The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-02-18
CRIME.
A BIaChsn1ith FearFuIIy Beaten in His
Shop with u Hammer.


The New York Herald, of this morning says:
Yesterday afternoon laconic despatch was
received at the Central Office from the TWen-
tieth precinct, calling for the Coroner to pro,
Ceed to "NO. 1873 West Thirty third street, and
take the aute mortem examination of Peter
Mcdonald ~, who lies at the point OF death
from injuries received at the hands OF another
person."
Inquiries were made at the Twentieth pre-
CinCt Tor particulars, when The sergeant on duty
knew nothing regarding the case beyond Whai
was telegraphed above. Captain Hedden, how
ever, bIle1y gave the particulars 10 those
representatives OF the press who applied. From
mis- statement, and those OF the friends of the
injured man, the following facts have been
obtainCd:-
On the 25th nit. Mr.. Mcdonald, who is a boss
blacksmith, was engaged in his shop in Forty
first street. between Ninth and Tenth avenues,
and in the act OF shoeing horse, when one
James Mcdonald, or Medium, discharged
jOurneyman OF his, who resides in Ninth
avenue, between Fifty-thTd and Fifty-fourth
streets, accompanied by a friend, came to the
door. The friend remained outside James
Mcdonald entered and got iuto an angry DIS
cussion with Mcdonald the elder, which
progressed for some little time,
when Jim became so enraged that he seized the
hammer Peter was using and dealt him a severe
blow on the head with it,. This was followed
by another on the temple thatrendered the man
iusensible. The rutlian followed up his assault
with the hot tongs, which it is supposed he
laid open. The wounded mans nose also
bears the impress of teeth, leading to
the suppostion that during the fight jim
hit Peter on that organ. The as5ailant,
after committing the assault, lett his victim
for dead, ana fed. An officer of the Twentieth
precinct subsequently arrested the would.be
murderer and he was taken to Jefferson Market
and committed for trial week age last
Friday Mr.. Mcdonald was sufficiently conva.
lesCent TO permit his transfer to the Grand
jury room, where he made affidavit detailing
the facts OF the felouious assault. The fatigue
IL
riOusly, ana he has been growing worse ever
since,
Yesterday he became so low that the attend
ing physician pronounced his recovery impro-
bablP, and Coroner Flynn proceeded TO hold an
ante-morem examination. MI McDOuald was
in such a critical condition that his evidence
could not be taken.
The most remarkable circumstance connected
with the case, however is that alter the com.
mitment OF the man Jim Mcdonald, to await
trial, and while IN the custody of Sheriff
O'Brien'S deputies, he was by some means
lost" and made good his escape. rae officer
who originally arrested him the same night
Of his escape encountered the ruffian-such is
the statement of the injured mans friends-and
on atemDting to arrest him was twite fred
upon, and the fellow made his escape and is still
at large. Captain He eiden justly feels indignant
at the facility with which this prisoner escaped,
and is doing all in his power to secure his re-
arrest.
In answer to despatch from the Central
Office sent at thirty minutes past ten last night,
the following information from the olotter OF
the Twentieth pTecluct was furnished:--
January 25-From Twentieth-At three P. NJ.
An alteration in Forlieth street, near Ninth
avenue, whereby man named P. Philip
McDunn was struck on the head with hammer,
in the hands of James Mcdonald, injuring him
severely. Mcdonald was arrested. Medium
was taken to Bellevue Hospital by Officer
Woodruff.
At ten o'clock Mcdonald was still living, but
in q very feeble condition, and his physician
was OF the opinion that he would not survive
the night