More on the Unsolved Murder of Pelham Manor Policeman John McGuire in 1918

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In the early morning darkness on Tuesday, May 7, 1918, members of the Pelham Manor Police Department were still abuzz over an attempted burglary and brutal assault earlier in the night at the home of wealthy cigar manufacturer Herman Rokohl who lived at 255 Corona Avenue.  At 4:00 a.m. that morning, there was a shift change.  

Pelham Manor Patrolman John McGuire, one of the oldest members of the department and a large and powerful man, had just finished the shift.  He waited at Four Corners for the Pelham trolley.  He could hear it clattering along Pelhamdale Avenue headed toward Four Corners.  In the darkness ahead, Patrolman McGuire saw the trolley stop near Witherbee Avenue.  A shadowy figure climbed aboard.  

Given the attempted burglary earlier that night, McGuire decided to identify the person who had just climbed aboard the trolley.  As the trolley approached, the unarmed officer stopped it and climbed aboard.

"Which passenger got on last?" asked McGuire of the trolley motorman.  The motorman pointed to a passenger in a corner at the rear of the trolley.  

Patrolman McGuire approached the passenger and said:  "We want to ask you some questions. You'll have to get off here with me." Patrolman McGuire reportedly linked his arm with that of the passenger and the pair moved to the front of the car.

Patrolman McGuire reached the steps of the car first and started down them. As he did, the suspect pulled a pistol, shoved it into McGuire's back and emptied the revolver.  Patrolman McGuire died instantly. In the confusion, the despicable and cowardly murderer fled.  There were military men from Fort Slocum on the trolley who gave chase, but the murderer escaped.  Patrolman McGuire left behind a wife and two sons, one of whom was serving in the U.S. Navy at the time.

Within a few hours, New Rochelle police arrested John Brennan of Oak Street, New Rochelle as the suspected burglar who assaulted Herman Rokohl earlier in the day.  Brennan, it was thought, could not have been the murderer of Patrolman McGuire, however.  He was a white man.  The suspect who shot and killed Patrolman McGuire purportedly was a black man, although later evidence suggested otherwise.  Though Brennan was held without bail and hauled before a Westchester County Grand Jury for the burglary, the murder suspect apparently was still at large.  

One of the military men who witnessed the murder was Fred Mostert, a member of the Medical Corps stationed at Fort Slocum.  About two weeks after the murder, on Friday, May 17, 1918, Mostert was in New York City and saw a black man on the street whom he believed was the murderer.  He alerted New York City police who arrested the man, John Surgeon Barton, who was charged with murder.    

Barton was a chauffeur for a local judge, Hon. Mark M. Schlesinger.  The Judge hired a number of detectives and "set his office force in Wall Street to work" in an effort to investigate the matter and exonerate his chauffeur.  Even before the matter was presented to a grand jury, Judge Schlesinger was able to establish Barton's innocence.  The charges were dropped and Barton was released from jail.  One of the reasons Barton was released was that evidence had emerged that the murderer may not have been a black man as first believed but instead was "a man who had used a tanning process to color his face and hands for the purpose of operating in dark houses."

Patrolman McGuire was the first of Pelham Manor's Finest to die in the line of duty.  The dastardly murder was never solved.  Nearly one hundred years later, the identity of the murderer remains an enduring Pelham history mystery.

Pelham Manor Police Department in 1910.  Patrolman John McGuire

is Fourth From the Left, Standing.  Caption Reads: "R.H. Marks, Chief

of Police (sitting) Left to Right -- John J. Flanagan, George Booth,

Joseph Colgan, John McGuire, A.D. Savage, Phil. Gargan, James Butler."

Source:  Pelham Manor Police Dept., The Pelham Sun [Pelham, NY],

May 21, 1910, Vol. I, No. 7, cols. 4-6.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

*          *          *          *          *

I have written before about the murder of Patrolman John McGuire.  See Wed., Aug. 09, 2006:  The Saddest Day in the History of Pelham Manor's "Toonerville Trolley."  For the text of newspaper reports related to Patrolman McGuire's murder, see below.  Each is followed by a citation and link to its source.  

