time. Dr. william c. Walser and DR.. William
Bryan have been fn attendance since the surgeon
vas taken 70 fhe hospital