New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-12-04
TRAGEDY IN THE EIGHTEENTH WARD


For long time past crowd of ruffians
known the Scanned gang, havekept the Eighteenth
and Twenty.drst Wards In state Of almost perpetual
disquet and excitement Brolls frequent, and
these occasions knives and pistols were invariably used
and almost always with serious consequence Possessing
strong political influence, these desperadoes could with
mpuniy commit any outrage in these Wards and escape
punishment.
The leaders Of this gang are two half brothers named
Florence and John Scanned Florence has always been
prominent perhaps for the that he is
garded the more intelligent The various gangs Of re-
peaters who have at each election for the past
four five years Travelled from poll to poll In these two
Wards, aiding 10 swell the immense Democratic MAORI
ties have been engineered by Florence aided by sherH
O'Bren and others Of his class
TWO years ago q Congressional Committee was APP
pointed to investigate the outrageous Democratic frauds
perpetrated in this city at the preceding election and
among the witnesses summoned TO Washington TO testify
Florence scannell He questioned with refer
TO these frauds in that section OF the city where he
had worked election day. ana refusing answer ques
tons committed TO the custody OF the SeTReantat
Arms Of the House of Representatives. He subse
quently called before the Committee. and fined
for his conduct. The Hon. James Brooks,
the Democratic Member OF Congress from that District
pleaded for his constituent that he poor mechanic
(Scanne repued 10 he dishonest horse jockey and
unable pay his fine One Of the Committee pointed to
scaunes shirt 'front.' and asked if NewYork mechanics
in the habit of wearing such jewelry Mr. Brooks
responded that it was no uncommon thing for men IN
NewYOrk to receive such presents as the reward OF good
actions performed by them. Eventually Scanned was
released, and on returning TO this city rather pume9
himself iamOnG his companions on his adventure anu
defiant bearing before the Congress Committee.
Recently Scanned received the nomination for Alder
Of the XVIII District from the Mozart and Constl
tutiona Union Democracy and had also been Endorsed
by set or men Claiming to represent the Morkhgineh
OF the District In opposition 70 John Nesbtt the Tam
TO many OF his odtime associates, and several angry
controversies have taken place between them.
Soon after p. N. yesterday, number OF NesDitts
friends seated IN the back room OF Thomas Dono-
hues Hquor-sore, the southeast Of Second
ave and Twenty thrd.st, playing dOminoes. DOnohue
is also supporter OF Nesbit and this fact was known to
Scanned Shortly before the hour named Florence ana
John, and crowd numbering twelve or fifteen OF their
adherents, bad entered a barroom on Thirdaye, and
carrying out their threats Of cleaning out" the place
1t is eoDectured that some one must have told
proceeded directly thither, and entered the saloon
by the Twenty -third-st. door Florence Scanned
accompanied by ms brother ana the gang passed. through
the store the former nOddng cavaery 10 the propre
he passed and attempted to enter the room
Ihe door was fastened ana scanhel couhehceo Ickns
and pounding on II, demanding admttance some one
opened the door when DOnOhue called TO those inside 10
close it. An attempt made to do So when Scanned
kicked it open and he did his party produced clubs
the purpose Of cOnceang the weapons and commenced
general attack on all IN the inner room. Finding them
escape Some got out OF the windows others ran
the gauntlet Of the attacking party, receiving serious
dong
fired. II alleged that all OF these were fired by the
SCanDe0 adherents. Thomas johnson, who Il said 10
have had nothing to do with the row hut was attempt
ing escape. knocked down, and John Scanned fired
ehOts at him he lay the floor. one OF the bu
LET'S entered JOhusOns neck causing a probably fatal
wound D0nohue, who had come from behind the bartO
eEdeHvOr Quell the disturbance, received ball III the
right arm lust above the elbow Florence scannel IN
some unexplained manner, received a ball in the right
shoulder, and fen helpless the floor DOnOhue 10
the Eighteenth Precinct statiouhouse Twenty second
Der OF officers were at once sent 10 his saloon by Sc
geant Banhed.
In the meantime Officers Kilahau and Wilson OF the
Eighteenth Precinct who had the Scanned gang pass
them few moments before, while sandngon the corner
Of Twentyfourthst and Second ave- heard the row ana
reached the scene III time 20 see the scanned crowd come
out Inc AlsOlly OF those AttacAsG hAu souFn' sals
in flight johnson, however, followed the crowd
ont. He bleeding freely from the wound
IN his meek, and on seeing the Officers, PoiAtee
out John Scannel as the man who had shot
him. Joseph Martin, boarder at the Paeify Hotel
received severe cnD6hg ana was OeedlhE itey lIo
wounds In the head lie could not point out his assai
made their escape Florence Scanned and johnson
taken Bellevue Hospital John Scanned. Donohue Nt
having alleged by Of the Scanned that he
shot Fiorence) and one VIM. Ginsman member Of the
Scanned gang were taken into custody and conveyed to
The news Of the affair spread through the ward and
the entrances Bellevue Hospital and the Station
tain some information concerning the fight,
Scanned and Donohue taken before Alderman Ward
acting Magistrate at jefferson Market Police Court about
8 D. m. They accompanied by large and noisy
crowd Of the partsans There was not even standing
room in the courtroom, and the policemen were kept
busily employed In endeavorng TO maintain order Tins
man. who bOarder at the Compton House, corner OF
plant against DonOhue. and officer Kiahan, who
John Scanned made the charge Of feonous assault
against his prisoner The officers displayed large
sOrtment Of bludgeOns bOweknife and two reyOlvers
which had been found the walk outside the saloon
The Ievovers are exactly alike but II is not known pos
tvely who their owners one yet has claimed
them One had three charges missing and the other
chamber empty The prisoners were both locked up the
magistrate refusing 10 accept bail ~, ~. &c.,,
The following are the statements OF some OF those en-
e"e'0 STATEMENT OF THOMAS DoSoHUE.
was standing behind the bar when Florence and
saloon Florence said TO me IN a sneenne way, How
are you" and then went TO the Darkroom door told
MIN not 10 20 In the door was opened from the
side, and called 10 those inside to shut 1t the crowd
then drew clubs and forced open the door those inside
could; John Scanned fire two shots as johnson as
he lay on the ho0r at the same moment fet myself
shot the then ran into the street; the crowd
followed ran to the statonhouse ana asked TO- pro-
lection; fired shot, and had DO pistol at the tme
STATEMENT OF EDWARD BARRETT.
Edward Barrett bartender for DOnOhue stated that he
at once start for the door OF the inner ROOM immediately
after the door burst open he saw clubs produced by
the party from beneath their coats and an attack was
with this he saw the fash Of and heard the report OF
discharge OF pistols; he one have pistols but
the Scanned party; the others seemed only too anxious
" s'' STATEMENT OF WIN TISsMAS.
VIM. Tlnsman says he ana ms party went INTO inc sa
loon 10 get drinks, and DOnOhue, without opening his
trap Saying word shot Florry In the BACK and then
John Scanned refused TO make any statement but with
an oath declared " he believed the whole tlnug was
put-up Job Florry." winch, under the circumstances,
THE CONDITION OF THE WOUNDED.
There seems chance whatever for the recovery
OF Scanned The hi entered Just below the shoulder
spinai cord Or. sayre made an examination of the
wound but could not find the ball. The whole lower half
Of the body is parayz ed ana Dr. sayTe Dee'eS he can
The ball has extracted from Johnsons neck but