"BURGLARY SUSPECT KILLS OLD POLICEMAN
-----

John McGuire, one of the oldest members of the Pelham Manor Police Force, was shot and killed yesterday morning while trying to arrest a negro, whom he believed to be implicated in the recent burglaries at Pelham Manor and Pelham Heights.  Herman Rokohl, a wealthy cigar manufacturer, was badly beaten with the butt of a revolver by a burglar who had entered his home.

Several hours after Mr. Rokohl had reported the attack on him Lieutenant McGowan of the New Rochelle police force arrested a young white man, who gave his name as John Brennen of New Rochelle, and who was later identified by Mr. Rokohl as the burglar who had attacked him.  Brenna, the police think, was a member of the gang which invaded the Pelhams, which include at least four men, and divided their operations.

Mr. Rokohl, who is 74 years old, though badly battered by the other burglar, was able to tell a complete story of the visit of the intruder to his home.  His sister, Mrs. Fredericks Wedemeier, was asleep on the second floor, when she was suddenly awakened by a flashlight.  She screamed and the burglar ran out into the hall, where he ran into Mr. Rokohl put up a plucky fight, and wrestled about the hallway for some time, but the burglar drew his revolver and pounded his victim over the head.  Though badly hurt Mr. Rokohl kept up the battle until he was knocked down. Then the burglar ran downstairs and out the kitchen door."

Source:  BURGLARY SUSPECT KILLS OLD POLICEMAN, N.Y. Times, May 8 1918, p. 22, col. 2 (Note:  Paid subscription required to access via this link).  

"NEGRO BURGLAR KILLS POLICEMAN
-----
Empties Revolver Into Unarmed Captor and Escapes. . . .

From The Inquirer Bureau.

NEW YORK, May 7.  -- John McGuire, a policeman attached to the Pelham Manor Police Department was shot and killed early today by an escaping negro burglar at the corner of Pelhamdale avenue, near the high school.

The negro had attempted to rob the home of Herman Roaohl [sic] at 255 Corona avenue, Pelham Heights.  Roaohl was awakened by a noise and encountered the negro in the act of rifling a bureau.  In the ensuing struggle the burglar hit him on the head with a blackjack and rushed from the house.

Policeman McGuire was attracted by the screams and chased the negro, who jumped on a passing trolley car.  McGuire, though unarmed leaped after him and dragged him to the street.

The negro suddenly pulled a revolver and fired five shots, one of which lodged in the policeman's abdomen.  He was rushed to the New Rochelle Hospital, where he died half an hour later.  The negro escaped."

Source:  NEGRO BURGLAR KILLS POLICEMAN -- Empties Revolver Into Unarmed Captor and Escapes, The Philadelphia Inquirer, May 8, 1918, p. 9, col. 1 (Note:  Paid subscription required to access via this link).  

"NEGRO KILLS POLICEMAN.
-----
Pelham Manor Burglar Suspect Escapes Pursuers.

No trace has been found of the negro who shot and killed Policeman John McGuire of the Pelham Manor police force early yesterday at Pelhamdale and Willard avenues [sic].  

McGuire picked up the negro as a suspicious character, who might have knowledge of recent burglaries in the Pelham Manor district.  The policeman, unarmed, left a trolley car to take the negro to the police station.  The negro fired five shots at the policeman and made his escape into the woods nearby, eluding a number of soldiers, who pursued him.  

A few hours before, Herman Rokohl, a wealthy cigar manufacturer, living in Pelham Manor, was viciously attacked by a burglar, who had broken into his home.

McGuire is survived by his wife and two sons.  One of the sons is in the United States Navy."  

Source:  NEGRO KILLS POLICEMAN -- Pelham Manor Burglar Suspect Escapes Pursuers, New York Herald, May 8, 1918, p. 14, col. 6 (Note:  Paid subscription required to access via this link).  See also NEGRO KILLS POLICEMAN -- Pelham Manor Burglar Suspect Escapes Pursuers, The Sun [NY, NY], May 8, 1918, p. 14, col. 6 (same text).  

"HAPPENINGS IN NORTH PELHAM . . . 

Held For Grand Jury.

