The New York Herald Newspaper, September 9, 1873, Page 7

s THE NATHAN MURDER, Weaving a Web Around Somebody. Mrs. Irving, the Wife of the California “Confessor,” Found—A Midnight Inter- view with the Detectives and She Promises to, Aid Thew. Some Startling Facts for the Detectives. A Living Witness of the Conspiracy Seen by the Herald Reporter—He Testified to Mr. Jour- dan That Irving, Kelly and Gunning Ar- ranged the Job in His Presence; That . Irving Showed Hm Nine $1,000 Bonds the Morning of the Murder and Admitted His Participation in It. WHERE THE DOG CAME FROM The publication in the HERALD within tho past few days o/ certain facts as to the Natuan murder, in connection with the confeaston of John T. Irving in San Francisco, has set Superintendent Matsell to thinking more of the case than of the political campaign this fail, and it {s safe to say that he now P'acea more reliance in the utterances of the sup- Posed “California beat” than he did when this thief and burglar first ofered to “give his friends way” for the purpose of getting a free pardon for his crimes committed in this city and in Brooklyn. Mr. Matsell, while professing to discard the state- merits of Irving, has had his detectives at work, and since the publication of the “confession” inthe HERALD they have redoubled their efforts and are working now on the theories that Jourdan leit unfinished long, long ago, At two o’clock Sunday morning OAPTAIN KENNEDY'S SCOUTS FOUND MRS. IRVING, the wife of the “‘confessor,’’ and later in the morn- ing he haa an interview with her. Mrs. Irving, whose residence is in the Fourteenth ward, had read in the HERALD that she was wanted, and to | the Captain made a statement o! all she knows of the case. The memorandum book may have been given to him, but if so the detectives keep that fact carefully guarded, and in answer to the in- Quiries of the representatives of the press declare that “there is nothing new.’ On Friday, after the first publication in the HeRaLp, Mr. Matsell put down his foot and exclaimed to Captain Kennedy, “DON’T OPEN YOUR MOUTH TO REPORTERS,” a hint that the Captain has evidently acted upon for the reason that he tells all who call that he knows nothing. Nevertheless Mr. Kennedy cannot deny that between two and three o’clock Sunday morning he was OLOSETED WITH THE WIFE OF THE CALIFORNIA BURGLAR, and that he spent the entire night in searching for information she gave him. A representative of the HERALD has ascertained that Mrs. Irving, who has Blways been a respectable, hard working woman, and has not participated in the evil deeds of her husband, is now working in 4 DOWNTOWN FACTORY, Supporting herself and children, ana she is afraid that the notoriety now given to the case will result im her discharge by her employer if her workshop is discovered, and she is besieged by members of the press for interviews. While the police authorities may ridicule Irving and his confessions, a part of which are lies of the most palpable kind, they discover that the state- ments as to ‘ THE MEMORANDUM BOOK AND ITS CONTENTS are true in every particular, and they are satisfied that he knows more than he has yet told. The writer, who knew much of the movements o/ Super- intendent Jourdan and his theories in the case, bas personal knowledge that THERE 18 A LIVING WITNESS to very important testimony sustaining a part of Irving’s confession, These statements have been reduced to writing, and, while the publication of ali of them would defeat the detectives, who pos- sibly have the same testimony, a few of them may be here given. This witness can be found at any time and will go on the stand and substantiate them. He is not a thief, although he has assuciated more or less with this class of the community, and it was upon his testimony and that of another that JOURDAN WAS TRYING TO FIX THE MURDER UPON IRVING _ Bnd his associates when the former died. The testimony shows that beforethe murder a time was fixed to terminate Mr. Nuthan’s existence, that it failed, and that not many hours betore Mr. Nathan died so mysteriously Irving and other notorious burglars named inet in a house in West Thirty-first street, near Eighth avenue, to effect final preparations; that there Irving boasted that he was bound to make enough to retire, and he had no fear of being gonvicted t1 caught, for he . “HAD INFLUENCE BEHIND HIM.” The morning alter the murder Irving met certain persons in a downtown ward, and, exhibit- ing to the witness mine $1,000 ‘bonds, remarked that that was bis “stake” in last night's job; he handed the bonds to # woman, remarking that he was sorry “Dan (referring to Kelly) had struck the ‘old covey’ so hard.’ He conversed regarding the Nathan muraer, deciared that they did not in- Yend to kill him, and finally leit the bonds in the ‘woman's custody and disappeared for the day. While they were for Cy DAYS ou aEe rete OF WIS WOMAN | the In‘ormant of Superintendent Jourdan counte teh, aud found nine abo bonds, which he minutely described to the’ late superintendent. Alter the papers had described the mur- der and the circumstances connected there- with Irving and his accomplices met in the upper room of a house in Park Btreet and there burned all the bonis and pores that could be identified. This was while the bonds, left by Irving in the custody of the woman, were | still secreted by her. the floor of a house on the east side of the city for nearly six months, and Superintendent Jourdan failed to unearth them or discover the number of the house. They are supposed to be still there, aud detectives are now trying to find them, ‘The above is Only a portion of THE CLEWS UPON WHICH MR. JOURDAN WAS WORKING atthe time o! his death witha view of bringing the crime home to Irving, Dan Kelly and others. ‘The reporter of the HERALD long ago cofversed ‘with the man who says that he counted the bonds and handied them, and since Irving’s “confession” has ascertained that he substantiates all Irving's statements as far as he (the witness) was familar with them, except tnat, instead of there being $6,000 or $7,000 worth of bonds, there were nine $1,000 bonds. This is as much as it is proper to state in this connection; but the question Maturally suggests itscli, “Has Superintendent Jourdan leit these facts as A LEGACY FOR MIS SUCCESSORS, upon which to complete a web of circumstantial evidence that under careful manipulation might Tesult in solving the great mystery ‘” or, to put another question, “Has this very important evi- dence, given years ago, died with the late great detective 1 A VINDICATION OF A DEAD MAN. In conversation with a HERALD reporter a very old and esteemed captain of police, of no detective ability, however, expressed himseli very strongly Tegarding Superintendent Jourdan, and stated that he (Jourdan) had “covered” (to use a poiice term