Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1858-06-15

IHE ATTEMPT ON JUDGE's LIFE IN NEw
1ohK.-The New York EUening Post of Sat-
urday, gives the following account of the at
tempted shooting of police justice, as re.
ported by the telegraph:
" esterday afternoon, while Justice Steers
was presiding at the Essex Market Police
Court, Mr.. Chauncey Shaffer entered and
walking directly up to the outside rail. sc.
costed him, using most opprobious epthets
and then passing through the gate of the
platform, drew loaded pistol and presented
1t at MIR. Steers head, calling him .,eorrunt
Vagabond." Officer Dyckman and others
caught Mr.. Shaffer by the arm and drew him
aside, when the clerk asked why he should
not be committed for contempt. At this Mr..
ohaffer turned, and again pointing the wean.
on, with the muzzle almost in the magistrates
race challenged him to do it. He was AGAIN
selzed and removed from the platform. He
ielC the courtroom, but was arrested some
hours afterwards on warrant from Justice
Connely, and brought back to the Essex Mar
ket Court Room.
Mr.. Shafter, we learn, has been suffering
lor TWO weeks past from toothache. A molar
OF the lower Jaw upon the right side had
oeeh Tor some time under charge of dentist,
when the disease extending to the branches
tack OF facial neuralgia, attended with the
most agonizing symptoms. He was united
for business, and would sit by hours in his
seat at his office, sweating profusely under
exquisite torture.
Yesterday morning, unable longer to en-
dure the suffering, he called upon dentist
and directed him to destroy the nerve of the
carlous tooth. That person accordingly
Prooed the cavity and applied a preparation
lie then told Mr.. Shaiier that he must bear
the pain Tor the day. He also forbade the
use OF chlorofoIm, though its application was
earnestly besought, saying that MIR. Shafer
could not bear It's use. Mr. Shaffer, however
procured quantity while on the way to his
office. He took several doses during the
morning, and about noon left the office saw
ing he was going to take his wife out to Hioh
| Bridge. In about an hour he returned saw.
ing that his agony was so great that he could
not go as he had contemplated. A short
time after, German, named Bladen. client
called to secure his attendance at the court.
de spoke severely of the conduct of the JUS
uce. Mr. Shatfer arose in great excitement.
and declared that he would 90 with him at
once, which he accordingly did, telling his
partners that he would not be back. His de-.
mleanor, approaching to the character Of de-
| lirum, alarmed them.
On his way he stopped at gunsmith's in
Chatham street, in frenzy of excitement.and
throwing down double eagle, demanded a
| pistol, vociterating that he wanted to shoot a
scoundrel. The weapon was furnished him.
and he hurried to the Court, where the Or
curence above described took place. After
his arrest he was placed in back room, un.
der guard. In the evening he seemed TO re-
cover, and insisted that somebody had been
Killed. No one present could convince him.
TIL Mr. Steers himself came in and assured
him of the facts. Mr.. ShaiIer was taken home
and physician called. lie has not been able
to leave the house today. He has no remem.
brance of the scene at the Court House. The
whole affair seems to have been a case of men.
tai alteration, supervening in consequence Of
neuralgia and injudicous use OF chlorolorm--
aspecies of epiliptic mania not unusual in
such circumstances. Between Mr.. Steers and
MIR. Shaifer the most cordial personal relations
have ever existed, and Mr.. Steers declines
taking further proceedings in this singular
affair" ''''