John Brennan, of Oak street, New Rochelle, who was arrested in New Rochelle early on Tuesday morning, May 7, following an attempted robbery at 255 Corona avenue, Pelham Heights, in which Herman Rokohl, age 74 years, the occupant of the house was assaulted, was arraigned for examination before Justice of the Peace George Lambert Monday evening at the town hall on this village.  The state presented its side of the cast through Assistant District Attorney Ferris.  Brennan was represented by Attorney Moran.  Coroner Stella was present, to gain information and he later stated that he was convinced that Brennan in no way was involved in the murder of John McGuire, the Pelham Manor policeman who was shot several hours after the burglary.  The defense waived examination and Justice Lambert held him without bail for the action of the Westchester county grand jury."

Source:  HAPPENINGS IN NORTH PELHAM . . . Held for Grand Jury, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], May 17, 1918, p. 9, col. 1.  

"North Pelham . . . 

Holding Suspect.

Spurgeon [sic] P. Barton, the colored chauffeur suspect who was arrested in New York last Friday evening by detectives from the fourth branch office after he had been identified in the street by Fred Mostert, of the medical corps stationed at Fort Slocum as the man who shot Patrolman John McGuire of this village, a member of the Pelham Manor police department, is being held at the county jail to await the action of Coroner Stella who will hold an inquest soon.  District Attorney Davis and the coroner have been in conference on this case but no announcement of their plans has been made public."

Source:  North Pelham . . . Holding Suspect, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], May 22, 1918, p. 7, col. 4.  

"North Pelham
-----
NEGRO IS EXONERATE [sic]
-----
Charged With Murder, His Innocence Is Established.
-----

John Surgeon Barton, the negro charged with murder on May 7, of Patrolman John McGuire, of the Pelham Manor police department, has been released from the county jail, where he was being detained to await action of the grand jury.

Barton was arrested in New York city, after he is said to have been identified as the murderer by a soldier from Fort Slocum, who was a passenger on a trolley car going to New Rochelle on the morning of the shooting.  Barton had been employed as a chauffeur by Judge Mark M. Schlesinger, who to Barton's defense, employed a number of detectives and set his office force in Wall street at work on the matter.  He succeeded in being able to establish the innocence of Barton, and consequently the negro was free within fewer than 60 days, and even before his case reached the grand jury.  When arrested, Barton was without money and almost friendless and too poor to employ counsel to aid him in the matter of an immediate investigation of the police testimony.  It was reported prior to Barton's arrest that the real murderer was not a negro, but a man who had used a tanning process to color his face and hands for the purpose of operating in dark houses."

Source:  North Pelham -- NEGRO IS EXONERATE -- Charged With Murder, His Innocence Is Established, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Jul. 9, 1918, p. 3, col. 3.  

"Westchester Today!
-----
Pelham Manor Police:  Slaying on Trolley

Pelham Manor Police cover an area of 1.3 square miles and protect a population of 6,114.

The job is a bit tougher than one might gather from those small statistics because of the community's proximity to the more populated New York City and New Rochelle and because three main highways -- the Hutchinson River Parkway, Boston Post Road and the New England Thruway-- not only make Pelham Manor a convenient place to live but also make it a target for marauders and other trouble makers.

Police Chief Joseph Lyon points to two recent bank crimes and the quick apprehension of suspects to illustrate the work of his department.  A man was arrested for the holdup of the Boston Post Road branch of the People's Savings Bank of New Rochelle in Pelham Manor last fall.  There was also a seizure of a 'disturbed' man who threatened personnel of the Manor branch of the First National Bank of Mount Vernon with what later proved to be a water pistol.  

In addition to the chief, Pelham Manor has a lieutenant, five sergeants, 17 patrolmen and six crossing guards.  The department has four radio-equipped police cars with oxygen units, first aid kits, flares, and blankets.  A 15-state teletype alarm system keeps the men abreast of the latest happenings of interest to police.  Bank alarms link directly to headquarters.

There is a pistol range off Shore Road where the police teams practice.  

The department was not always so well-manned and equipped.  In the early days, one man was the force and he had to be content with riding a 'fast' bicycle or hopping a ride on Pelham Manor's 'Toonerville Trolley' to overtake a thief or to apprehend one making his getaway on the trolley.

Pelham Manor's first policemen were James O'Brien and Joseph Colgan, appointed in 1903.  The salary was $30 a month, unlike the salary of the town constables who served on a fee basis.  In 1904 the village fathers appointed Town Constable Raphael H. Marks as chief of police.  Colgan continued to serve under him as sergeant.

