The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-09-25
Another Shooting Anray-A Rowdy sho,
by . Drug Clerk.


About O'Clock yesterday morning, three named
VIM II. Smith, Phillip Ntzsimmons and John Il. Cole, all
clerks In the drug store Of Greenwich and Barclay
steets were walking down Broadway, It is alleged they
nsued by four rowdes standing at the northwest
corner Of broadway and Canal street According to
Smith statement he and his friends quietly passing
at the time and gave provocaon 10 the rowdcs who
hooted al them ID tantalixing manner, and used the
most scurrous language. They made no reply to this
insulting Demonstration but simply looked around to
who the parties Hereupon the rowdes rushed upon
the unoendng clerks and commenced to strike right and
left, beating them in brutal Ftzsimmons, who
quite youth, happened be few PAGES behind his
companions and the first TO receive the attention Of
the rowdies Smith and Cole, seeing the in
which Ftzsmmons was being handled, naturally enough
rushed 70 his assistance, when they also were
struck and kicked most numerically. Smith
received several heavy blows in the head, and
would doubtless have been seriously injured had he not
promptly quoted the rufans by dealing with them in q
way which appears to be the only calculated put
gives his mare as James Wilson, was busiy engaged in
pummcllng Smith, when the latter drew revolver and
discharged the contents Of Of the barrels into the alb
domen Of his assaap Wilson Immediately fell To the
pavement but almost instantly his feet again and
scamperng away fast his condition would allow.
He up Broadway to Grand street. and through Grand
TO the Of Elm, where he again fell in state Of
complete exhaustion, and was conveyed TO neghboring
drug store for relief In the meantime his friends
the police authorities were aware Of the occurrence
Smith and his comrades on the contrary it is sad made
effort to escape, but remained the OF the af
fray until the arrival Of officer Croius To whom they
rendered themselves. officer Crolus hand few
minutes after the of tho difficulty, and
messed the shooting, but at the time did know
that any had been shot He nevertheless thought
1 proper 10 arrest Smith and Ftzsimmons, whom
| he conveyed to the Sixth ward station house,
TO await the action O the authorities Wilson, the
wounded man. was taken to the City Hospital, where he
lies in dangerous condition The bali penetrated the
abdomen at the left side, and has not been discovered
though the wound was carefully probed No trace has
been found Of the other rowdes The drug clerks Smith
Fzsmmons and Cole, are respectable looking and ntei-
| gent young men.
to the City Hospital to take the ante morem examination
OF Wilson, who was In very low condition. but still
able to give his testimony clearly A jury having been
summoned the wounded man. in reply 10 the questions of
the Coroner, deposed as follows
Between twelve and O'Clock this morning was
standing on the corner of Broadway and Canal street,
opposite the Brandreth House, conversng with FRIEND
crowd came down Broadway hooting quarreilng and
shouting when they reached tho corner noticed big
and !i:;e engaged in fighting; the big man
seemed TO be getting the worst Of it, and he drew pistol
and fred at his antagonist, who attempted get Of
ne ne sd S K ~ M q = .. Xxx Sss s,s
street. and told that had been wounded; he took
me to DOCTORS on the corner Of Grand and Crosby
streets, and afterwards procured carriage and conveyed
me to the City Hospta never had any alteration with
the who shot me, did have any acquaintance
with him; do not think he intended to shoot me;
at the time OF the occurrence there several
blows, hitting in every direction but did dot participate
in the fight reside at No. 81 Wooster street. and
shipcarpeDter by occupation.
Philip Ftzsmmons deposed-I reside at No. 32l Green
wch street; last night about twelve clock Henry Smith
John Cole and myself, approached the corner of
Canal street. saw crowd Of young standing there in
front of the Brandreth House, muuering something
themselves; my friends little in advance of
passed them, and ], hearing boot from the group,
turned round to look at them Of the Immediately
struck blow the chin; called to SmHh-the
still assaultDg me-to come to my assistance while
endeavored to defend myself with my umbrella the
knew that Smith was in charge Of officer; can
that Smith shot the man, swear that
Smith struck by either of the parties divine
the object of the attack recognize the wounded
being one Of the party who attacked US.
George G. Crous, policeman Of the Eighth ward, de-
posed attracted by fighting the of Canal
street and Broadway and going towards the beige
act of putting it in his pocket as approached him.
arrested him. and inquired what he fred the pistol for he
replied that he du in his defence called
raj times to know If any one was shot; answer
given and the men crossed and went Broadway;
took Smith and his companion, FZsimmons 10 the
ton house. and returned to the Of the ARRAY there
first learned that had been shot, and had been
taken TO the City Hospital went there and found the
wounded and three of his friends at his bedside;
these arrested but they denied that they knew Wilson
ALL they discharged from custody this morning
went to the Hospital and saw Wilson, and asked him
why his friends did not to him; he replied those
we're his friends whom arrested last night one of them
l knew 10 be pickpocket
Upon this testimony the jury rendered the following
singular verdict
James Wilson came to his woundng by pistol shot
fred by some person persons unknown.
Smith held in $4,000 bail to await the action
of the Grand Jury. F.smmons was held in $500 as
witness