that means “protected”) Irving in many of his operations before and subsequent to the mur- der. Thisis true as faras it goes, Jourdan did “cover” him,’ but never lost sight of him, had his SPIES TRACKING IRVING day and night, and when Irvimg participated in other robberies he was closely followed and Watched, hoping that eventually the crime would be brought home to him. It is believed that Jourdan was bape weaving a web around ‘one of the most daring burgiare that ever, with the connivance of a bank of B bank president's’ room, from above and below, shot a police officer, robbed an emigrant ‘on the Battery or picked a pocket in his youn days, Had Jourdan lived longer probably Mr. sell would never have had an opportunity to ist ip running the murderer of Benjamin Nathan to his hole as he may have now. On Sunday a number Of persons Were put under police surveillance, in- cluding the lady in whose company one ofthe fam- fly was on the bes ia of the murder. It has recently been discovered that Irving was one of the cracksmen who robbed the Ocean Bank, corner of Fulton and Greenwich streets, a few years @go, and it was owing to the terror that he ad of Jourdan that induced him to leave a large amount ¥ the unconyertible bonds in @ trunk in front of lo. 7 alt th street, addressed to Jourdan. Irving was so bold in his operations that he made ® second trip to the bank and carried off a large Amount of gold coin, Why he wag pover arrested it r Later they were hid under | cial, bored holes into | j through ‘ NEW YORK HERALD, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1873—QUADRUPLE SHEET. by Jourdan for this crime is @ mystery, and some believe that 1t was because the Superintendent had not suMcient evidence, It is notorious that the chief accomplices of Irving im nearly all of his jobs were Daniel Kelly, Caleb Guoning, and Billy rrester, WO Was avout a year ago brought from New Orleans unon his “confession” of participa- tion in the murder, It is not known whether Mr, Matsell.intends to send for Irving, but it is certain that he now teels satisiied that he has knowled of importance. It is safe to say that re Matsell is not aware of the information given by the man who counted the boyds to Mr. Jourdan, and doubtless when he reads the above and verifies them by sending lor the man he will be still more anxious to sift Irving's statements to the bottom. Caleb Guoning, one of the men accused of the Nathan murder, is @ man well known to the police, and they have had to look aiter him from time to time since boyhood. He is the genius who, on the nigut of the 6th of February, 1871, entered | br. Burtseil’s tn Twenty-first street, by making his Way through the basement oi the Church of the Epiphany. He was detected, however, caught and brought to trial, amd for the little job he was sen- tenced to two years? and six mouths’ hard lavor ta the State Prison, He served his time ont, and, .Aiter returning to the city, kept very quiet jor a While. Aiter Gunning was convicted the police discovered the fact that his accomplices were Irv- ing and Kelly. ‘Guuning, however, could not keep from cxereising his pecuiiar genius when a good | opportunity for the display of 1t presented, amd 80 a short time ago he was rewarded by being sentenced to six months on Blackwell’s Island tor stealing @ package of papers {rom a lady in a First or Second avenue car, He tried hard to make good his escape by ‘aking to his heels, but the police were too nimble jor him, It woutd surprise no one who knows Gunning ifhe were actuaily the murderer of Nathan} ior the police aduut him to be One of the worst men in the city of New York. Kelly is now in Auburn State Prison, having been transiervcy there trom Sing sing in Apitilast. A representative o: the HERALD yester- day went to Sing Sing to see Kelly, but found that he had been removed to Auburn, a3 stated, Irving’s Confession Analyzed. The “confession” of Irving, published in the HERALD, carefully “boiled down,” shows that he ties in some points and in others gives facts that are true inevery particular, and which could not be ascertained unless he nad participated in the murder, or read the memorandum book that all of the friends of Mr, Nathan attach so much importance to. A few of Irving’s inaccuracies that he may have thrown in to deceive the detectives are the following :— First—He lies as to the residence of his wife at No, 100 Fast Thirtieth street. She has lived for some time in the Fourteenth ward, and her resi- dence is known to reporters of the HERA®D. Second—tie says that one of his “pais hid under Nathan’s bed. Mr. Nathan slept upon mattresses on the floor, and Caleb Gunning could hardly get under the bed without awaking the old gentleman. Third—He claims to have made $60,000 by trad- ing at Forest Hill, Cal. A palpable lie, as bis career in New York will show. Fourth—tlis stery of the place from which the “dog” was obtained is true. It wasin Park street, @ few acors from the house where, the following day, he showed the nine bonds; but detectives now believe that the “dog” was never used in the murder, but was covered with blood after the mur- der and left as a “stall,” to use a police term. Fisth—He says that Dan Kelly and Caleb Gunning were his chief accomplices. This con- trms information long ago obtained by Jourdan and followed up until the time of his death. Sic'h—His statements implicating Washington Nathan and John Kelly, alias McAnally, the house- keeper’s son, are not iully sustained by any patneny secured during Jourdan’s lifetime or ince. Statement Made by a Thief to Captain Irving While in a Jersey Prison—Cu- rious Revelations. At @ time when every circumstance connected with that mysterious and tragical event, the mur- der of Mr. Nathan, is being revived in the minds of the public, the following statement made to Cap- tain Irving, of the detective force, and Detec- tive William H, Moore, cannot fail to be interesting. It was made by a man named Benjamin Tracy, who was confined in prison in Trenton, N. J., and who at the moment of the confession wanted but sixteen days of the hour o/ his liberation from custody. ‘Tne revelations containtd in this paper were en- tirely unsolicited and taken down at the request of Tracy, who sent word to Captain Irving of the matter he wanted to talk about, The police have had this paper in their possession since Septem- ber, 1872, and only produce it now because it bears curiously upon theories started then and long believed in, which have not been quite forsaken et. When the detectives arrived at the Trenton ison Tracy was brought out to the reception room, where, in presence of the Warden and some other officials, he made the following STATEMENT. I amnineteen. I was arrested by Officer Fiynn, of the Third precinct of New York, for grand la ceny, committed in Hudson county, New Jersey. I was sentenced to eighteen months. My time will expire in about sixteen days. I am_ ac- juainted with men about Houston street. Abeut ali-past seven or eight o’clock on the night of the murder of Mr. Nathan—I think it was about the 28th or 29th of Julv—I was ina Third avenue car, going towards the City Hall. A few blocks above Houston street @ tall man got in the car and took @ seat beside me. He wore a light-colored spring overcoat. He paid his fare, and put his pocketbook tn his left pocket of bis pantaloons. I went through him. [ took his pocketbook and got off the car, and went louston street, towards Broadway. When about haif a block from the Bowery I saw two gen- tlemen tollowing me; one of them when he got to me put his hand on my shoulder and said, “Youn: man, I want you.” I asked him what he wante me for, and he opened his coat and said, ‘Do you see that?” Isaid, “Yes, sir, 1 see it; what's that got to do with me “We are two de- tectives, and we want you.’