The New York herald., 1869-06-21
ANOTHER PROBABLE HOMICIDE.

Attack Upon n Tenemenf.A Watchman Shot.
The usual Sunday quietude Of Downing street was
yesterday afternoon disturbed by an ARRAY between
parties that IL likely to result In the death OF an in
nocent spectator OF the dlsgraceful proceedings.
Under No. 1917 Downing street runs a long alley
known as "Jackson's," and somewhat noted IN the
past for domestic lbroils and lights. This aeyway
opens into large court whose four sides are
bounded by tenement houses, some Of the occupants
OF which DO not sustain the highest reputation for
peaceiulness and honesty. About ten minutes be-
fore SIX an old man, named Lawrence Gavigan, re-
siding In Thirtythird street, was shot dangerously
in the right breast by ball from revolver in the
hands of James Lynch.
The facts, as ascertained from witnesses OF the
occurrence, are these:-Lynch, who is agent
for the landlord Of the premises. lives on
the second floor, on the right OF the
square. In the premises resides an old
woman named Stringer. who has two sons,
named William and Henry. The boys are repre-
sented TO be very quarrels0me, and only few days
ago one Of them committed an assault upon one Of
the workmen employed on q new building in course
Of erection IN the ss YARD; Ihe landlord ordered
them notice 10 find Otner quarters. This exas-
perated the boys, one Of whom twilliam) on satur-
day night entered the yard, abused Lynch and
threatened him. About lour O'Clock yesterday Pat.
rick Hagan, of Thirteenth street, called
a table was drawn out from the wall some beer
and cards produced, and Lynch his wife and guest
engaged in several games OF euchre. About quar-
ter before six Mrs. Lynch, who sat close TO the win.
dow that opened into the yard, was asked by Bill
sringer II his mother was to be elected. and on re-
stones into the windows. Several passed into the
room where Lynch ana his family were sitting. lie
spranq to his feet, seized revolver and rush
ing TO the window was seized by Hagan
and disarmed. In the scunle between them
for the possession of the weapon the table
was overturned and the glasses and beer pitcher
brokpu Mrs. LYNCH threw the OF broken
glass at Stringer through the open portion OF the
window, when he returned the volley WITH stones.
Meanwhile Lynch by some means regained posses
sion OF tile revolver reached the window took aim
al Strlngcr aud was In the act or firing upon him
when his wife struck his arm, and the ball took
another direction, entering the body OF Gavigan,
the watchman ON the new building, who stood about
lfty eet to the right OF Stringer.
There was an immense comm0ti0n among
the occupants OF the tenement houses ut once,
and several rushed into the street crying mnrder ~
'policer ~ Ofrcer Edward Barbaett OF the Twenty
eighth precinct promptly responded, hurried into
the yard, entered Lynch's room and TOOK hlm into
custody.
The wounded man was conveyed to drug store
on the corner OF Bedford and Carmine Streets
where ex-Depuy Coroner Knox probed the wound,
but was unable TO ind the ball. The sufferer was
conveyed In coach TO the Greenwich street station
house and from thence 10 Bellevue Hospital In an
GavIgan is an old and inofrensivc man. aged pro-.
bably sxtynnc or seventy years. and the father OF
I'VE adult children. lie resides In Thrty-thlrd
street. between seventh and Eighth avenues but Tor
some time has been the watchman IN the alley above
stated The bali entered about two and hall inches
above and to the right Of the right nipple ana iron
and the fact that there was considerable Internal
hemorrhage, there but slight hopes entertained o
bis recovery.
Lynch expresses his regrets that the old man
should have been struck BY the bullet. but regrets
(which he stated he wished the public to know that
he had not killed stringer He claims that during
the whole transaction he acted entirely on the de.
fensive, and Strnger had threatened MS lile The
latter, during the panic that followed the shooting
made II convenient 10 escape. The Coroner Will
probably hold anti-m0rtem examination today 70
ascertain the particulars and the condition OF the
Watchman.