Year: 1866

RrvxR TH,rvEs UNDER FIRE E--At an early hour yester-
day morning an officer Of the Fortyfth precinct dis
covered two river thieves small boat the Grand
street foy Upon hailing them, they mado effort to
get away The officer then drew his revolver and dis
charged il at them three times. They abandoned their
boat and managed TO escape In searching tho boat the
officer found Sill in pennies, which u was subsequently
discovered had been stolen from the once OF the Houston
street Ferry Company large amount Of pennies were
left in the office, and 1t Is supposed the thieves were
about TO return for their second load when they
discovered by the officer


Two PA1rxr-SAFE GAME OPERATORS COMMITTED TO AWAIT
THE ACTION OF GRAND JURy.-The patent-safe game
has been carried on a considerable extent in the
suburban sections Of Brooklyn and the operators who
are in the habit OF fleeing the verdant rarely IL
ever caught Yesterday, however two of these nimble
fingered gentry were up before Justice Cornwel to
charge Of larceny from the person Of Benjamin
Harris verdnnt Canadian. The of the accused
are John Parker aud George Stephens. The complain
ant Harris testified that he 10 New York
9th Of July OF Pages Hotel in West street,
New York. Parker induced him 60 to Brooklyn and
In a lane in the suburbs they met George stephens
piled that he had shell which would throw Greek
fire. The patent was shown, which Of course was the
patensfc which has frequently been described. Harris
was soc ted TO bet but refused when Stephens finally
stole his poc1elbook, containing fortyeight dollars and
made off with it. He was was about to follow when
Parker p ckcd up stone and threatened to knock
his brains out in case he attempted to pur
suo them. Harris secured the services of Sergeant





taken into custody. They then attempted TO settle the


matter the street. and handed tho pocketbook to
Harris On looking the money he found that only
$13 had been retirned Tho oiicer told them they
could not settle the case there. After taking them to
the station house he went back and found roll o. coun
terfcit gold pieces which Parker had thrown away
Jud Q Cornwe committed the accused to await the
action of the Grand Jury.


A MASDAaUs AGAINST MAyoA BooTH.-A motion was
made yesterday before Judge Gilbert, in the Supreme
Court for maudamus to compel Mayor Booth to sign
warrant for the of $1,000 in favor OF /. Il. Duf
which sum was claimed to be due for repairing the
streets. 1t appears from the argument that Mr. John
f. Barret had several contracts with the city, AT his
death there balance due him from the city Of the
above amount Mr.. Duff appeared and claimed the
amount on the ground that he q partner or
the deceased, and had completed the contracts.
His bill for tho amount was audited, and
the Comptroller made out warrant and signed it, The
relatives Of the deceased denied the alleged partnership
and begped the Mayor not to sign the document The
Mayor under the circumstances refused 10 sign the war
rant and these proceedings were taken to compel him 10
do SO. Mr. Schumaker, the Corporation Counsel, ap-
about the matter that Mayor Booth could not deter
mine to whom the money belonged until 1t was cstab
lishod in OF tho courts Il claimed by the
ccutors of Mr. Barrett that Mr. Duff never was partner
OF Mr.. Barrett and he argued that the court had
power to compel tue Mayor TO sign the warrant. The
Judge reserved his decision.


CHARGE LIBEL AGAINST THE BROOKLYN EAGLE
Mr.. Porter Fitch, prominent merchant Of New York
has commenced action in the Supreme Court against
the Brooklyn Eagle, damages being assessed to the
of S25 O0O The of comp ant all ged by
Mr. Fitch is the publication of report originating with
a dismissed servant formerly in his employ, and who as
he claims, attempted TO extort money fIom him by
threatening tho circulation OF scndalous accusations
against him. The case promises to be very interesting
one, and eminent counsel have been engaged on both