Chief Marks had the distinction of being the first 'moonlighter,' being appointed in 1903 as chief of Pelham Village's force and serving both departments simultaneously.  The Pelham Manor department began to grow.  He continued as head of Pelham Manor force until 1919, having resigned in 1910 as chief of Pelham Village.

Philip Gargan, the next chief rose from the ranks.  He fought with the Fighting 69th during World War I and returned from the Army and became chief.

Sgt. Michael Grady succeed Gargan and he was succeeded in turn by James McCaffrey, who was appointed Nov. 8, 1937 and who retired Aug. 31, 1959.  Provisional Chief Charles Baisley next directed the affairs of the department until his retirement Dec. 31, 1961.  Chief Lyon then succeeded him.

The village's worst crime, one which is still unsolved, is recalled by Retired Chief McCaffrey.  About 4 a.m. one day in 1917 [sic; should be 1918], several men were going off duty.  As they were waiting for the trolley, they saw it stop at Witherbee Avenue and pick up a passenger.  Recalling that there had been an earlier report from a resident on Witherbee Avenue [sic] reporting a burglar in the house, police got on the trolley and Patrolman John McGuire stopped it, asking the motorman:  'Which passenger got on last?'  The motorman pointed toward a passenger in the rear corner.

'We want to ask you some questions,' Patrolman McGuire said to the passenger.  'You'll have to get off here with me.'  He linked his arm in the passenger's and they made their way to the front door.  Patrolman McGuire was a big, powerful man and it may have led to overconfidence on his part.  As McGuire preceded the suspect down the trolley steps, the suspect pulled out a gun and shot McGuire in the back, killing him instantly.  The suspect fled."

Source:   Westchester Today!  -- Pelham Manor Police:  Slaying on Trolley, Herald Statesman [Yonkers, NY], Mar. 13, 1963, p. 52, cols. 1-4.  

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Gun Battle on Witherbee Avenue in 1904 Results in Wounded Pelham Manor Police Officer

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Policing in the Town of Pelham has been a dangerous business for Pelham's Finest since at least the late 19th century.  Pelham Manor police officer John McGuire was shot and killed while trying to apprehend a burglary suspect on the Pelham Manor trolley in 1917.  The slaying has never been solved.  See Wed., Aug. 09, 2006:  The Saddest Day in the History of Pelham Manor's "Toonerville Trolley". 

When murdered, Officer John McGuire was investigating a burglary that had occurred on Witherbee Avenue in the Village of Pelham Manor.  Only eight years earlier, another Pelham Manor police officer, Alfonse D. Savage, was wounded in a gun battle on Witherbee Avenue after surprising armed burglars in the act of burglarizing the summer home of a New York City resident at the corner of Witherbee and Highbrook Avenues.  

 

Pelham Manor Police Department in 1910 Only Five Months
After Officer A.D. Savage, Standing Third from Right,
Was Shot.  Caption Reads:"R.H. Marks, Chief of Police (sitting)

Left to Right -- John J. Flanagan, George Booth, Joseph Colgan,

John McGuire, A.D. Savage, Phil. Gargan, James Butler."

Source:  Pelham Manor Police Dept., The Pelham Sun [Pelham, NY], 

May 21, 1910, Vol. I, No. 7, cols. 4-6.

Officer Savage went beyond the call of duty.  He was shot by one of the burglars during a fierce gun battle.  At first it was thought he was shot in the shoulder, shattering the bones.  It turned out, however, that he was shot beneath his left arm pit and the bullet punctured a lung and lodged near a rib.  Despite his wound, Officer Savage grabbed and clung to one of the burglars, refusing to let go until another officer arrived.  Only then did the exhausted and wounded officer yell to his fellow officer "don't let him go.  He shot me!" then fainted.  Village officers swarmed the area and apprehended a second perpetrator.  Though the pair gave false names, it turned out that they were a rather nasty couple of thugs.  Within a few days, police apprehended a third member of the burglary ring. 