? The tall one did the talking, and said, “Do you think we did not see you pick that man’s pocket? Now, you just produce that man’s pocketbook and you will save yourself some trouble.” I opened my coat quickly, at the same time throwing the ocketbook, and told them to go through me. They saw me and the shorter man of the two picked up the book from the gutter, saving, ‘See here, reef where the young rascal threw it.’” They laughed, and the tall one took off a pair of false sidewhiskers and said, ‘‘Halloo! Benny ; don’t is know me’ “Why, halloo! Billy. Why, I hought I was copped sure.” ‘Yes, and you will copped, syre. Dutch August ts after you and he is in this ward to-night. You, come along with us and we will see that he won't harm you. You come with us to Harry Hill's. We have a pice little job for you.” I asked him what it was. He said, ‘Ask me no questions and I'll tell you no lies.” They took me jo Harry Hill’s, We sat down at a table in the back room— they have tables front and back. Oh, I forgot to tell you. Billy put on his side whiskers again yhen he took them off that time to see if I knew hint. Billy told me he had plans laid to crack a house up town; “We only want you to do a iitti¢e Piping you won't run any risk.” We drank and .smoked and then went uptown. [went up with the short fel- low, who was cailed by Biily, Larry. This Billy is called Forrester, Billy Forrester; the tall one, We went toasaioon, in the basement, opposite the Grana_ Opera House; he gave me there a carpet bag. I took the bag and he tola me to go down Twenty-third street, by a church below Booth’s Theatre, he told me to put the bag in the corner of the churchyard. It was about eleven o'clock. He told me to ‘Wait until Lheard a whistle. If about three-quarters ofan hour after I heard the whistle, and saw Forrester and Larry. Larry beckoned me to come over; ver, took the bag from me and walked towards Fifth avenue; they told me to go back to the other side aud follow them up. N. B,—I am acquainted with the locality. [know the Fifth Avenue Hotel, and the murder was com- mitted ima house on the Same side ag the Fiith Avenue Hotel. I waited by the church on the op- posite side, the side Booth’s Theatre ison. Isaw ther go into the basement; one wentin. Forrester stayed out and leaned on the railing (the house 1s in about the middie of the block) ; in a lew minutes Isaw the short stout man moving about on the second floor, over the stoop; he opened the middie window and fixed a wire and a string which was on @ spool and _ threw it inte the courtyard. Forrester caught the end, and brought it over to me, and toid me to look out, and if any one came by, if only a child, to pall the string once; if any suspicieus people, policemen, or the like, to pull twice; ifany one went up on the stoop, to pull three times, rry then let down a@ rope ladder. Forrester told me that they would come out at the front door when they got through, and that he wouid throw the ladder into the street, and I must take it, with the string, and throw it over the church wall. Forrester went up the ladder to try it, and went in, and stayed in about an hour and ten minutes, I then got the ladder which they threw ont, and threw it over the churchyard tence, which I think was a board fence. They then came out and walked towards Sixth avenue, I joined them after they iene Booth’s Theatre. Forrester said, “Well, Benny, we have done more than we iniended to night; but we have a good haul. I worked a little too heavy to-ni "We walked around until we came to the New England Hotei, corner of Bowery and Bayard street, Forrester got two rooms, 55 and 56 or 65 and 66. We went up stairs, I in one room, they in the other. I went to bed. soon’ after knocked and came in. le said, “Now, we have laid this bloke out. He was going to squeal, and we heard @ woman up stairs, and, finding something handy— an iron, I think they said it was—we gave it to him, They gave me $400 in $10 bills, mostly new, and told’ me to go to Boston. In the yin | Forrester came into my room. He took me by th throat and pressed me against the wall and said, “Now, just imagine that you're strung up like this, Now, keep your mouth shut and you'll be all right because you are in it too.” Forrester said tha’ they would go out West for @ year or so until the ie would blow ove i LA td came back ey Would see thar I was Tracy’s depoription of Forrester:—Aga, adopt ‘orrester thirty-cwo; six feet slim; large, expressive eyes, between-a tay a black or a hazel; thin face; large, thick mustache, brown; dark brown hair, very thick; a tooth out of the upper front. Jerry :—Age, about twenty-five; five feet seven noes: stout, good color, black mustache and goatee. Tracy has since been living in New York, and the police can at any moment lay bands upon him. Irving’s Counsel Denies His Story. SEPTEMBER 8, 1873, To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:— I was counsel for Irving at the time he was dis- charged on habeas corpus, I defended Forrester on his examination beiore Justice Dowling when he was charged with the perpetratioh of this horrid crime, and | brought George Ellis down from Sing Sing on writ of habeas corpus, Without divulging communications made to me in my professional capacity, I deew it my duty, in justice to Mr, Wash- mgton Nathan (who has been, as | know, most cruelly and falsely assailed by Irving's falsehoods), to state that the ‘dog’ was obtained from a place called “Nunda,”” and was never seen by Irving, and that the whole of Irving's story is wickedly jaise, as the late Supertntendent of Police, James J. Kelso; Judge Dowling, ihbilip Farley, detective officer, and George Ellis, now in Sing Sing State Prison, can testify; and 1 have no hesi- tation in declaring, trom facts within my know- | ledge, imparted to me by chents, that Irving was no