The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-12-13
Stranger Fires Point Blank
at Heart Of Boy After
Threat.
------------
AsSAILANT FLEES POSSE
Injured Youth Is Brother Of Girl
Who Gave Information to
Police Concerning the Menu
bers Of Towns "Gas
House Terrors.

> BURLINGTON, Dec. 13.--Just Begin
ming to breathe easier through the hope
that the arrest of trio of South Bur-
lington youths had solved the murder
of Grocer Edward S. jefferson three
weeks ago, Burlington citizens are
thrown into fresh excitement by an at
tempted murder as mysterious and des-
perate as any of the preceding features
of this community's unprecedented
wave of crime.
The latest victim is Augustus Rose.
According to his story he was walking
along the Salem road, an eighth of a
mile from his home yesterday after
noon, when a tall stranger sprang from
behind tree and exclaimed. You
will, will your fired a gun point blank
at the boys heart.
Il thought the man was lighting
cigarette when / first saw his coat be-
hind the tree said Rose later.
He pull out the revolver so quick
and then showed it right against my
coat that did not know what he was
doing until | was Knocked down by
the shot.
THE man shot with his left hand.
Inen he threw the gun away, ran
across the road and into a eornf1eld
The shot only knocked me down for an
instant, then | jumped and ran and
called for help
n {ssssdiiflS iiflS and his clothes nearly
burned froi1S the upper part OF his
body by the flames which his running
had intensified, Rose staggered into
the yard of Joseph Shf1pkins. a farmer
ht Salem and Beverley roads. Quick
nItted Mrs. SimplSins threw bucket
of water over the youth and then rolled
him In a blanket. Her act saved him
from fatal burns.
Summoned by phone to the Silnplxins
house, which IS but an eighth of mile
from Roses own home and the adjacent
scene of the Jefferson murder. Detee-
tive Fleetwood, Patrolman Mccormick
and Drs. Rink and Newcomb drove to
the scene.
Joined by young farmers, the officers
Immediately organized a search for the
assailant, but were unable to track him.
An hour. later they learned from Charles
Parker, farmer, that fellow answer
ing the description Of the assaiiant had
run from q meadow lying between the
Beverly road and the scene of the
shooting. He is said to have been ac-
cornpanied by another man shorter in
stature. Rose says his assallant was
i've feet nine inches tall. of light COM
l,lexion, and with a light curly mus
tache. lie wore a long dark coat and
a black derby
The fact that the mother and sister
of Rose gave. the police the first in
formation and directed suspicion In the
direction of tho members of the Gas
House Terrors" gang arrested Wednes-
day. and the exclamation oe the as
sailant when he shot Rose, strengthens
the belief that the boy was the victim
OF revenge. The police are working on
this theory.
Within 500 yards of this spot. but on the
Baverly road. Ernest Zwalhaien, who docs
not look unlike Rose, was terribly beaten
by thugs two weeks ago tonight. Rumors,
with which the town has been agos, that
there was q married Norman and not rob-
berry behind the attack. were not verified
by the police, aud are positively denied
by zwahalen. Rose himself believes he
was mistaken for another man.
"FIad the bullet varied a quarter OF
an incr 1t would have gone through his
heart" declared DR.. Eugene Rink. "The
shot was giuncing. and the lead struck
rib aud was detected after piercing the
flesh directly over The heart 1t WIS 4
shot nea.1t te kill"
The mystsIy of the shooting aud the ap.
parent connection between 1t and other
crime has put the police department on
edge