As might be expected, newspapers throughout the metropolitan region reported on the bravery of the Village of Pelham Manor police officers.  Thankfully, Officer Savage survived his gunshot wound and even was photographed among the members of the Department, standing proudly, only a few months later (see below).  Amazingly, only seven months after he was shot, Officer Savage apprehended another burglar as he tried to jimmy open the kitchen window of another Pelham Manor home in the same area as the earlier incident (see below).  Despite such heroism, however, Officer Savage was never the same.  His health slowly deteriorated from the wound.  In 1920, on the advice of his physician, Alfonse Savage moved from Pelham to New Mexico "for his health."  A local newspaper reported at the time that "His health has never been the same and the change has been recommended."  See In the Pelhams -- Pelham Manor,  The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], No. 9290, May 19, 1920, p. 10, col. 1. 

Today's Historic Pelham Blog salutes Pelham Manor's Finest and transcribes various articles about the gun battle and the bravery of three Village Police Officers, Alfonse D. Savage, James Butler, and John J. Flanagan. 

"CROOKS AND COPS IN A DUEL.
-----

Policeman Shot by Burglar Who Was Robbing Allan Robinson's Home.

MOUNT VERNON, Dec. 21. -- There was an exciting duel between two burglars and two policemen in front of the country house of Allan Robinson, a New York lawyer, on Witherbee avenue, Pelham Manor, to-night, in which Policeman A.B. [sic] Savage of Pelham Manor was shot through the right shoulder.  He is lying dangerously wounded in the New Rochelle Hospital.  

The burglars, who had packed three suit cases with silverware and other valuables, are locked up in the Pelham Manor police station.  Chief of Police Marks believes that they are the 'early Joe' burglars who have been operating in the early evening along the north shore of the Sound for some time.  The arrest of the men was brought about by the pluck of Policeman Savage, who after being shot clung to one of the prisoners until assistance arrived.

Policeman Savage was patrolling his beat when he discovered one of the front windows in the Robinson house -- which had been closed for the winter -- open, and he called Policeman Flannagan, who was near by, and the two officers started to crawl through the window, when they were fired on from inside.  The shots went wild and the burglars then leaped out of a rear window and started to run down the street, followed by the officers, who fired on them.  There was a fusillade of shots.

Although Savage received a bullet in his shoulder he managed to seize one of the intruders and clung to him.  The shots attracted Policeman Butler, who came up the street on a run, and Savage shouted 'Hold this fellow; don't let him go!  He shot me!'  Then he fell in a faint.  Butler was forced to knock the man down with his nightstick in order to get the handcuffs on him.

Policeman Flannagan held up the other burglar at the point of his revolver and both were taken to police headquarters.  They gave their names as Albert Wilson of 71 East 119th street, Manhattan, and William De Snow of Philadelphia.

Mr. Robinson is living at his town house and his Pelham Manor summer home has been closed for several weeks.  When the police visited the house after the shooting they found the suit cases filled with booty in the dining room and ready to be carried away.

After Policeman Savage was taken to the New Rochelle Hospital the bullet was probed for and then it was found that the shoulder was so badly shattered that it was necessary to perform an operation."

Source:  CROOKS AND COPS IN A DUEL, The Sun [NY, NY], Dec. 22, 1909, p. 6, cols. 6-7.  

"BURGLARS SHOOT IN PELHAM MANOR; WOUND POLICEMAN
-----
He is Officer Savage Who resides on Fourth Avenue This City.
-----
MARAUDERS CAUGHT
-----
Victim in New Rochelle Hospital and Recovery is Expected.
-----
DUEL IN THE DARK.
-----

In pistol duel last evening at 6:30 o'clock, at the residence of Allen Robinson, president of the Allied Real Estate Interests, at the corner of Witherbee and Highbrook avenues, Pelham Manor, between Police Officers A. D. Savage and [John J.] Flanagan and two burglars who were surprised after they had ransacked the place.  Officer Savage was shot in the right shoulder and is now in the New Rochelle hospital, where he will recover.  Savage resides in Mount Vernon, on South Fourth avenue.

Officer Savage showed great courage, when in spite of his wound, he caught one of the burglars after the latter had attempted to escape with his pal, who was also captured by Officer Flanagan.

Held the Burglars.