participator in the crime, and that his story concerning it is a fabrication, which, when sifted, has not even ingenuity tocommend it, Yours very Tespectiully, WILLIAM F, HOWE, SHIPWRECK AND LOSS OF LIFE. Two Whalers Lost in Hudson’s Bay— Fourtcen Sailors Victims to Scurvy. New Beprorp, Mass., Sept. 8, 1873. The schooner Abbie Bradford, at this port from Hudson’s Bay, reports the !oss of two New Bedford whalers, and brings a portion of the crew of one of them, The particulars are as follows:—On the 14th of September, 1872, the bark Orray Taft, at anchor near Marble Island, Hudson’s Bay, parted her cable and went ashore, landing high and dry in such a position that she could not be got off, On the 19th of October following the bark Ansel Gibbs went ashore at the same place, went to pieces, and is a total wreck. The Orray Taft had no oil, but the Ansel Gibbs had 550 barrels of whale oil and 1,100 pounds of bone, most of which was lost, A smail amount was saved by the Abbie Bradford. NO mep were lost at the time of the wrecks, but both crews were obliged to live on the island until the 2d of August last, and irom exposure and the lack of proper 1ood were attacked by scurvy. The winter was iearfully cold, being the most severe for a number of years, 80 that the natives of the island died by scores, and the wrecked crews suiiered ex- condingty. Ten of the crew of the Ansel Gibbs and four of the crew of the Orray Tait died. Their names and residences are as follows :—Of the Ansel ! Gibbs, Charles Stiles, of North Adams, Mass. ; George Hadley, of Portsmouth, N. H.; Murry D. McConnell, oi Jacksonville, Ul.; Emil Bender aud Charles Sisnor, of Germany, and five Portuguese. Of the Orray Taft, James Marshall, of Montreal; James arity, of Natick, Mass.; Frank Coleman, of Brooklyn, N. Y., and John A, Grabam, of Liver- pool, England, The second mate of the Abbie Bradiord, Henry B. Martin, of Springfield, died of scurvy on the 28th of June. The crew of the Orray Taft and three of the crew of the Ansel Gibbs will come home 1m another vessel, "OVERBOARD! Alarming Scrimmage in the Water at Pier 41 North River. A curious scene was enacted last eyening at six o’clock, when the steamboat St. John moved away from pier 41 on her trip for Albany. It appears that two brothers, named Daniel D. and Charles J. Mahanny, who had been delayed on the boat prior to her departure, partaking of one of those “fare- well drinks,” which are so succulent to a parched palate, were warned by the whistle that it was ume to drop the straw and hasten landward. Leaving the bar they hurried to the deck and at- tempted to regain the pler, but the plank was non erat, and in their precipitation they jumped over- board, proving emphatically and incontestibly that the “farewell drinks” were of the purest fusil oil, The better half of one of the parties stood upon the pier, and thought it neces- sary, on beholding her husband's natatorial ex- ploits in the North River, to set up one of those characteristic female howls which spread terror in the hearts of all passers-by. A large crowa, at- tracted by the noise and war whoop practising, rushed to the side of the boat and, of course, in the kindness of thelr hearts, began to laugh. That laugh was short and ended in a groan, for the rall- ing and gate suddenly gave way, and quite a num- ber of the pleasure seekers dove gracefully into the Hudson, making day hideous with their scream- ing. ‘Saptam Leary, with officers Hay, King, Donohue and Irving, aided by boatmen, few to the rescue, the following persons—Oharles L. Cieve- nd, of Utica; Julius Rodeualzt, Charles H. Richardson, Daniel and Cnarles J. Mahanny, Henry La Moor and an Italian harpist named Asse- tini Igampi, living at 144 Baxter street, were saved from a watery are ‘The latter exiie from Naples—a mere boy—was sent home, where he will probably be severely thrashed for the bath he doubtless needed, The other tree swimmers changed their clotuing at the hearest hotel and took the train for Albany. ‘The boat in the meantime had proceeded up the river, and the discomfiture of tts would-be passen- gers Was not noticed. An unclaimed hat remains at the Twenty-sixth Precinct station house, the only souvenir of this little adventure, and the rescued can appropri- ately say, he locomotive tears its way up the Hudson, “All's well that ends well.” MUBDEROUS ASSAULT IN PHILADELPHIA PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 8, 1873, An evening or two ago the superintendent of the female cells in the Almshouse, Mrs, Rebecca McNamara, heard a noise down in the region of the dungeons at one moment and the next she heard a wild and frightful cry, Rushing down stairs she met Mary Bentley coming up, holding a bloody razor inher hand. She had attacked a woman named Mary Whalen, whom she struck, laying se a@ wide gash across her throat six inches width: The victim was found in an insensible condition, resting in a pool of blood, All the circumstances of the quarrel, the struggle, or the precise moment in which the woman fiend did the deed, are at present in- volved in mystery. Mary Whalen was carried to the hospital, and 1+ is doubtful whether she will recover from her wound. The other woman freely confesses that she did the deed; that she hated Mary Whalen, and thatit was her intent to killher, She was brought up before Alderman Butler this afternoon, and upon the testimony that the bloody razor was found upor the woman’s person, and that a knitle Was subsequently discovered in her cell, she was ordered to appear before Court charged with in- tent to kill, TRE IOWA RAILROAD TRAIN ROBBERS. At Large and Threatening Farther Outrages=Governor Wood’s Counter Threat. Sr. Lous, Sept. 8, 1873. Aspecial despatch from Sedalia says the Iowa railroad train robbers, who have been flitting about in some of the western counties of this State, are ali together again except McCoy, and’that the de- tectives have information that another bank rop- bery is being planned by them, to be carried out as soon as McCoy joins the gang. All banks tn that part of the State are being closely watched by spe- clal officers, and efforts are constantly beiug made to @upture these desperadoes, The Republican has @ special from Jefferson City saying :—‘‘This gang is now in Clay county and are threatening to burn out certain parties who have been active in their efforts to arrest them,” Governor Woodson is reported to have declared that, if the local authorities and citizens do not ex- hibit a stronger disposition to arrest these outlaws, he will send an armed force alter them, perect EXTRAORDINARY FERRYBOAT ACCIDENT. An Express Wagon Heavily Laden Runs Overboard—A Horse Drowned, Freight Lost and a Corpse Lost. At fouw o'clock yesterday afternoon the Jersey City ferryboat New York was on her way from Cortlandt street to Jersey City, heavily