Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1907-04-18
KILLED N
NEW YORK

lIUW lUulA
The sad intelligence reached this
city Monday that cur former towns
man, George NJ Sechler, employed
as pol lceman in New York City, vas
killed by pistol shot Sunday while
efTectiug the arrest of Il Sicilian, who
had fatally wounded an innocent boy.
The details of the story are exciting
in the extreme and afford glimpses
which reveal on the part of the deceas-
ed policeman true heroism and bravery
as we'll as devotion to the loved ones
of his home, which imparts to the
whole narrative tinge of pathos.
Monday morning David Sechler
of this city received telegram from
New York apprising him of the tragic
death of his brotl ler. the policeman,
and informing i, i'm that letter
would follow containing particulars
The letter arrived by the afternoon
mail. Meanwhile the New York morn
ing papers arrived containing a full
| account of the shooting.
Policeman Sechler was killed while
attempting to arrest Salvador Cover
male, Sicilian, who had shot Charles
Vincenzo. lad 10 years of age The
shooting of which Vinceuzo was the
innocent victim grew out of a very
trivial affair While in the park some
boys jostled Governale, who drew his
pistol and fired one shot. which hit no
one. Governale then ran out OF the
building in which the affair took place
pursued by those inside. Again he
drew his revolver and shot TIE lad
Vincenzo, who had taken no pant in
the fracas.
Policeman Sechler, who was in plain
clothes, from the south side OF the
Park saw the mob in pursuit of Gov
ernale and hurriedly started III that
direction. Governale with one hand
doubled up grasping his pistol dashed
across into Thompson street, where he
took refuge in a six-story doubledeck
tenement.
Meanwhile Patrolman Sellick, also
in plain clothes, joined the chase. AL
though giant in stature he was close
ON the heels of officer Sechler, as the
latter heroicaliy jumped into the hall
way after the fugitive Sicilian.
Governale unknown to his pursuers
was crouching in an alcove at the left |
of the entrance of the hall. Officer |
Sechler CROPPED blindIy for an instant |
That was all Then there was a flash |
followed by report and the police
man dropped to the floor Sellick, |
the other officer, who sprang into the
hall moment later, was also shot
while cropping in the dark.
Sellick, though mortally wounded,
grappled with the assassin, wrestling
the weapon from the latter's clutch
and clinging to him until help arrived
in the person of Detective Sergeant
John J. Fogerty, who with his club
quicl-ly reduced Governale to sub
mission.
The wounded officers were removed
to st. Vincent's hospital Sechler
had a baby born to him only few
weeks ago. His first words on arriv
ing at the hospital were:
"Can you send for my wife and
baby? 1 believe l have only a short
time to live" LII less than an hour
Sechler's wife and baby were by his
side. The babe was laid for time in
mother collapsed. The shooting oc-
Cured late in the afternoon and at
10. 30 P. M. Sechler died. Selleck's s
life was despaired of from the first
He was shot just below the heart, the
bullet lodging in the lung. Sellick
was shot by maniac and nearly kill
ed last December. He was an honor
man and wore medal for saving a
woman and child at fire.
Governale the murderer, was identi- {
fed by both Sechler and Sellick at the
hospital ;
George NJ Sechler. the unfortunate
officer, was son of the late Aaron
and Rebecca Sechler and grew to man
hood at this city. the family home
stead being on Bloom road. He was
"a years of age and besides his wife {
and babe, is survived by the following ]
brothers and sisters: Harmon L. Sech-
Ter, of Ashland David Sechler of Dan S
vile; Mrs. William Mumma, of AL
toona; Mrs. Joseph Gibson and Miss {
Martha Sechler, of this city. !
The deceased left Danville some
twelve years ago. He was young
man of excellent character; he was
and ambitious aud seemed to {
have q bright future before him. He 7
was very widely known in Danville 5
and as late as last winter paid our
town pleasant visit, during which
Did associations were renewed and S
The news of his sad |
and untimely death caused among q
friends here many pang of sorrow.
Is Fruit Injured?