Savage held his man until Officer Butler arrived.  Butler felled the burglar with a blow of his nightstick after Savage had told him that he had been shot.  After being attended by Dr. Washburn the wounded officer was taken to the New Rochelle hospital, where he made a statement to Coroner Boedecker.  It was stated at the hospital this morning that Officer Savage was doing well and that there was every hope for his recovery.  The bullet in the wounded officer's shoulder has not been probed for as yet.

Booty is Found.

At the Robinson house were found two dress suit cases packed with jewelry and articles valued at about $1,000.  In one dress suit case was a pearl necklace valued at $400.  Near the open window was found a satchel filled with burglar's tools, which the burglars left behind them.  

Found Window Open.

It was at 6:20 o'clock that Officer Flanagan noticed one of the windows of the Robinson house on the first floor open.  He went to the nearest telephone box and reported.  He made another investigation and ascertained that the window had been pried open with a jimmy.

Fired on the Police.

Chief [R. H.] Marks sent Officer Savage, who was doing desk duty, to the Robinson house, where Flanagan was waiting, as there was someone inside.  He warned him to be careful.  

The burglars must have heard the officers talking outside for no sooner had Savage and Flanagan started to climb through the window than the burglars hurried down the stairs and in the darkness, opened fire upon them.

While partly leaning through the window the two officers returned the fire.

The burglars had the advantage over the officers.  Officer Savage was shot in the shoulder, but continued to fire into the darkness, and in an ante-mortem statement told Coroner Boedecker that he did not know how many times he shot at the men.

Taken to Hospital.

The neighborhood was aroused by the shooting.  Chief Marks hurried to the scene and then had the wounded officer taken in a Larchmont car as far as the Red Church corner.  The car was on its way to Mount Vernon at the time and was backed to the church.  The officer was then assisted to the office of Dr. Washburn and later taken to the New Rochelle hospital in an automobile.

Makes Quick Run.

It was 7:50 o'clock when Coroner Boedecker, of Mount Vernon, was notified of the shooting by telephone, and that Savage was at that time in the New Rochelle hospital.  The coroner broke all records for quick work in his department, for twenty minutes after he received word of the shooting, he was at the bedside of the wounded officer.  The run was made in an automobile.

Burglars in Custody.

The two burglars were brought to police headquarters and gave their names as John De Snow, of Philadelphia, and William Wilson, of No. 17 East 19th street, New York.  In the pockets of Wilson, who was the one 
-----
(Continued on Page Three.)

BURGLARS SHOOT
-----
(Continued From Page One.)

Savage caught and whom he declared shot him, were found 28 cartridges.  Wilson when he was brought to the station was in a bad condition and was bleeding from the head.  He did not appear to be more than seventeen or eighteen years of age.

Story of a Third Man.

About 11:30 o'clock Roundman Deveaux of New Rochelle police force, came to headquarters in company with a boy named Clifford Rivers of No. 18 Walnut street, New Rochelle.  The boy says that last night about 8 o'clock, while he was talking with another boy on the station platform in New Rochelle, a young man wearing a dark soft hat came, olive green suit, came running into the platform and said to him:  'We had a house pretty well cleaned out in Pelham Manor when the police caught us and I beat it.  The boy declares that the man took the 8:20 train on the Harlem river division for New York.  Chief Marks takes no stock in the boy's story.  The burglars declare there was a third man who did the shooting and that they knew nothing about it at all.  Chief Marks said that there were only two burglars in the house.  When the men were searched no weapon was found on them and none could be found in the locality."

Source:  BURGLARS SHOOT IN PELHAM MANOR; WOUND POLICEMAN, The Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Dec. 22, 1909, p. 1, col. 3 & p. 3, col. 1.  

"A THIRD MAN IN ROBBERY.
----

Pelham Manor, Dec. 23. -- That William De Snow and Albert Wilson, the two burglars who were captured at the Robinson house Tuesday evening by Officers Savage and Flanagan after a duel as a result of which Officer Savage was wounded, are criminals and have records is established.  The two men gave fictitious names and it is learned they are brothers.  The younger who gave the name of Wilson told Chief Marks that his older brother, known as De Snow, was the one who shot Savage.  A third man, who is believed to know something about the burglary was arrested at 1985 Lexington avenue last night by Detectives Clark and Mendelssohn.  He gave the name of Frank Costello, 98 East 114th street."