laden witn freight and passengers. In the rear of the boat stood one of Adams’ Express wagons, loaded with trunks, valises, quarters of beef and other miscel- laneous commodities, Two horses were attached to the vehicle, and as the boat. approached the slip the animals, irightened by the backward movement of a team ahead, began to back furiously towards the stern of the boat. The wheels were caught ior a time b the chains, bat the horses continued to move with increased energy, and all on @ sudden pushed the Wagon into the river, horses followed, and the excitement on board became intense. It appears that there was a very large coffin on the Wagon, encasing @ corpse, and, this becoming known, added to the excitement that prevailed. ‘The entire load—trunks, wagon, coffin and ali— floated down the stream and sunk. One of the struggling horses was saved; the other was drowned. It was one of the most remarkable occurrences witnessed in a jong time, such acci- dents being very rare. The ferry authorities will HOW do something t9 Drevept auMAF cagualties AROUND THE CITY HALL. Life Again Appearing in Manicipal Pre- cincts—Office Scekers En Masse—The Chamberlain’s Statement. The vacation of the Board of Aldermen still con- tinues, though there is a decided prospect of a meeting on Thursday next. Since the vacation the Halt has not been so lively as it was yesterday, The trouble in the Board of Assistant Aldermen was, no doubt, to a great extent, responsible tor the crowded passage ways aud general air of bust- ness and excitement, Many were of the usual class Of hungry oitice seekers, like the immortal Micawber, always waiting for sometiing to “turn up.’’ Some oi these may possibly be satisfied by the changes which must take place in the per'son- nel of She attachés of the office of the Clerk of the Board; but, no doubt, by far the greater number | Of aspirants will be disappointed, The Mayor was tn the greater portion of the day, and transacted business as usual, He also received some visitors, Tae City Chamberlain Issued bis usual weekly circular, by which it appears that the balance in the treasury August 30 waa $2,103,848; receipts during weck, $680,428; payments, $913,426; amount on hand September 6, $1,570,461, THE ASSISTANT ALDERMEN. EOS Meeting Yesterday Afiernoon—Chief Clerk Moloney Discharged—Causes of | the Removal—Excitement Around the Board Room. The Board of Assistant Aldermen met at the City Hail yesterday afternoon, The President occupied | the chair, Ihere was a great deal of excitement in | and around tie chamber, as the general expectation was that adecided move was to be made to dis- pense with the services of the Chief Clerk of the Board, This was mainly the reason why the chamber was so densely crowded, not only during the session but some time before. The public sen- timent ran high on the subject. “What are they going to do with Billy’? asked one of the un- washed of another. “I guess they’ve fixed it so that they’li bounce him,” wag the reply; and this, certainly, seemed to be the prevailing opinion, As each Assistant Alderman filed into his seat he was buttonholed and “buzzed” guite extensively. At the proper hour the President rapped his gavel aud culled the board to order, Assistant Alderman FoLky made a motion that the Comptroller be requested to pay the empioyés ol the Board their salary ior the month of August. The motion was adopted. It was then stated tat Comptroller Green had Te,used to pay the clerks appointed by Chiei Clerk Moloney. Assistant Alderman CLaANcy moved to adjourn, but the motion was negatived. Assistant Alderman SIMONSON then made a mo- tion that the Chief Clerk of the Board, W. H. Mo- loney, be requested to resign, and that Constan- tine Donohue be appointed ia his piace, When this motion was made there was great stir in the room, particularly among the outsiders, who began to talk aloud, without any reference to the proceedings. ‘the members themselves com- menced a wordy discussion, which Was only si- lenced aiter some time by the persistent rapping of the Chairman's gavel. ‘Ihen the noise only sub- sided graduaily. A deep silence succeeded, Assistant alderman CLANCY rose to oppose the motion. In the few words he said he took time to state that the motion was made because three of the democrats in the Board had gone over to tue repubiicans, and were now willing to stick by them, Assistant Alderman Strack said that in a matter | like this he did not care for party atiiations, He | Was there to fight for the people, and he was per- fectly open to acknowledge this. . Alter some further discussion on the matter a vote was calied for aud taken. The motion to re- move Mr. Moloney and put Mr. Donohue in his Place was carried by a vote of 11 to 10, Those who voted to remove Mr. Moloney are As- sistant Aldermen Murphy, Wisser, ‘Thorneil, Coa- dington, Strack, Kreps, Wade, Kehoe, Simonson, Linden and Beyea—il, Nays—Assistant Aldermen Foley, Clancy, Keating, Healey, Theiss, Keenan, Bracks, Kelly, CumiskV and sommers—10. it will be seen that Mr. Murphy, whois a demo- crat, voted with the republicans, A resolution was then adopted fixing the salary of Mr, Donohue at $3,v00, and providing for the ap- pointment of seven assistant clerks, @ doorkeeper and two messengers. The Board then adjourned, ‘The reason of this summary treatment of Mr. Moloney is suid to be that Assistant Aldermen Cod- dington and Beyea both had sons clerks under Mr. Moloney. This gentieman reduced the salaries all round to the extent of $1,900, and then ap- pointed an extra clerk ut $1,000 and a messenger at $900. The two Assistant Aldermen went to Comptroller Green and complained about the mat- ter, and then Mr. Moloney discharged the two sons * Of the Assistant Aldermen. ‘The upshot was that Mr. Moloney’s services were dispensed with, BOARD OF APPORTIONMENT. One Handred and Fifty Thousand Dol- lars Appropriated for the Brooklyn Bridge—Affairs of the Bridge Company and How It Stands. The Board of Apportionment met yesterday after- noon, shortly before two o’clock, Mayor Have- meyer in the chair. Kor aome time belore the pub- lic session a private one was held in the Comp- troller’s office for the purpose of authorizing the issue of bridge bonds and also county bonds, and tomake an appropriation for the maintenance of the public boujevards. At the public meeting the Secretary read a reso- lution authorizing the issue of $150,000 worth of New York and Brooklyn Bridge bonds. Upon the law relating to the subject being read the Comptroller moved that the resolution be adopted. When the yote was about to be taken the Comptroller stated that all the private stock of the company had been taken and subscribed for excepting that which was owned by W. M. Tweed, Peter B, Sweeny and Richard B. Connolly. Mr. Wheeler sald he was quite satistied as