The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-07-18

A Rather MysseEious AGair-Contrad ictory
Statements all Areand-Fathsr Owen not
Dead, ~ Reported.
The case Of the recent assault upon q number of
Catholic clergymen at Far Rockaway, published in
yesterdays HERALD. excites general attention.
There Is still mysery enshrouding the aair known
only 10 those directly engaged In it, that only be
cleared up by judicial Investigation. There seems
to be a remarkable desire on the part of both the
assaed and the assaants to put the seal OF secrecy
on the afrair. This desire was successful for up
wards Of one week, since which time the case has
been brought to public notice, and the parties
thereto begin to throw light on the subject Sub
joined several statements relating to the affair."
but, Will be Observed they are somewhat CONTRA
dlct0ry:-
., WHAT AN EYE WITNESS SAYS.
Mr. Petit the proprietor OF the saloon attached to
the Neptune House, states that he was an eye wit.
ness Of the attack He says he saw Benjamin Mott
strike Father Pagan and knock him down, and saw
Corsor strike Father owen but thinks he did not
knock him down. The assault was continued for
some minutes. Corsor repeatedly striking Father
and another man. named Thomas Quinlan were
going to separate them but were told by other par
resi- 60 as y were
men. lie does not know whether CorsOr stabbed
Father owen or not but saw no one else strike him.
STATEMENT or CORsOR, ONE OF THE ASS AILANTs.
On the night Of the fight two young ladies-Miss
Carroll and Miss Rice-came to the bar and told him
that three men had lnsuted them and chased them
from the beach, He went down the street toward the
beach and met the men and asked them why they
insuIted the young ladies'. One of them, he says,
struck him over the head with cane. He returned
the blow and then left them. He did not know that
either Of them was stabbed If such thing occurred
state that it was directly opposite Motifs Hotel,
while Corsor says 1t was below the botc on the road
STATEMENT OF FATHER PAGAN.
He states that Father owen OF Newark. and him.
self started from their hotel about nine O'CLOCK for
way to the beach they passed a crowd of about ten
or dozen young people, OF whom four were men.
Father Owen noticed that the young women were
to the effect that such conduct on the part OF the
men was wrong. The men tod him TO go along and
mind his own business; SO the two walked or TO the
beach, and after enjoying swim they started back
for the hotel AT The same place they found the same
sault on Father Owen. Father Pagan pushed for
ward to his friend'S assistance and pretty
severely bumped ped by. as he says, the elbows
Tested. The fourth man does not appear to have
taken any active part in the row; and when Father
Pagan thought he had received punishment enough
he started for the hotel At "double quick and LETT
Father Owen to look out for himself. He denies
having been knocked down and saws that Father
owen did not kiss the earth while he remained on
the spot, and he is wholly unable to state how the
last named gentleman received the cut on his tenn
pie. Father Pagan states that he does not believe
that either Mr.. Mott his bartender Had anything
to do with the affair, and that the assault
mtCeu dJ some distance from the nOtel. FOR some
days before he had noticed that a large number Of
roughs were at Rockaway and he believes the as
sauit was committed BY persons Of that class and
not by residents OF the place, and the stories which
have been set afOat by the residents to the effect
that Mr. Mott took hand In the 6ght ne looks upon
as an attempt TO iniure that gentleman IN MS busl-
ness.
OTHER STATEMENTS
Several persons state that Mott was beating
Father Pagan Miss Fanny Carroll, who Is neice OF
Mott, began to cry and said 'Dont xiii him, Uncle
Den; ne didn't do ANYTHING to US" shortly after
the cry ppm stabbed" was heard, and then the
fracaS ended.
FATHER OWEN NOT DEAD
The friends Of Father Owen, late Oh Seton Hall Col
lege but now temporarily officiating IN charge OF ST.
JOsephs church. Newark, In place OF Father Dalton
Will be glad to earn that Instead OF being dead, as
at first reported he Is alive and able to he about
and by no means likely TO shuttle or this mortal
COIL for many years to come. In all other
essential points he corr0borates the report which
appeared in Yesterdays HERALD. He states that
there was young man In company with the two
girls and that they were twice requested to retire.
and did 80 at last only with great reluctance. The
attacking party numbered ven. Father Morarty
was at Rockaway at the time OF the AFFAIR, but
not with the assaulted parties at the time Of the
occurrence.