The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1911-08-25
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New York. Aug. 22.-During re-
cent years the number of crimes
in which firearms we're used showed
an increase so tremendous that the
authorities throughout the country
realized the necessity OF putting a
stop to the practice Of carrying
guns. Efforts to regulate and con-
troll the sale OF fire arms by law
we're made in several states. but ow-
ing to the difficulty OF framing
these laws so that they would stand
the test OF constitutionality. the re-
bells we're not particularly satisfac-
tory. In this city the police author
files. in their endeavor to put stop
20 the carrying of concealed weap-
ons. made a number of raids In diff
ferent PARTS OF the city and the num-
Der OF guns and stiilettos confistat-
ed at a single raid in the Italian
quarter OF Manhattan was simply
appalling. Since the last raid.
when was few months ago. the
Ii habitants of Little Italy must have
found means to replenish their stock
of firearms. for scarcely day passes
that does not bring the report OF
one or more shooting ARRAYS in the
Italian quarter OF the city
Human ambition is queer thing
and apt 10 run In the most peculiar
directions. There are individuals
possessed by the ambition to become
millionaires. while others want to
become president Of the United
States, Senator. Governor, Mayor or
Coroner. still others are consumed
by the ambition to become great
singers. musicians, artists. poets or
novelists. In many cases these am
billions are rather absurd, because
the individuals concerned lack the
proper qualifications. but. after all.
such ambitions may be closed among
the normal and reasonable ambitions.
The craving OF some. usually youth
full individuals. TO kill Indians. TO
become a famous bandit. or 10 blow
up some man OF political or financial
prominence can be accounted for IA
some measure by the impressionable
nature OF the youthful mind and the
suggestive power of Dime-Noyel iIt-
erature.
| II Is more difficult TO explain. how
ever. why the head OF big business
concern and a millionaire in the
bargain. should be obsessed by the
ambition--to beat the base drum in
street band. That seems absurd.
yet this very same thing was the all
consuming ambition Of Simon y.
Bernheimer, the millionaire brewer.
who died here the other day. al the
very moment when he had finally
reached the goal OF his ambition. lie
had become a Mason and had work
ed hard 20 realize HIS fond ambition
and when the happy moment came.
for which he had longed. he fell dead
with the drumstick In his hand. At
all events. he must have died happy.
Johnny Dugan. better known on
the East side as "Red Dugan" a
noted character IN that part Of town.
vas made the victim OF a cruel Joke
the other day. As may be inferred
from HE nickname. Mr.. Dugan is.
or rather was. the possessor OF a
j fine crop OF fiery red hair. The
other day. while he was taking an
afternoon snooze on a truck stand
Ing In the street. somebody clipped
the rudy locks on one half OF his
head close 10 the scalp. leaving those
on the other half untouched. When
Dngan aw0ke from his sIumber and
found out what had been done 10
him. he became lnfurated. lie had
his tintype taken TO preserve a rec
ord OF his condition and then started
on still hunt for the mIscreant
who had robbed him OF half OF his
wealth OF hair.
II The detectives are puzzled by the
gruesome fact that during the past
week or so several human arms.
legs End other parts Of human bod
les have been washed ashore In and
around New York BY the waters ~
the Hudson and Of the Sound. The
: fragments belonged evidently 20 dif.
ferent bodies and were apparently
. not amputated by scientific methods
The police authorities are unable "a
! decide whether those human frag.
] ments are TO be considered a. EVIL.
dence Of some crime or crimes or
. whether they have 20 deal with the
. gruesome Joke" Of some medical
| students.
The Goddess Of Liberty which oc.
. euries 20 pertinent a position IN
| New York's harbor needs a nea
! tfess. Not that her present drea,
has grown out Of fashIon--the rule,
Of bare In many places and needs
! patches. Salt water and sea All
} combined seem 20 have had a cor
i reslye effect upon the bronze oil
shich the statue In made and n
many places holes have been eater
: through the plates. The war depart
ment In whose charge the statue II
j has been notified Of the condition o.
: the statue and has charged an engi
|. reer with the task Of making a care
fol examination and reporting som,
2 plan for mending the statue and fo
/. preventing its gradual destruction
!. by the corrosive influences OF sci
. air and salt water.
J.