Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1854-04-15
Gbe 4ailgg Spy.
SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 1854:


! e..,.-r ,,,rH INTENT TO KILL.-In our
police report of to-day, will be found a n0'ce
Of the examination of Michael Ryan for muir
d.ro,s ossaul, on Solomon Shumway, Deputy
sbarifF Of webster. The circumstances OF the
case as detailed by Mr., Shumway, were as
follows:
ON the 18th of February last, about 8 o'clock
p. NJ. warrant was placed in Mr. Shum-
WAYS hands, for the arrest of one Martin
McG,nth and the prisoner Ryan. He pro-
ceeded to McGrath's house, and then to the
house of Ryan's mother, where he did not
find either of the parties. He then went into
the lot behind Mrs. Ryan's house, with lam
tern. and had assembled bank wall, when he
saw two men who came towards him. They
simultaneously stopped, and he saw their arms
move, as in the act Of throwing. One missile
whistled past him, and another struck him on
the side. Shumway then moved towards the
man on his right, upon which the other closed
in behind his comrade, and threw three times
without effect; at the fourth throw, Shumway
was struck on the left side of his face, and fell
on his right knee and hand. He recovered
himself, however, sprang upon the man near
est him, and followed out murder; upon
which, the man who threw at him fed. The
person arrested was Martin McGrath.
Mr.. Shumway's face was horribly gashed
by the blow he received. There was a wound
over his left eye, one below, and deep cut
down his cheek. He was confined to bed for
ten days, from the effects of the blow, and was
not able to do any business whatever, for three
weeks. The wound over his eye still pains
him, and continues to supurate.
A week ago last Wednesday, Mr.. shumway
and the Sheriff of Morris county, arrested
Ryan at Boonton, N. j., upon a requisition
from the Governor of this State. The circum-
stances of the arrest, as graphically detailed by
Mr.. Shumway, were somewhat exciting and
amusing.
Mr.. Shumway, disguised with pair of
double-eyed spectacles, and buttoned up,
green overcoat, in company with the New Jer-
sew sheriff found Michael ut work in coal
bin, picking up iron and coal.
"Good morning, Michael said Mr.. S., sa-
luting Ryan.
"Good morning, sir," replied Michael, ev-
identity not recognizing Mr.. Shumway.
"NIichael Ryan, don't you know me; p
said Mr.. Shumway, removing his spectacles
Michael Immediately denied that he did
know him, and also denied that {" Michael
Ryan, was his name.
Michael Ryan, let me introduce you to
the Sheriff of Morris County," and Mr.. Shum-
way politely went through the form of intro
duction.
e Is this Michael Ryan :" snid the Sheriff.
!" Yes sir, and the man l want you to ar
rest was Mr.. Shumway's answer.
The Sheriff then went up to Michael, who
was in the bin, laid his hand on his shoulder,
and arrested him.
Michael, instead of giving up to the law,
slyly edged to the side of the bin, leapt over,
and ran, Mr.. Shumway and the Sheriff in
pursuit.
Mr. Shumway had almost laid hands on the
fugitive, when Ryan dashed into lot filed
with loose lumber, stones, &C., leaping over
every obstruction, like deer. Mr.. Shum-
ways leg unfortunately caught between two
logs, and he pitched ahead about ten feet. In
the meantime the Sheriff shot ahead like a
hailstorrn, Mr.. S. quickly recovering himself,
and joining him. At last, the prisoner and
his pursuers reached plank bridge, without
rails, that spawned river. Here Ryan's foot
caught, and he fell on the bridge, the Sheriff
on top of him.
''You cuss, you your name aiu't Michael
Ryan, amt i" cried the Sheriff, graphing
his prisoner by the throat.
A struggle, and lurch, which sent all
hands into the river, was Ryan's only response
to the Sheriff. question. Here Michael was
secured and ironed, and forthwith brought to
Worcester for trial.