New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-10-24
Whitestone Landing
Man, Defying Arrest,
Fights from Roof
SHOOTS QUEENS
OFFICER TO DEATH
Wounds Two Police Be-
fore Sergeant, with
Rifle, Stays Him

.s.,noon bullets travelled among the
go. sbou, the little frame house OF
rr.,s Tsf. near the station Of the
Ions Island Railroad at Whitestone
T.rsins. Long Island. Taft. armed
a, two repeating shotguns and two
"a, hsttled from the roof Of his
-. with a score of policemen sur
rourding the place.
r,,,ds the house while the battle
.,.a Law the body of Paul Stier, Sheriff
a, oueens County. who had been shot
,.rr with a charge Of buckshot when
\. entered the house to serve war
rsnt on Taft.
ps,d at bay by repeated fusillsdes
t,om TsF's heavy weapons, the police
x.-. enabled at last to put an end to
n. fght by the expert craftsmanship
=, Sergeant James Fitzgerald. Of the
washing station. With an automatic
ia Sergeant Fitzgerald. who was
erOuched behind a tree, sent bullet
,h,oush Taf's head, killing him in
santly.
B.fOre Taft FELL, however, his bull
,.,s had found victims in Sergeant
r;t,ssrald and two other policemen
John purkin and John Fox. AT the
Flushing Hospital it was said last nigh'
al these officers would recover, al
though their wounds are severe.
battle-ground Picturesque
I'll. little house that was the scene
Of Yesterdays double tragedy sits amid
pe,urssoue surroundings in the cen
IRE Of wood. 100 yards from the rail-
,osS station. So near that the tapping
a. n. waves can be heard lie the wa
ter, Of Long Island Sound. A narrow
winding lane leads TO the dwelling from
Ii. nearest thoroughfare, Twentieth
Street Following 1t one passes
stree. lifted out Of the Orient-rows OF
simsy buildings Of boards and plaster
canvas and psint-a street Mary PICK
ford recently has trod, for the land IS
used as an open-air studio by the
Famous Players company.
Shortly after o'clock yesterday az
ernoon Sheriff Stier passed up the
littls lane, accompanied by Under
Sheriff Samuel J. Mitchell and Patrol
nan John Durkin, from tho police
booth a. Beechhurst, near by. Shern
stier anticipated trouble. for three
days before Frank Taft. eccentric IN
sntor, reputed in the neighborhood 70
te mad, had driven from his door at
the point Of q shotgun two deputy
shsnfs seeking 70 serve warrant on
him. Because Of this the Sheriff had
enlisted the aid Of the policeman be-
fore approaching the house.
Defied Orders OF Court
TsHs contempt for the law had been
Indicated by the cslmness with which
ne had ignored an order 70 appear In
court after q judgment Of $500 had
been obtained against him by the firm
Of Bradley, Currier & Co. He had been
fred $3.50 By Justice Benedict for con-
tempt, and Ss2 in costs had been added
to this amount. Last week Justice Van
Sielen IN the Queens County Supreme
Court Issued an order for his arrest
The rear door 20 the two story build
ing was opened at the Sheriff's knock
By Mrs. TaH. Almost at the entrance
steep fight Of stairs led 70 the sec
ord Aoor. At his wife's call Taf-s
sislwsrt, heavy man Of medium height,
With beard Of fiery red-appeared at
The head Of the stairs. A wild light
cleaned in his eyes as he looked down
% the officers. Almost before they
could announce their mission a stream
o. threats and yituperation poured
iron Tsa's lips. Stepping back into
ne room behind him. he reappeared
armed With repeating shotgun and
l.velled II al Durkin and the Sheriff.
ne ordered them from the house.
Durkin, in advance, placed his foot
On the stairs and Sheriff Stier stepped
~ his side. There came fash and a
fear that seemed 20 shake the little
heuse, and the Sheriff fell dying, q
fsDing wound Just above his heart
Blood poured from Durkin's left cheek,
mere bvekshot had ripped il open.
vihtr scattering bullets had wounded
Nm IN the left nip and knee.
Wounded Officer Returns Pire
Staggering back, Durkin drew his re-
toivsr and opened fire on Taft, who re-
treated into the room above. Forgetful
y his oNn peril. Durkin sought 20 save
Ne sheriff from a new attack. His re
,,eiVtf Ia readiness 20 fire. he dragged
rs wounded companion out OF range.
~ The two men made their progress
kfcts the floor there came another
eifa,hing report and charge Of buck
shpt tore through the ceiling and scat
xsrs1 about them. Twice more Taft fired
Mfepgh the floor In an effort % com
p'tte bls work.
Under Sheriff Mitchell. who had re-
named outside the house, sped for az
s,.snes a. the sound Of the first shots.
,,ii<tn minutes later the reserves from
"hi,tstons and Flushing. under Ser
pant fitzgerald, we're on the scene.
isiieNsd by Dr. Howard Rhyme. who
srfiysd IN an ambulance from the
Tething Hospital
FstrelmAn Durkin had escaped from