to the law upon that subject, and, upon vute, the resolution was adopted, ‘The Board then passed a resolution authorizing the issue of $50,000 of county bonds, with which to pay up judgments, uring the meeting the president and the sec- retary of the Bridge Company were present. It ay pears that at present the liabilities of the yd ; Company are 000, including a mortgage on the ground north of the New York pier oi $60,000. On this property $160,000 has already been paid, and the mortgage is held in the Bowery Savings Bank. The city of Brooklyn owes the company $400,000, and the city of New York $300,000. Yesterday's ap- propriation reduces this debt to $150,000, Upon the stock owned by Messrs. Tweed, Sweeny and Con- nolly only eighty per cent has been paid. The re- maining twenty per cent is still due, COMPTROLLER'S RECEIPTS, Comptroller Green reports the following amounts paid yesterday into the city treasury, viz.:—From Receiver of Taxes—Collection of arrears of personal taxes and interest, $2,516, From Bureau of Collec- tion of Assessments—Assessments for street open- ings and improvements and interest, $8,792. From Bureau of Crry Revenue—Market rents and fees and house rent, $1,114. From Bureau of Arrears—Ar- rears of taxes, assessments, water reuts and in- terest, $4,277, From Department of Public Chari- ties and Correction—Board of inmates, fines and sundry receipts appertaining to the Department or Public Charities and Correction, $2,237. From Bureau of Water Regulation—Croton water rents and penal- ties, $947. From Mayor's Second Marshal—Licenses, $11; fees from Eighth Judicial District Court, $29; sale Of the City Record, $11. Total, $19,933, Geo ARREST OF AN ALLEGED SWINDLER Eastport, Me., Sept. 8, 1873. The Deputy Marshal from Portland arrived here on the steamer on Saturday and arrested Pro- fessor Eisman on a charge of swindling. They lett by the steamer for Portland to-day. Pro- fessor Eisman said to be connected with the “Vienna Opera Troupe.” ARRESTED, DISOHARGED AND REARRESTED, | Dangerous Assault. Dr. Place yesterday appeared before Coroner | Keenan and made an aMdavit, in which he set forth that he {s attending Peter Dolan, a lad eight years of age and living at No. 78 Sheriff sttreet, in | a dangerous condition. It is stated that on the 4th inst. Peter was thrown fromacart by Jacob | Slatner, the latter of whom, {t is alleged, then jumped upen and terribly injured him. For this assault Siatner was arrested, and subsequently dis- charged by Justice Shandiey. On the deposition of Dr. Place Coroner Keenan ordered the rearrest ofSlatuer to await the result of the boy’s inja- ries. CARD FROM JAMES F. QUIN. To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD :— I see you mention the name of Quin in reference to the case of Williamson the forger. I happen to know Colonel James Potter, who introduced my- self and others to him apout two months ago. I know, aiso, Mr. French, of Palisade Insurance Company, whose name has been mentioned in the HERALD respecting Williamson; but I know noth- STOP THAT BALLOON. The Voice of “Eiumanity” Pleading. THE DOOM OF PROFESSOR WISE. | A Cheap Attempt Great Object. at a To THE EpiTor oF THe HERALD:— Wednesday evening, as I notice by advertisement in your paper, @ monster balloon will ascend from the Capitoline Grounds, Brooklyn, on an aerial voyage to Europe. It isto be supposed this ven- turb nas been cautiously and carefully considered, | and that it is no mere flush sepsation, such as is introduced into the amusing devices of a Fourth of July celebration or into the extra attractions of a travelling circus. I have heard it loudly proclaimed that this enter- Prise is directed mainly in the interest of science, that it is a voyage of discovery from which it is sanguinely predicted, we shall learn by actual | demonstrations the existence at a certain altitude above the earth of an atmospheric current, setting | steadily towards the east and encircling the entire globe. This tact realized, it is argued, that a new superior order of locomotion will be established, and that any point of the earth’s surface can be reached by following the encircling current forever eastward. It is not my purpose to dispute the ex- istence of this easterly current, All the data we have to guide us concerning the movements of the Upper currents of air are, to say the least, only Plausible. What I desire to call your attention to is the means by which this grand “scientific”? triumph is to be achieved, and by which it is to be demonstrated that aerial communication between the Old and New Worlds is safe and feasible. Professor Wise has made the project of a voyage to Europe by balloon, and through the aid of this much talked of easterly current, the dream of his existence. The results accomplished by the daring discoverers of the past, who, despite the ridicule and incredulity of the times in which they lived, held on to their purpose apd won victory in the end, warns us not to treat this enterprise with laughing indifference, We live in an age of start. ling sensations, and the poet's dream of “the nation’s airy navies in the central blue”? = may to be no mere chimera of the brain. yet prove Aerial com- munication between the continents is likely to be | the next grand achievement of human science. Now whats the prospect that this undertaking Oo! Protessor Wise’s will solve the problem? At the utmost, we guxht to expect no more success than that of his finding the easterly current of | We cannot ina first ex- | which he is so sanguine, periment hope that he wiil "ind exactly where he might desire. Should he land anywhere beyond the Atlantic he would still have won a notable triumph. Is the means for this voyage adequate to its aim and to its responsibili- | ties ? Is Professor Wise, when he ascends next Wednesday evening, going, with open eyes and consciousness, to certain death? oris he to feel within himself an assurance that all which human foresight could devise has been done to render his perilous project within the limits of possible safety and realization? Is this, in other words, to be nothing more than an affair beginning in noisy and mercenary sensation and ending in a sorrowful tragedy? I have my _ misgiv- ings. To-day, in the Capitoline grounds of Brooklyn I saw the great foundering bag which 1s so shortly to bear away among the clouds a freight of human lives, It was partly filled’ with air, and acouple of men were examining the inflated sur- face to detect flaws or holes in the canvas turough which the gas might be aptto escape. AsI was looking on, one of these inSpectors was en- gaged darning a small fissure, and as he seemed to alight upon it casually, it is possible he might discover another of a like char- acter in the course of his examination. One such should be suMcient to cause serious and not