The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-12-04
A Gang Of Eighteenth Ward sRepeaters"
Attack a Liquor Saloon.
Florence Scannell and Several
Others Fatally Wounded.
Pistols, Clubs, Dirks and Other Weapons
Used Unfortunately.

from Mackerelyille headed by Florence Scanne, q
politician OF small calibre in the Eighteenth ward,
commenced series OF scrimnages that will, no
doubt, terminate fatally to several persons engaged
In them and to one or two men who happened
to DO near the scene Of the ARRAY. From the state
ments made by the officers OF the Eighteenth pre-
cinct it appears that at about the above hour the
party, headed by Scanne and his half brother John
entered the store of Thomas Donohoe No. 37o Second
avenue corner OF Twenty third street. The latter,
being a friend OF Scannell's opponent John Nesblt.
VINO is an aspirant for Aldermanic honors AMI
against Scanne, who Is also candidate, was teered
and hooted aL by the mob most OF whom were armed
with revovers which they carried openly, ana had
also concealed under their coats Large clubs, EVIL
IDENTITY manufactured for the occasion. A number
OF these weapons are now In the possession OF the
police, besmeared with blood. John Scannell, the
brother OF Florence, was loud IN his denunclations
OF the Nesbit faction, and repeatedly exclaimed,
III can kill any orange son OF a. that crosses
me or my brother" Donohoe,. surmising the party
had entered his place for the purpose OF creating
a disturbance, ordered them out, which command
they refused to obey and threatened violence should
any one attempt TO interfere with or modest then.
FATAL SHOT.
About this time some one In the party, whether
Of Florence Scanncll's friends or Donohoe's could
not be ascertaIned, fred shot, and Florence fell
to the door, exclaiming "By Us, am shot,"
The ARRAY from this time assumed very serious
shape; whskey bottles pistols knives clubs chairs
and tumblers being used indiscrminately. During
the melee Florence Scannel received wound In the
side from pistol shot, the ball taking backward
course, severing the spinal cord.
THE WOUNDED.
George Johnson, an engineer, residing at NO. "a
Grand street, Williamsburg, was shot In the neck,
severing the carotid artery. He was removed to
Bellevue Hospital. but before he reached there lost
his senses, and not the slightest hopes enter
tanned Of his recovery.
man named Joseph Martini a salesman at No. "a
Spring street. residing at the Pacific Hotel, In the
Bowery, received blow on the head from club in
the hands Of one OF the mob fracturing his skull.
His wounds, which are not dangerous, were dressed
by Police Surgeon Kimbark. alter which be was
removed to the hospital and will be held as Wit
ness. proprietor Of the place, Thomas Donohoe,
received pistol shot wound in the right arm be-
tween the elbow and wrist, which is not OF very
serious nature. DR.. Phillips, OF Bellevue Hospital,
made an examination OF the arm. and discovered
that the bones were shattered, but expressed the
opinion that 1t would not be advisable TO amputate
it at present Florence Scannell was placed In an
ambulance and removed to Bellevue Hospital, when
an examination OF his wounds was made by the
house surgeon but before 1t was finished he became
palsed in his lower limbs and lost his Senses which
DR.. Lyons, his physician, pronounced exceedingly
dangerous, and stated further, that he could not
possibly survive through the night
ENTER THE POLICE
Oflcers Kellahen, King, Wilson, Pittman, Win
ship and Mcdonald, OF the Eighteenth precinct and
OCarroll, OF the Twenty first, being on post in the
vicinity at the time the riot broke out and hearing
the shooting hasaned to the scene ofthe disturbance
but their efforts to quel the ARRAY were for somo
time OF no avail, as the party had became exaspe-
rated such an extent that they struck right and
left whoever came in their way. Several persons
were wounded after the police had entered the
place, among Others the proprietor, Don0hoc. As
many ~ could be secured were placed under
arrest aud conveyed to the Eighteenth precinct
station house In Twenty second street, near First
avenue, where several OF them were held as w.t.
nessey.
John Scannell who was arrested By oflcer Kella.
hen offered desperate resistance, but being finally
overcome, conveyed to the station house, where
he has acted in very disordery manner frequently
exclalmlng "that he liked to murder any Orange
OF who came across him." Upon being
searched in the station house -barrelled re-
volver with six chambers discharged was found in
his possession, also q large bowie knife, both OF
which weapons are now In the possession OF the
police. Another sevenbarreed revolver, similar 70
the one found on Scanne was found by the police
the floor OF Dononoes saloon, having several OF tho
chambers discharged but no owner Tor the revolver
daged and placed in q sling, in company with John
Scannell, who received no wounds, was taken
Jefferson Market, when complaint was preferred
against Donohoe by William TInsnan, residing at
the Compton House o q m wn street
witnessed the ARRAY and shat Dononue shot Florence
scanned. 0flicer Kellahen preferred complaint
against John Scannell on behalf OF Thomas Johnson,
who Informed him that he was the party who shot
him. II Is claimed that both Donohoe and Johnson
werc shot by John Scannell, but no evidence ap-
peared to substansiate this fact.
Alderman Ward committed both prisoners to await
the result OF the injuries.
STATEMENTS OF THE PRISONERS.
During the examination at the above court the
room was crowded by large number OF the friends
politicians and members OF the gang who had en-
tered Donohoe's place. They were pointed out by
ers were locked up the crowd assumed threat
ening attitude, ana the deputy wardens were conf 4
PEELED to place an extra guard on the court and
an attempt 10 rescue the incarcerated roughs.
The statements Of the parties concerned In the
riot differ somewhat and in order That no one-sded
version should appear In the HERALD repre-
sentative or this paper obtained the statement
ot,cer Keahen states that at fifteen minutes past
one O'Clock he was standing ut the OF Twenty
fourth street and Second avenue In company with
officer Wilson, When he saw q party OF from twelve
to eighteen men, headed by Florence and John scan
nell, close by; they went down Second avenue 10
Of Thomas Donohoe, where they remained about one
minute, when Thomas Johnson came running out
and said he was shot in the neck By John Scannell
he was Bleeding In the neck az the times went as lar
as the door OF Donohoc's place with officer Wilson;
the party had all got out by this time arrested
John scannell; found Florence In the hands OF his
friends, who were placing him In wagon 10 convey
him to Bellevue Hospital; arrested John aud took
MIN to Mr.. Stotn's mouse; the mob had sticks under
their coats; Donohoe said John Scannel had shot
him. TInsman, who preferred q complaint against
Donohoe, states that Florence Scanne and his crowd
entered Donohoe's place, when Fory asked tho
crowd crowd 70 drink, wheIeat Donohoe drew revolver,
Thomas Donohoe, the proprietor OF the place,
states That few minutes alter one o'clock he was
standing behind his bar when Florence accom-
panied by about twenty Others entered and, pro-
ceeding TO the back door, commenced kicking and
striking 1t; the door had no knob on 1t; he shook
Uan cnll cd