New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-19
Jersey SLAYER,
HID In SWAMPS,
ELUDES POSSES
Fugitive Kills Two Police.
men After Battle at
Boarding House.
SWORE HE WOULD
NOT BE TAKEN ALIVE
Shot Heard in MorasS May Be
His KneIl as Suicide-Had
Poison in Room.

IOlSOH III NONh'
East Orange, n. J., Dec. 1s.-Emerg-
ing from the seclusion that has pro
teeted him for months, Antonio Fed
erici, former constable, wanted for
shooting his rival for woman, killed
two policemen early this morning, in
jured two others and again disappeared,
leaving a trail of blood and terror in
his wake.
There is possibility that shot
heard in a swamp near here this after
noon may have meant FedeTicis sui
eide But he swore that he would die
fighting and the posses that are scour-
ing the country for him do not hope TO
take him alive
The battle that cost the lives Of the
TWO policemen occurred around board
ing house In Cedar Grove, where Fed
erici had been staying for three months.
Reports that the stranger in Luigi Ii
ouori's boarding place was the much
, sought Federico reached the police Fri
day night.
Early yesterday Robert Shannon, Of
the East Orange force, and William
Mertz, acting detective, from Bloomfield,
, backed by three other policemen, sur
rounded the house.
shannon went TO the front door, in
{ which were glass panels, and Knocked
with the butt of his revolver.
who do you wsnt?" demanded a
mans voice from within.
Death Shot Answers Demand.
We're after Federico. Send him out, A"
answered the detective.
Get of Of those steps or III shoot
Was the retort.
Fire away! III stay here until"-
But the detective never finished.
There was a crash as both barrels of
me shotgun were fired. Shannon's head
was blown from mis- body.
Tn other policemen rushed TO shell
ter At the same time Federico dashed
TO the second floor and opened fire from
window.
William r. Higgins, Of the Glen Ridge
police, and Detective David Wendell, Of
{ East Orange. were struck almost At the
same time SO close together did the
reports sound, the police feel certain
that the gunman had at least one ac-
compiice with him.
As shot after shot came from the
house. there was hasty consultation.
lt was decided to call for reinforce
meats. and the attacking force, with the
exception Of Mertz, hurried TO the home
Of doctor TO tele lone to East Orange.
On their return they hear a shot in
7tne rear of the house. Chief Of Police
9+lohn Dougherty rushed around to the
rear and found Merit lying dead from
- shot through the neck. Tracks in the
snow told OF the escape of the muir
dCrcr.
Slayer's Papers Fonnd.
&. The front door Of the house was i'm
mediately battered down, and the first
man 70 enter stumbled over the shotgun
tnat had caused the death of Shannon.
IL little room above were found let
terS and papers that proved the identity
OF Federico
A few minutes later armed farmers.
workmen and policemen began a sys-
tcmatic search Of houses, sheds and
every available hiding place in the
neighborhood The trail left by the
fugitive ended in a sandy spot adjoin-
ing a swamp.
Later in the morning a negro re-
ported hearing a shot in the swamp.
hunt among the dark recesses of the
morass failed 20 uncover any trace OF
the missing man. 1t is now feared that
further loss of life may result, as the
posse is determined to take Federico
. dead or alive.
Liquor, keeper Of the boarding
house, and Vincenzo Puaso, the fugi-
tive's room mate, were arrested and
questioned by the police. Later they
were released
Attending physicians say the police
men who were wounded will recover.
Federico, who was a constable and
process server in Newark for several
: months, became infatuated with Miss
Mira De Puy, 1870 Hollywood Avenue
Newark When the young woman re-
> fused TO accept his attentions Feceric
is said 10 have become enraged anc
threatened TO kill her.
Early in September Federico met
> Miss De Puy walking IN the street with
Charles Burr Federico drew his re-
volver, and, without a word. fired a.
Z Burr, seriously wounding him. Fed
erici then disappeared.
II vas learned yesterday that Fed
Z crici rode bicycle daily, carrying ;
2 shotgun with him. Detectives say thai
he was practising with the weapon i
ordc, 10 make himself better able e
, carry out his threat not to be tsker
& alive.
Ir FcdericTs room was found bot
lie of blue yitrioi m crystal form. II
g. suggested that he was keeping TINS
as means OF committing suicide II
Inc event that he was unable TO stant
OF the attacks OF the police.