The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-07-12
ArTEMPT TO SHOOT AN ALDERMAN.


man Charged With Improper Conduct
Towards the Wife and sister or an Ex-
C0aacilman, Who Attempts to shoot
ue Alderman In the Park--Excitement
Among the Political ns-Various Ver-
siOns OF the Affair.
The City ball came very being the Of another
tragedy about O'Clock yesterday afternoon but ortu-
atey by the prompt interference Of friends, serious
damage DONE Within the past few days various
nos have been aoat respecting the conduct Of OF
city fathers at excursion ABOUT two weeks ago, at
which the wife and sister Of Councilman were re-
ported TO have been the injured parties The xCounci
having thus caused the facts TO be made public, by
attempting 70 take the law in his hands, give the
particulars which led to the difficulty in the Park
On the 2sth of June the St. Mary's Benevolent Associa
ton held their annual excursion Jones' Wood the
ty numbering about fifteen hundred ladies and gentlemen
Among those present several OF city officials
including Alderman Henry W. Genet. The Alderman it
appears, reached the grounds early in the afternoon
bis pleasure yacht, from Harlem, where he keeps the
same As usual, he surrounded by q number o.
friends all Of whom adjourned TO the hotel drink
Some time elapsed here when, the Alderman returning
TO where he had LEFT his boat he discovered his SOULS
had taken and carried Of He soon ascertaned
that party of ladies and gentlemen had gone of
other boat, and that of the men took
the SOULS. Mr.. Genet, not knowing who the
party were, concluded to 90 out aud see
Getting into his yacht he set sail for them They
not great distance of, and coming alongside their
boat discovered that the two his acquain
sancee-John Kechum Inspector Of Street Membranes
o. ,he Sre. ans % IN ,ne Goa
Mr.. Genet One OF them the wife Of ex Councilman
James kerrgan at present scribner ut Essex Market
Police Court, another his sister, and the third
quaintance Of Mrs. kerrigan. Mr.. Genet stated his
reason for following them, not knowing but par
tics had wfuly stolen the sculis but happy 10 ind
them the OF his friends One of the Ia
dies, by invitation, then got into the Aderman's
OF Conrads Hot l and got ont aere the remaining por
ton Of the afternoon spent In drinking wine, &c.,
sna rs STATED BY one one O. the party the ladies' were
left by the Alderman. That they visited any other place.
that the Alderman and his friends attempted to put
them ashore Ran tas Island, reported is souty
Denied but the contrary the ladies' said 10 have
been tbs least anxious to get oat OF the boats.
sister n.law is that the Alderman and his friends used
improper language towards them and that their actions
any thing but that Of geutlemen
On their return home Mr. Kerrigan was made ac-
quainea with these facts, when he at declared
geance upon both Genet and Ketchun, and, allie ,ed,
armed himself with pistol, the next day kept
che look out for both parties, He was however, unable
to meet with either until within day or two ago
Whether from desire the part of Genet and Ketchum
TO keep out OF the way not cannot say but though
Kerrigan daily TO be sen about the City Hall, he
could get no sight Of either OF them.
On Friday or Saturday last kerrisan met Ketchum
face 70 face in Park row, and going up to
him demanded to know If he was armed Keichum
replied that he was not, and was about to make
an explanation to Kerrigaa but the latter became
greatly excited and drawing it is alleged revolver re-
marked to Ketchum-'l viii give you just three minutes
TO prepare" Ketchum, Oh seeing the pistol, became
greatly alarmed and dared down flight Of stairs and
made his escape into Nassau street
Yesterday afternoon about one O'Clock, Kerrlgan again
stationed himself in Park In front Of the saloon of
Crook Duff and while there be observed Alderman Genet
coming out Of the saloon in company with Council
Thomas Dunn They crossed over and entered the
As all parties had got inside the railing ker-
rigan called to Genet TO hold up, and going
up to him demanded TO know If he armed, at the
same time drawing from his breast pocket revolver He
aimed at the head Of Genet bu, the latter not wishing
70 receive its contents, jumped behind tree Me-. Dom
immediately put his band over the mzzle OF the pistol
and told kerrgsn he was going 70 shoot he would have
TO shoot through him kerrean soon found himself sur
rounded by crowd who, appears, had observed him
In the act OF drawing the weapon, and ran over and
seized him Kerrgan then threw his pistol down and
wanted 10 fight Genet but in this he also dsappoint
friends
The report of the difficulty spread like widhre around
and for the remaining portion of the day the main
topic Of conversation.
What will be the final result of the affair is at present
unknown. kcrrgsn is determined to have satisfaction
for the alleged wrongs done his wife aud sister and
less prevented win no doubt AXE another attempt at the
lives Of these two Alderman Genet and Mr. ketchum
Il appears refuse TO make any complaint against ksrr
gan, although the former called upon City Judge Russell
during the Afternoon and advised with him on the subject
ANOTHER ACCOUNT OF THE ArrRAY.
The Park, in the vicinity OF the eastern entrance
Park Row, very being the sceno Of another
tragedy yesterday afternoon about o'clock The az
fak grew out Of scandal which had been aoat for
several days past concerning sister Of Mr. James T.
Rerrigan deputy clerk at the Essex Market Police Court
Alderman Genet, s alleged in company with other city
officials, took occasion, yachting excursion to insult
young ladies who were in their company and among
the number Mr. Kerrigans sister. For this insult Mr.
Kerrgan threatened to shoot the Alderman sight, and
notified the latter 10 arm himself for the conflict
Yesterday, as Mr. Kerfgsn passing into the
PIT Ifr NAV N thp Wall he "a
the Alderman walking towards Park row, in
company with two friends. The monen, Of
re,ribu,on had arrived, and Kerrgan resolved 10 ps
his threat Of vengeance execution Drawing pistol
from his pocket and pointing deliberately at Genet, he
called upon the lat 70 defend himself but the Alder
man made reply the His friends, fearing
chat Kcrrgan would shoot placed themselves before the
Aldmanic target snd for the moment shielded the Of
fender.
Kerrigsn In order to provoke the Alderman 10 fight,
applied TO Linn the cpihet OF thief " but Genet was
not put passion easily and cDnentcd himself
by mildly replying that be no thief" Thereupon
kcrrigan made use OF tte stronger language but all
20 purpose Genet would not be driven into doing
anything desperate. |
Matters continued in this way for several minutes.
aud bcsough, him o. pa; up bis pistol The |
Alderman advantage Of this incident 70 shade him
self behind the trunk Of tree and there remained IN per-
feet safety until the friends Of Kerrigan succeeded paci
flying the latter and making him put up the much drcadd
pistol
When things had thus beeo boodlessy arranged Genet
and bis friends moved OF in direction, while Kcrri-
gan was prevailed upon 70 take another aud opposite
course.
Both Korri-an and Gene, were remarkably cool during
the cntre controversy, and their self under
inch trying circumstances the thsnne Of general
verzatspn.
Prom Mr. Kerrigans well known character for GOODNESS
and determination. supposed thst a shot two
would DO unsvodable but thanks 20 the Interference 81
dsntercsted bystandcrs, the Common Council mas been
spared the painful necessity of calling special meeting "
Jass usual resolutions Of culogy, which OF
would have followed the decease u eminent member
of the city government. |
ANOTHER ACCOUNT OF THE OUTRAGE.
In Connection with this ARRAY, and in addition 20 the
version already published, give another account VI
the outrage which was the origin Of the whole affair.
This account reporter received directly from the
friends OF Kerrigsn sister and may therefore be
garded the ady's own narration Of the facts Of
tbe case, and is, doubtless, reliable than any