un- reasonable alarm. On nearer approach I found that the material of this balloon was composed of unbleached cotton muslin, and that it had beeu varnished with linseed oil tried with ben- zine. Several coats of this varnish had evidently been applied, and the weight and | consistency of the material resembled canvas. | Cotton absorbs oil like a sponge and unlike silk neeas to be excessively varnished before becoming impervious to the escape of gas, I am fairly within the estimate when I say that this “canvas” balloon 1s four times,the weight of one constructed of silk, Consequently you lose three-fourths of the ascensive power that one made of silk would pos- sess. I find iurther that carburetted hydrogen gas, the common gas of the streets, will be used for in- fation in place of pure hydrogen. You have here then anunnecessary and excessive weight in the ma- terial of the balloon itself, and you have next the minimum of ascensive power for its inflation, Cotton saturated and dried in oil oftentimes leads, under certain atmospheric conditions, to spon- taneous combustion, which is @ common source of fires. Will this balloon be safe from combustion in passing through certain atmospheric conditions where the electricity of the cloudsis to be con- sidered. Now why, in the name of Providence, in ar un- dertaking of this kind, with so higha purpose in view as the elucidation of a perplexing problem in serial science and erial navigation, was there not a silk in place of an 6il-soaked cotton balloon pro- vided? I find thatasiik balloon and everytuing necessary for the voyage could have been provided i atan expense of $12,000, or several thousands | less than it is announced this cheap sensation | cost, which is now lying in the Capitoline grounds, | When Professor Wiise, with a@ chivalrous (some | peopie would call it foolhardy) courage, signed the | agreement by which he bound himself to under- take this voyage and carry out the avowed pur- | pose of a lifetime, it was not with the understand. | ing that his mission and his life should be wan- | tonly imperilied. If ho did not stipulate for a silk balloon he had every reason to suppose that those | who made themselves (for their own interest) con- spicuous champions of his design, would look a step further than the mere attainment of money and notoriety, In the course of my inspection of the balloon [met with Mr. Donaldson, one of the two aeronauts. He isa young man to whom this | agair is the most agreeable pastime. Sctence and civilization are of littie moment to this daring gymnast, Ifhe is successful in having his name conspicuous for twenty-lour hours in the newspapers his highest ambition will be abundantly’ gratified. To him it will he all the same whether the current blows east ov west. In fact, he expresses the wish that the cur- rent may carry them ina westerly direction, that he may be seen of all men from here to Cincinnati. Then he has no objection if it be reversed and | carry him to London, where he hopes te be properly appreciated. Mowever this little mark of vanity, there i8 no gainsaying his gay and careless courage. Mr. Donaldson | said to me, im answer to the question | ii he thought the balloon was made of the proper material, and cost as much as was mentioned :— “A silk balloon and all the rest could have been had ior less than $15,000, the floundering bag inside the rope fence) cose only about $4,000, inciuding everything.” “But,” said I, “the advertisement announces that nearly $15,000 were expended on it.” “Well, you know,” he replied, ‘‘that’s all in the- way of business,’? “Do you,” I further inquired, “act in perfect harmony with Professor Wise?’ “Yes,” he answered; “we pull along together very weil. Ho leaves everything to me, and I shail see the ‘old man through all right, He is like a child and wants a silk balloon, but I guess we will make a bigger sensation with the one we have.” * “Would you not,” I wonderingly inquired o/ this singularly filppant and reckless young man, ing cen, of him, Ihave not speken to or seen Williamson above halt a dozen times in my life. Iknow nothing of his character or antece- dents. Ihave known Potter for twelve or fifteen fhe I believe ho 1s not aa bad as represented by prem Reanggtfully, 4c, Jd ¥. QUIN. “prefer a balloon made of silk?” “I am not particular,” was his answer. went up in @ balloon made of paper.” Now. however invaluavie Mr. Donaldson may be “1 once grappling | This adair (pointing to | 7 Sissel tere gereeresenrrennsemmmmnspsioeeesoaa te aie as a caterer to the sensation-loving masses of the’ people, I contend taat an undertaking of this kind professing to have an object beyond the moment- ary gratification of a sight seeing and thoughviess crowd should be more soberly and seriously pon- dered. He was pleased to inform me still further that Professor Wise had a difference with the managers of the enterprize; that he complained of being sola in the agreement and his plans sacrificed to gain a cheap expedient for a sensation, In other words, Professor Wise has been sacrificed as an advertise- ment of a profitable speculation. The public are long acquainted with Professor Wise. They acknowledge his courage, integrity and scientific knowledge, He will not retreat from the project on which be has embarked. He | Will go on unfalteringly to the e! nd though | it is plain to see that he has been en. trapped, that be is asked to encounter perils needlessly muitiplied, he will not draw back, As he has said, he could ot consistently back out of his position now, for no matter what excuse he might give his motives wouid be mis- | construe | I aim, however, of a diferent way of | thinking, aad I believe if, Professor Wise, consult- | Ing his own interest, as the managers of this bale | loon have consulted theirs, withdrew from his | contract he would iorfeit no tittle of the esteem | in which he ts Held, Should such a catastrophe as many anticipate befall this project those who, | through a selfish parsimony and an unholy striving for notoriety, drove Wise on his fatai mission should be held to a strict accountability, ‘ | MUMANITY, HOMICIDE IN NEWARK. - ae Another Hackensack Bridge Affalr—A Man Killed with a Blow of Another * Man’s Fist. A very singular homicide took place in Newark yesterday afternoon, About half past three o’clock Frederick Schonewolf, who keeps @ saloon in South Orange avenue and employs a number of drivers, | called at the police station and de- livered himself! up to the oficer in charge, Lieutenant Kirwan, saying that he ad Cone Wrong. After some pressing Schonewolf related the fact that he bad probably killed a man, He was locked up iua cell, At seven o'clock a H&RALD reporter proceeded to the scene of THE FATAL AFFRAY, 4 saloon kept by Anthony Wehrle, corner of South Orange avenue and Norfolk street. Mr, Wenrle, his