May 2005 - A Fight With Burglars
Following is a story about Daniel Kidney and some of his nefarious deeds. I do not believe that he is a descendent of John/Jan Kidney. My closest guess is that Daniel is the son of Michael and Ellen Kidney. Michael was an Irish born seaman living in Brooklyn, Kings, NY in 1870. If that is correct, then the Daniel in this story would be 18 years of age.
THIEVES ROB A TAILOR'S SHOP IN MAIDENLANE - A FREE FIGHT WITH PISTOLS IN A FIRST WARD DEN.
About 8 o'clock on Thursday night the tailoring establishment of Ekborn Brothers, No. 3 Maidenlane, was entered by thieves, who gained access to the premises by breaking the store window. The burglars carried off a large amount of property, including rolls of cloth and made-up suits, valued at from $500 to $600. The thieves, in their hurried departure from the store, and probably fearing detection if they delayed, left behind them a large lot of clothing which they had packed up ready for removal. The robbery having been reported to the Police of the First Precinct Station-house, Acting Capt. Patrick Oates detailed his brother, Detective Oates, with Detective Ragan, to investigate the matter. The detectives obtained a description of two young men who were seen loitering around the premises of Ekborn Brothers on Thursday evening, end felt satisfied that the burglars were two notorious thieves named John Slavin, alias “Stumpy," whose residence is at No. 106 Greenwich-street, and Daniel Kidney, who lives at No. 18 Thames-street. On Friday afternoon Detective Oates went to Slavin's house and took the latter into custody. Slavin's apartments were searched but none of the stolen property was found. Kidney heard of Slavin's arrest, and managed to keen himself so well concealed during the day that all efforts to obtain a clue to his whereabouts proved futile. The detectives, however, ascertained that a portion of the stolen cloth was hidden in the collar of No. 17 Thames-street, next door to the residence of Kidney, and, going there, they found a roll of cloth and a few pairs of pantaloons which were subsequently identified by Mr. Ekborn as his property. The officers learned that Kidney, with several young man of an equally unsavory reputation, was drinking in a low groggery kept by a man named James Rielly at the corner of Carlisle and Greenwich streets, and Acting Capt. Oates and Detectives Oates and Hagan, knowing the desperate character of those who resorted to the place, secured the assistance of Detective Mulvey, Roundsman Cahill, and Officer Feeney of the Twenty-seventh Precinct, with whom they made a descent on the den. Acting Capt. Oates moved toward Kidney, and placing his hind on his shoulder, said, "You are my man.” At this remark the crowd, numbering about 20, made a deliberate attack upon the officers, and a desperate fight ensued. Pistols which were freely used, were drawn on both sides, the firing attracting a considerable crowd. The shots were fired at random, and, fortunately, none took effect. In the heat of the struggle a cigar-maker named William Doyle, of No. 122 Washington-street, draw a large dirk-knife and made a pass at Roundsman Cahill. Doyle's murderous intention was thwarted by Detective Hagan who, striking him a vigorous blow in the face with the butt-end of his revolver, knocked him down. In the melee Kidney jumped out of the window, several pistol-shots following in his wake He was afterward, however, arrested In Thames-street.
Kidney and Slavin, who are both about 20 years of age, were taken before Justice Kilbreth yesterday morning, in the Tombs Police Court. Acting Capt. Oates asked to have the prisoners remanded, which was done. Miss Amelia Henry, who resides at No. 225 Washington-street preferred an additional complaint of assault against Kidney. During the month of August she claims to have seen Kidney rob a sailor. She then reported the fact to the Police, and Kidney hearing of it, assaulted her on the street. On Miss Henry's charge Justice Kilbreth held Kidney for trial. Doyle who attempted to stab Roundsman Cahill, was also arraigned, and was held in $1,000 bail to answer. While Slavin and Kidney were being taken back to the station-house after leaving court they were followed by a large and curious one crowd. Notwithstanding that the prisoners were handcuffed, they were guarded by six officers.