New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-10-24

of his shots had already put Patrolman
Fox out of the fray, with wound IN
the left breast.
Suddenly an inspiration came TO Ser.
geant Fitzgerald. Out In the SOUND
the United States torpedo boat de-
stroyer Henley lay at anchor, Ser,
reant Fitzgerald, veteran United
States cavairyman and . crack rife
shot. who had qualified as . sharp
shooter at the police training camp at
Fort Wadsworth last summer, knew
that with one Of the high-powered ser
vice rifles he could bring. down his
man. He crept to the edge OF the
Sound, and from Lieutenant Mcintyre,
of the destroyer, he obtained tho weap-
on he wished.
From cover Of a tree Sergeant Fiti-
gerald called last warning to Tan.
Urges Him to Surrender
ave got a high power rife here,
Taft" he shouted, "snd you'd better
give In"
go ahead and try your luck" re-
shot you are"
Taf's rife cracked, and Sergeant
Fitzgerald sank back with bullet In
his leg. Despite his wound the ser
gent took careful aim and fred. His
Bullet found its mark. Taft sank back
dead, and the fght was ended.
News of the battle had spread
through the surrounding territory, and
while the fight was still in progress
automobiles had filled the roads, bring
ing spectators TO witness the conflict.
Soon Representative Charles Pope
Caldwell, counsel to the Sheriff, and
Coroner Daniel Ebert arrived, and the
latter took charge of the bodies.
DR.. William II. Nammack. Coroner's
physician, found Taft had been wound
ed twice in the legs before Sergeant
Ftzgerald's bullet flashed him. He
had bound up his wounds and fought
on
By order OF District Attorney
OLeary, the police held Mrs. Taft and
her eighteen-year-old son, Alfred, as
material witnesses. They were the only
the Sheriff arrived. They took refuge
in a nearby house while the battle
was on.
Daughter at School
Ruth Taft, the slain mans fifteen
year-old daughter, was at school when
the ARRAY began. She arrived soon after
it ended, to learn her father had been
killed. Other members Of the Taft fam
ily-Edward, thirteen years old; Eliza
beth, twenty-one; Florence, twenty-six;
Mary, twenty mine, and Mrs. Lorraine
Faber, a daughter. were not At home
when the battle took place.
Taft had a sufficient supply of am
munition on the roof TO have held the
police at bay for days. There were $50
buckshot shells for his two automatic
shotguns and $50 cartridges for his two
rifles. His pockets also were filled with
ammunition. The police also found on
him over $3.50 in cash and two gold
watches.
Taft had lived in milestone ali his
life and had for years been known as
an eccentric character. He was fifty
eight years old. Nearly twenty-five
years ago he is said to have invented
fnlike propeller for ocean vessels.
which he sought to sell to several gov
ernments. 1t failed to prove success
and Taf's eccentricities are said to
have dated from that failure.
He was an expert marksman, and
frequently demonstrated his ability by
clipping leaves from the trees above
the heads Of frightened campers near
his home. Motion picture cowboys, rid
ing for the camera near his home. have
often been frightened to find q gun
levelled at their heads by aft. but as
he never fred no complaints were made.
Policeman To Be Arraigned
Sergeant Fitzgerald will be arraiEned
to day in Long Island City for hear.
ing in connection with his shooting of
Taft, but it is expected he will be Off
cially exonerated.
Sheriff Stier lived at Islington Ave
nue.. Jamaica. He was prosperous
builder of Ridgewood, and entered poll
tics only last November, when he was
elected on the Democratic ticket. II had
been his boast that he would run the
Sheriff's Office on business basis, and
he had been responsible for many re-
forms during his brief period In office.