Source:  A THIRD MAN IN ROBBERY, New Rochelle Pioneer, Dec. 25, 1909, p. 5, col. 3.  

"PELHAM BURGLARS CONFESS
-----
Three Men Implicated in Crime Are Held for the Grand Jury.

Pelham Manor, Dec. 24 -- With the arrest of Joseph White, alias John Costello, alias John Codello, at his room at 1,895 Lexington avenue, New York, at midnight on Wednesday, by Chief Marks, Officer Butler, of Pelham Manor and Detectives Clark and Mendelssohn, of New York, Chief Marks has now in custody all of the burglars who broke into the residence of Allen Robinson Tuesday night.  All three of the men in confessions made to the chief, admit that they entered the house but each denies that he had anything to do with the shooting of Officer Savage, who is now in the New Rochelle hospital.

Both Joseph White and Albert Wilson, whose right name is Albert Barnett, alias Bender, declare that De Snow shot Savage, while De Snow says that he did not do the shooting, and declares that White shot the officer from the roof of the house.  

The capture of White in New York was effected in a sensational manner.  Chief Marks located the man by means of an address on a tag which was attached to a ring with two keys taken from one of the prisoners Tuesday night.  He went to 1,895 Lexington avenue on Wednesday, and ascertained that De Snow was living on the top floor with another man but that he had not been seen for several days.  

Late Wednesday night, Chief Marks and Officer Butler went to New York and after meeting Detectives Clark and Mendelssohn, went to Lexington avenue.  chief Marks had one of the keys with him and with it opened the front door.  He stationed Officer Butler in the back yard.  

The chief and the two New York detectives proceeded to De Snow's room.  Chief Marks rapped on the door and after he had answered to the name of 'Jack' when a voice inside of the room asked who was there, the door was opened.  The three officers entered the room and before De Snow's friend had an opportunity to recover from his surprise he was made a prisoner.

The room was searched by the detectives while Chief Marks held the prisoner.  On the bureau was found a clipping from a New York paper with the account of the burglary in Pelham Manor at the Robinson house.

White was taken to police headquarters in New York, where his picture was found in Rogues' Gallery.  Its number is 9,936.  He was identified by the detectives.  Early Thursday morning he was brought to Pelham Manor and locked up.  Last night the three burglars were arraigned before Judge Kilvert on a charge of burglary and assault on an officer with intent to kill.  Joseph White pleaded guilty to the charge of burglary and was held to await the action of the grand Jury.  De Snow, whose right name is William Barnett, and his brother, Albert Barnett, pleaded guilty to the charge of burglary, but would not plead to the assault charge.  Each man waived examination.  The were also held to await the action of the grand jury, and were taken to White Plains this morning.
-----Mount Vernon Argus."

Source:  PELHAM BURGLARS CONFESS, New Rochelle Pioneer, Jan. 1, 1910, p. 3, col. 4.  

"PERSONAL ITEMS.
----- 

*     *     *    

--Officer A. D. Savage, of Pelham Manor, a resident of South Fourth avenue, this city, who was shot by burglars surprised by him and Officer Flanagan while they were in the act of robbing the residence of Allen Robinson in Pelham Manor, December 21, was operated on Monday in the New York Graduate Hospital in New York by Dr. Samuel Lloyd.  It was supposed at the time of the fight with the burglars that Savage was shot in the arm but the bullet was found near a rib under the left arm pit."  

Source:  PERSONAL ITEMS, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Jan. 20, 1910, p. 2, col. 2. 

"ROETTNER GETS A YEAR.
-----

Conrad Roettner, of New Rochelle, who was implicated in robberies with the burglars De Snow and Wilson, one of whom shot Officer Savage, of the Mount Vernon [sic] police force, after a robbery at Pelham Manor, was sentenced this week to a year in Kings County penitentiary, having pleaded guilty to petit larceny."  

Source:  ROETTNER GETS A YEAR, New Rochelle Pioneer, Feb. 19, 1910, p. 5, col. 7.

"CHAUFFEUR AND BURGLAR
-----
Pelham Manor Police Nab Arthur Tilford Trying to Enter House.