son Anthony and @ contractor named Frank Carlin, quite a noted person, by the way, were present, and witnessed the occurrence, Young Wehrle made the jollowimg statemént:—Schonewolf and & | driver in his employ named Jacob Ludle, also a ; German, got into an altercation in the saloon about a team of horses which Jacob had leit at the He did 0, he said, in obedience to in- structions Irom Schonewolt’s son, a mere boy. The | latter and Jacob got into words at the wharf and vile epithets were exchanged, To tie father Jacob said that he was sorry he had not thrown the boy overboard and drowned him, or words to that ei- fect. This enraged the fath He hauled off, but did not strike, A second time he hauled off and SIRUCK JACOB 4 terrific blowon the neck under the left ear. Jacob jell and never spoke more. An hour alter- wards, when @ doctor, named Stickney, called, the man was dead. Schonewolt tried to rub him to life, but the last spark had fled from the terrible effects of this one blow with his fist, Then he gave him- self up 23 above stated. Jacob was an elderly man with a grown up family. Schone wolf 1s thirty-seven years of age and owns considerable property. An Inquest will be held to-day by Coroner Vreeland, REAL ESTATE. whart, Farther Canvassing of the Situation— The Statas of the Money Market and How Real Estate Is Effected Thereby. The suggestions contained in these columns yea- terday regarding landed property jormed frutt- ful theme of comment in real estate circles during the day. The offerings in the auction mart being light, consisting only of a single piece of property, leit the habitues of the salesroom to discuss the general situation categorically and dogmatically, 4818 usual among habvitués generally, who never fail to justify the old saw, in their own opinion, at least, that LOOKERS-ON SEE MOST OF THE GAME, The burden of testimony, however, was in favor of its correctness, as refiecting the condition of the market as it now presents iiself to observation. | It is just one of expectation, buyer and seller in Prospective alike holding off at the start to see which w ay the current of transactions Is likely to set. Holders of property wishing to sell—that 1s, desirous to realize upon past investinents—are, of course, waiting for a strong market to declare it- self betore they rush their ofierings, while even anxious — confine themselves to inquny as yet, in the hope of some yielding from the firmness now maintained later in the season. To help the solution of this vexed question THY CONDITION OF THE MONEY MARKET has been brought in a8 a determinate agency in this resspect. Real estate 1s iess sensitive to the change- ful mouetary situation than other species of pron- erty, and wnile liable to be affecued seriously by any great financial convulsion, and more permanently perhaps, certainly for a longer period, it overiooks MERE SPASMS OF ACTIVITY, the result of specuiative manipulation or the spe- « cial trade necessities that occur variously during the year. The most that would happen in the real estate market from such abnormal activity would be the delay on the part of some capitalists earn- ing large interest on call to seck the more solid security, elther in the way of loan or investment; but there is generally money enough offering on rewl estate that can seek no other investment to prevent anything like stringency in that marke! The iollowing was the only public sale yesterday :— NEW YORK PROPERTY—BY A, J. BLERCKER, SON AND CO, (Supreme Court Sale ) oe and lot, 18.1x10/.2, n. 8. 85th st., 108.8 ft. e. of RODMAN NOT BAILED, The Coming Treasurer—The Trust Come pany. Marvin T. Rodman, the ex-Deputy City Treasurer, remains in the Raymond Street Jail, and all hope of obtaining bondsmen to go security tor his appearance when wanted, in the stunt of $50,000, ap- pears to have been hopelessly abandoned. The Grand Jury will to-day be placed in possession ot the papers in the case, when the wheels of justice will revolve, with what result time alone can tell. The resignation of Treasurer Cortland A. Sprague, which has been in the hands of the Mayor even since Saturday, will be presented at the meet- ing of the Board of Aldermen this evening, It will, of course, be gladly acc¢pted by the City Fathers, and the pame of ex-Aldermas Cunningham, of the Fifteenth ward, will doubtless be sent in by tho Mayor and readily confirmed by the Board. Mr. Cunningham, who is @ merchant, represented his ward for jour years, and was chairman of the Finance Committee of the Board. Mr. A. B. Mar- tin, & member of the Board of Education, and resi- dent of the Eighteenth ward, will be the probable successor of the late unfortunate Deputy Treasu- rer, Rodman. A President Ropes, of the much abuged Trust Com- pany, stated yesterday that the Willimantic bonds, of which they hoid $225,000 worth, can be sold at 60, The Company loaned $150,000 on the $225,000 worth of Willimantic bonds as collateral. The loan of $150,000 is covered to within $15,000; hence the bonds cannot be worthless, 0 ROBBERS OAGED, How Gold Watches Are Obtained in Houston Street. On the night of the 6th instant, Mr. George Hen ing, of No. 71 avenue 0, stepped into the liquor saloon No, 371 East Houston street and called for @ glass of ale. While waiting for the beverage two men—Peter Keller and Joseph Smith—accosted him, and after talking a moment seized hoid of his watch chain and tore the watch from the pocket. A tussle eusued, during which Mr. Hening, assisted by the barkeepeer, recovered the timepiece. The two men instantly quitted the saloon, only to re- turn again in a jew minutes with five roughs, who seized Hening and neld him, whtle Smith for tue second time relieved him of his watch aud chain. After the men had loosened their hold on Hening Keller struck bim on the head with a large wooden mallet, felling him to the floor, where he lay for some time in an tnsensi- | ble condition. Yesterday Keller and Smith were | arrested and arraigned at the Ussex Market Police | Court, where Justice Scott held them to answer at | the Court of General Sessions in detauit of $2,000 bi “tening’s watch and chain are valued at $370, WAS IT ANOTHER JERSEY MURDER? The police authorities of Jersey City are again puzzled over the mysterious circumstances of the death of the laboree David Carroll, tu his house on Friday. He was previously found insensible on Newark avenue, near Coles street, about one o’clock in the morning, and was thence conveyed to his boarding house, it belug thougnt that he was suffering solely {rom drink, although there was a cus in his head. Alter bis death the skull was ex- amined, when tt was found that deceased had sus tained @ fracture thereof, produced pecan by a powerful blow with aciub. The Coroner will take the case in hand aud commence an investigation o-morrow.