The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-08-22
HOMICIDE In THE FOURTH WARD.
A Junk Dealer and IA Child Shot by n Ship
Captain-The Mob Attempt 10 Lynch Him.

Captain-The Mob Attempt 10 Lynch Him.
About three O'Clock yesterday the hdoftates of the
lower part OF Dover street, in the Fourth ward,
were thrown into feverish excitement over sup
posed double murder and an attempt to lynch the
guilty party. The widest rumors were circulated
through the ward, and as the particulars spread
from mouth to mouth among the immense crowd
who quickly congregated they were enlarged upon
until the generally accepted story was that
one man ana woman had been killed out
right and the perpetrator ynched by the popuace.
Inquiries made at the station house in Oak street.
however, resulted in securing detailed statement
of the circumstances Of the transaction. From the
statements OF Mrs. Mary O'Toole, Of No. 10 Dover
street. who has an apple stand opposite No. 15S
South street; of the captain OF the ship Pacific;
Samuel Foss Of South Seventh street, Williams
burg; officer Thomas Cogan, who made the arrest,
and Others 1t appears that about three o'clock Mrs.
OOole proceeded TO the end OF pier 81 at the foot
of Dover street, at which the Pacific Is lying, and
finding barrel OF phosphate Of lime broken open,
took shovelful out and Carried 1t TO her stand.
few minutes later she sent a boy whose name has
not been ascertained, Tor another shoyelful. Foss
who observed the boy appropriating the lime, rushed
out of the ship armed with a loaded cane, and COM
mencea a vigorous attack upon the young pilferer,
Foss says, with the small end Of the stick. After
whipping the boy. he turned upon Mrs. O'Toole who
had received the stolen property, and was pommel-
ing her severely, when John HARRISON Jr., junk
dealer residing at No 236 Madison street. and doing
business at No. 1871 South street. and Others rushed
in to save the woman from what they considered an
unnecessary and brutal attack. In the melee Foss
drew O twelve barrelled revolver and discharged
three shots at Harrison one of viii oh took effect in
his breast penetrating The lungs; the second enter
ing the groin. and the third passing wide
Of the mark and entering the groin
Of tIa rrir n unarG m
OF No. los Roosevelt street, who happened to be
near as spectator of the fracas.
When the ARRAY first commenced between the
Captain and the woman and boy officer Cogan was
at pier No. 49, and hurried down with all possible
third shot had been fired, and selling Foss wrencned
the weapon from his grasp aud took him into Gus
tody. Harrison after receiving the wounds rushed
| into his store and Immediately came out and made
| an assault upon FOss A number OF Harrison's
friends who had collected picked up some weights
| from the counter and hurled them at Foss who was
being borne of by officer Cogan One of the missiles
struck him on the left temple and inflicted wound
that bled prousely. Another struck the ofcer be-
| tween the shoulders INJECTING slight injuries BY
this time the crowd had been largely increased, and
rush was made for Foss, with the evident inten.
him. number OF 'longshoremen coming up as
sisted the ofcer and kept back the mob who yelled
Lynch him throw him In the river ~ FOss was
safely escorted to the station house and locked up
| Harrison was put into wagon by his friends ana
| called to attend him. They failed to extract the
| balls, and pronounce one OF his wounds probably
rapidly, and but slight hopes were entertained OF
his recovery.
The child was taken to Bellevue Hospital by the
| police. Her wound Is severe.
Foss states that he acted in sef.defence He re-.
presents That his ship, which Is owned by William
Nelson Jr, arrived here on Saturday the l4th, from
| Liverpool, with general cargo While discharging
at tins pier ne has been annoyed by thieves, who
have stolen over $500 worth OF property from the
| wharf. He appealed to the police who recommended
him to arm himself for the protection of the pro-
perry under his charge He admits the attacks upon
|
! that q number OF men. including HARRISON
surrounded hun, knocked him down and were beat
| ing him. when he jumped up, drew the revolver and
shot Harrison in sefdefence He further states that
there mob Of from six to ten persons assaiing
| CoQan do not agree. Cogan states that when the
shots were fired Harrison mad struck Foss, and
| another man, whose name was not ascertaned was
cutting his nat In pieces with shovel; that these
are the only parties who were near the captain.
a, the station house about six O'Clock and had an
interview with Foss, who made the above state.
ments. They represent MIN to be quiet, sober and
industrious man, who has been in Mr.. Nelson's EN-
and has wife and family residing in Williamsburg
in aflluent circumstances. and has wife and three
children. Sergeant Kelly and the police OF the ward
bear testimony to his good character, and express
the belief that in the part he took he was prompted
BY his better feelings TO protect the weak against
Later In the evening Coroner Flynn proceeded to
| the residence Of the wounded man. and empanelng
jury, took his ante mortem statement, as fol
1
| Ny name is John Harrison, residing at 23s Madi
| son streat; believe am about To die ana have nc
hope of recovering from my INJURIES tins afternoon,
August 81, was standing In my store No. l57 South
street; the prisoner, here now Samuel Foss,, was
| beating q boy in front OF my store, IN
| the middle of the street; he had loaded
| stick; he struck him several times with IL
| he then turned on a poor woman who keeps an
apple stand in front Of 1853 South street and struci
| her repeatedly with the loaded stick; went out to
| prevent his beating the woman; took mold OF hin
by the collar Of his coat to keep him until police
| officer should come while l held him he shot me
| twice with q pistol feeling myself wounded
| struck him. he fired several shots, two OF which
| took effect on me; also heard that he shot girl;
| was then brought home In Mr.. Wayders wagon.
DR.. William Shine testified that he examined Thu
| wounds Of Harrison, aud found hlmlsufferlng from
two pistol shot wounds, In the left groin, which
| though dangerous Is not likely to be fatal. The
second Ia the left side OF the chest, between tn,
first and second RIBS and inch to the left OF TIL
| os sternum. The Da has entered the substance O
the left lung. This latter wound, in the opinion
| DR.. Shine, may prove fatal
| The verdict Of the jury was IN accordance will
| these facts
At eleven O'Clock last night both OF the victim
| were still living. The girl Della Adams, who wa
! supposed 10 have been but slightly wounded IL 4
| elieved will die. The physicians have no hope 10
| the recovery OF either OF the parties wounded.
THE LINCOLN MONUMENT FUND.
|