While attempting to force an entrance into the rear window of the residence of Miss Edith Haywood, on Monterey avenue, Pelham Manor, about 8 o'clock Friday night.  Officer Savage caught a burglar, who, when he was brought to police headquarters in Pelham Manor, gave his name as Arthur Tilford, of New Rochelle.  He is twenty-one years of age, and is a chauffeur during the day time.  He has been convicted of burglary and twice of larceny.  He is also responsible for the burglary committed in the Haywood barn two weeks ago.  At first he denied it, but when Raymond Ricardo, chauffeur for the Haywoods, identified a blue coat worn by Tilford, as his own property, the latter broke down and confessed and informed the police where he had disposed of the property.

Officer Savage was shot last December, by a burglar, not far from the spot where he ran across Tilford last night.  He was walking along Monterey avenue, when he heard a noise which sounded to him like that of some person working at a window.  He walked across the grass and discovered Tilford trying to pry open the window opening into the kitchen by means of a chisel.  Tilford did not know the officer was near him until the latter placed his hand on his shoulder and pulled him to the ground.

Officer Savage brought his prisoner to headquarters and when Chief Marks saw him he recognized a blue serge coat which answered the one Ricardo, the chauffeur for the Haywoods, in Pelham Manor, had reported to him as stolen.

'Where did you get that coat?' the chief asked.

'Oh, that is my coat.  I have had it for two years,' was the answer.

Chief Marks took Tilford to New York to-day, and will have his picture taken there.  He was arraigned before Judge Kilvert on a charge of burglary and was remanded until Tuesday."

Source:  CHAUFFEUR AND BURGLAR, New Rochelle Pioneer, Jul. 30, 1910, p. 3, col. 5.  

For other similar reports about the shooting of Officer Savage, see, e.g., OFFICER SHOT BY A BURGLAR, The Yonkers Statesman, Dec. 22, 1909, Vol. XXVII, No. 8005, p. 1, col. 6; PELHAM BURGLARS MAKE CONFESSION, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Dec. 24, 1909, p. 6, col. 4; SHOT BY BURGLAR, NY Tribune, Dec. 22, 1909, p. 1, col. 4. 

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The Saddest Day in the History of Pelham Manor's "Toonerville Trolley"

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Nearly everyone familiar with Pelham history and those familiar with the once-popular "Toonerville Folks" comic strip know that the little trolley car that inspired comic strip artist Fontaine T. Fox to create the "Toonerville Trolley" ran through Pelham Manor during the early 20th century. Occasionally I have published Blog postings about the famous "Toonerville Trolley" such as the examples listed below:

Tuesday, October 11, 2005: The Toonerville Trolley Pays its Bills -- Late!

Tuesday, September 20, 2005: Pelham's "Toonerville Trolley" Goes To War

Friday, June 17, 2005: "Skipper Louie" of Pelham Manor's Toonerville Trolley

Tuesday, April 19, 2005: Pelham Manor Residents Fight Construction of the Toonerville Trolley Line

The Toonerville Trolley brought joy to many folks for nearly half a century. Today's Historic Pelham Blog posting is not about that joy, however. Rather, it is about the saddest day in the history of the rickety little trolley that inspired its comic counterpart.

During early morning hours on May 7, 1918 (some later stories erroneously say 1917), the Village of Pelham Manor Police Department received a call about a burglary in a home on Witherbee Avenue in the Village. At 4:00 a.m., several officers were going off duty and waited for the Pelham Manor trolley.

As they waited, they saw the trolley stop at the intersection of Pelhamdale Avenue and Witherbee Avenue to pick up a passenger. The police stopped the trolley and Pelham Manor Patrolman John McGuire reportedly asked the motorman "Which passenger got on last?" The motorman pointed to a passenger seated at the rear of the car.

Patrolman McGuire walked back to the rear of the car and addressed the passenger: "We want to ask you some questions. You'll have to get off here with me." Patrolman McGuire reportedly linked his arm with that of the passenger and the pair moved to the front of the car.

Patrolman McGuire reached the steps of the car first and walked down them. As he did, the suspect pulled a pistol, shoving it into McGuire's back and firing a shot.

Patrolman McGuire died instantly. In the confusion, the despicable and cowardly murderer fled.

The case has never been solved.

Source:  Pelham Manor Police: Slaying on Trolley, The Standard-Star [New Rochelle, NY], Mar. 13, 1963, p. 52, col. 1.

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