New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-10
COURT CLERK SHOT
DEAD BY CUNMEN
Frederick Strauss Victim OF
Revolver Battle OF
Rival Gangs.
WAS ON WAY TO
LODGE MEETING
Police and Coroner Raid Dance
Hall in Front of Which
Fight Took Place.

The alleys and byways about Airing
ton Hall in 81. Marks Place, between
Second and Third avenues, echoed and
re echoed last night with a fusillade Of
revolver shots There were shouts.
curses. scampering of feet and then
the police reserves arrived and found
Frederick Strauss. siXty-five years old
for twenty-four years clerk in the
Supreme Court. dead on the sidewalk.
one bullet had penetrated his right ear
and another the back of his head. He
was an innocent victim of gang feud.
Edward Morris, d deputy sheriff in
Arlington Hall, was arrested by the
police on a technical charge of homi-
eide. The police say that Morris per-
mitted a "gunman" 10 escape without
making an effort TO arrest him.
Strauss, who was veteran OF the
Franco Prussian ar, was on his way
10 attend meeting of the odd Eel
lows. of which he had just been elected
financial secretary. The lodge meets
in st. Marks Place. few doors from
Arlington Hall. where the Harry
Lenny and Tommy" Dyke Associa-
tion was holding ball Lenny and
Dyke are said TO be members of the
Jimmy" Kelly gang. and as such are
sworn enen1ies of the "Dopey Benny"
gang.
The brass-lunged orchestra" in Ar
lington Hall had just begun to tune
up" when Lenny and Dyke arrived and
started up the stairs to the main en-
trance.
Signal for Action.
Their appearance was the signal for
action. Across the street. lurking in
dark Railways, were posted members
Of the "Dopey Benny" gang. When
they spotted Lenny and Dyke they
Although taken by surprise. the
Jimmy" Kelly leaders wheeled about
and returned the fire Of their enemies
with spirit, even though their aim vas
wild.
For several minutes the duel con-
tinued, revolvers splitting spitefully. So
far as known, none of the gunner"
was struck by the hail of bullets, but
Strauss. white haired and bent. reeled
and fell lfeless TO the street.
Instantly the street was filed with
men, running, lodging, shouting. Nor
rs, known as Fat" was in the street
According to Samuel Lipsig, Of No. JS
St. Marks Place, who was on his way
TO Cooper Union with his nine-year-
old son. one Of the shooters dashed by
him. and as he approached Morris
yelled: Hey, Fat hide me-"
Morris, thus appealed to, made no
effort to capture the gangster, accord
ing TO Lipsig, and by the time Detec-
tive Lieutenant Hennessy and Detec-
tive Ramsberger dashed across to
where Strauss lay dead the street was
deserted of gunner"
Strauss was identified by Frank Doll,
a piano manufacturer, Of No. 426 West
10th street, a fellow member OF the
Odd Fellows lodge. Doll, hearing the
shooting, went outside to see what the
trouble was. He recognized Strauss
as the body lay on the sidewalk.
After Coroner Feinberg had given
permission for the removal Of the body
Of Strauss to his home, at No. 925
Longwood avenue. The Bronx, he went
TO the 5th street police station, where
he conferred with the police and "Dea-
con" Murphy. Assistant District Attor-
ney. As a result of this conference
they visited Arlington Hall TO look
the place over"
Police Search Gunmen.
With a squad Of detectives under
Acting Captain Cooper and ten uni
formed patrolmen. the Coroner and MI
Murphy went TO the dance hall out