The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1907-11-26
Murders al Rnrlinutnn

The city of Burlington is very mucl
stirred up over the occurrences of the pas
week when three lives were violently
ended. The first was on Thursday night
when the body of Edward S. Jefferson
was found on the railroad track In west
Burlington. 1t required but little hives.
| tigation to show that the man had moi
been the victim of a railroad accident, but
that there had been an attempt to muir
der him before his body was placed in the
position in which it was found.
Around the mans neck there was a
piece of sash cord and his pockets had
been rified. About IL o'clock Mr.. JEFF
ferson left some friends at High and
Broad streets. He had been spending a
very pleasant evening with them and
seemed to be in excellent spirits. Less
than half hour after leaving his com
panions he was dead
The opinion seems to prevail that JEFF
ferson was not dead when he was put on
the tracks, but that will probably be en-
tirely revealed at the inquest tomorrow.
The man kept grocery store in the
neighborhood where he met his death.
1t is said he was accosted not long since
by stranger who demanded money and
his refusal to comply with the request
brought forth threats of vengeance At
the corner of Broad and Ellis streets there
is an open lot with brushes growing up. 1t
is surmised that the perpetrators of the
murder were lying in wait for their victim
and lassoed him with the cord. Then.
after ritiing his pockets, they dragged the
body to the railroad. Jefferson did not
have much money but he had watch and
some small trinkets in his pockets, The
latter were found in hole in the ground.
and there were indications that the body
was dragged from that spot. The watch
is still missing.
The train that struck the man stopped
and picked up the body and took it to the
station. The authorities were at once
notified and steps were taken to secure the
arrest of the murderers, for it is the firm
Coroner Bisbing was notified and he be-
gan an investigation He worked on
the theory that the crime was committed
by foreigners. The story of the request
for money accompanied by threats was
accepted as clue. Then it was said that
Mr.. Jefferson had been active in wedding
out some speak-easies in his neighborhood
which were conducted by Italians and
Poles.
This was to be another ground for suspi- |
cion, but it is possible that there may be |
clues of more value than either above.
Descriptions of strangers were at once
to neighboring towns and |
here were two or three arrests on suspi-
zion, but it is said the men apprehended
ire not those wanted, and they were dis
charged.
While the authorities were working on
he Jefferson case the city was shocked to
lear that another murder had been COM
nitted. This time it was a policeman
who was struck down while in the dis
;harge of his duty, and the crime was
committed the next night. Officer George
ausrang, one of the best policemen in
he city. had been diligent in an effort to
capture the criminals of the previous
light. In reality he had no business to be
IN duty as he had been suffering with an
Ibscess, which had, during the day, been
given harsh treatment. But he felt that
he city needed his services and he went
tut.
About half-past II he saw three men
who he thought might need watching.
They had been drinking and were acting
n disorderly manner, and finally Gus
ang went to them. What he did is only
! matter Of conjecture The fact is that
policeman Gusrang was killed and that
mother man who had been identified as
Alfred Leadem, of Camden, was also killed
by bullet sent into his brain. Three
Toung men who were in the neighborhood
Jay that when GusraDg went to the man
md threatened to arrest him the latter
rev pistol and shot the officer and then
turned the weapon on his own brain
People who we're aroused by the shooting
md looked out of their windows say that
Leadem was shot by his companions who
meant the bullet for Gusrang.
The men who profess to have witnessed
he affair did not go to the assistance of
he officer, but ran elsewhere for help,
hence the two companions of the man
who was killed made their escape. Leadem
vas employed at work on pile driver at
he Devlin iron works at the lower end of
Pearl street. He is said to have been an
American although his companions were
Italians. As soon as this second tragedy
was reported it was at once concluded
hat it was the work of the party that
had killed Jefferson, but there is no foun-
iation for such theory. 1t was simply
4 happening following closely on the heels
Of the first affair.
Detectives are working hard on the
cases and it is hoped they will be able to
solve the mystery but up to the present
lime it looks as If the Hencke murder
mystery was about to be repeated.
Mothers with little children need no
/