The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-07-01
A HUMAN TARGET.
piper" Byrnes, Of the Eighteenth Ward-The
Most Extraordinary Shooting Case on Re-
cord-Interview With Him at Belle
vue Hospital-Fun Promised to
Succeed Convalescence.

The toughest shooting story on record Is that OF
John Byrnes, alias "Pper" Byrnes, who was
shot on Wednesday evening in liquor saloon at
$40 First avenue. Now "Piper' Byrnes though he
was called "Piper In consequence OF being so long
and slender ID very strong, and by no means des-
pcabe antagonist In ''square set-to" Last even
ting our reporter called at the houre where Byrnes
resides, at 425 East Fourteenth street. and was In
formed that ne had returned to the hospital. from
whence he had come after the shooting There was
nothing left TO do but to follow him thther Belle
vue was reached ana the deputy warden, Mr.. Con-
molly, took US through multitude Of wards where
men were lying in every conceivable state OF every
conceivable disease. 1t Is worthy OF remark
hat the atmosphere In all these wards
was singuarly pure and free from dsagreeable
odors 1t was even more cool and pleasant than
outside. with the exception Of just suspicion OF
chloride OF lime in the passage. In the somewhat
long walk it took to get TO ward 49, where Byrnes
lay, Mr.. Connolly informed our reporter that at pre-
sent the mortality Is somewhat above the average,
being about seven day on list OF 400 patients.
Thus 1t appears that the warm weather has great
deal to do with death in the hospital and everybody
about Bellevue is particularly anxious that the hot
spell should cease. At length ward Is was reached,
and there lay Byrnes, with his eyes open and LOOK
ing as happy as full-blooded clam at high water.
The warden introduced reporter to this extraor-
binary gentleman and the following conversation en-
sued-
REPoRTER-How do you feel, Mr. ByrnesY
BYRNEs-First rate, only for little pain In the
breast when move.
REPoRTER-Tell me how the whole thing occurred.
BYRNEs-well, you see, was not on good terms
with Mart Commerford. For some time there had
been muss between us.
REPoRTER-What was the cause OF il?
BYRNEs-A row about drinks that occurred some
three weeks ago.
REPoRTER-Did you 20 there since?
BYRNEs-Yes, almost every day, and during
last week had been on spree so that when
went in last night was little under the influence.
/ had three friends with me, and we went up to the
bar. COmmerford was behind. and nobody Was IN
the store at the time but ourselves. We ordered
drinks and then something was said about the
out from behind the bar with revolver and SAID,
"iou s-n OF b-h, what have you to say abou {
itfn and at the same time he put the revolver up TO
get square with me; | carried revolver myself.
When he drew his drew NINE, and we stood there
him says / Mart. what's the use of shooting each
other. Let's put our pistols away and nave ave.
square set-to" Then he put his revolver behind ,l
the bar, and gave mine to my friend. (The other
two had left.) Then we pitched and tusseled and
wrested, without doing much hurt, ana at last my
friend LETT Then Mart Commeriord, seeing my re-
volver was gone, rushed behind the counter and
took his and came back again and fired at me.
her ,e ponng To- his left rreast between The
shoulders and the nipple). and took pitcher and
slung 1t at him. Thea he tired again. and lelt the
same sting in my right breast. l took another
pitcher aud fired at him. He fired three times more,
and each ball entered my left hand. and at each shot
took glass aud let Hun have II. Then he fired
twice more and did not catch me, and walked out
OF the store, and, seeing crowd collected, walked
washed my hands. Then went back again and
saw crowd at me door, and policeman asked me
what was the matter tod MN no.nns was ss, dhe
must be shot. He then went In and arrested
Commerford and was brought here. was very
much excited when they were trying 10 ma the
balls and insisted walking home being still half
drunk. But This morning when l woke up felt
very weak and came up here.
REPoRrER-Did you walk againS
BYRNEs-On, yes Iwalked up here and walked
up stairs alone to this bed.
RECONCILIATION do you feel nOw9
BYRNEs-We, ! feel a pain when 1 move, but
otherwise am pretty comfortable.
REPoRTER-Do you think there Ii dangerf
BYRNES-I don't know.
REP RTER-What do the doctors say?
BYRNEs-I didn't ask them what they thought.
REPoRTER-DO you feel any internal pam or have
any internal hemorrhage9
,BYRNEs-.No, l guess III get over 1t. If do
' REronTzaMHave you made any complaint against
CommerfOrd?
BYRHEs-No. I don't want the law to bother with
RrponTER-This niorning he was taken to Essex
Market Police Court and held to await the result Of
| your injuries.
BYRNEs-Thats all right; but II recover shau't
| want him hell. I'll no d him myself
Byrnes here turned over and seemed to feel rather
tired OF being "interviewed." At this moment the
man, though In pain looked a determined villain,
| and not such man as an elderly gentleman would
| care to meet on lonely road at midnight. There
seemed every instinct Of the tiger in him and at he
same time the reckless bravery OF the lion His feet
protruded over the foot OF the bed and they looked
Somewhat thin. He was all bone and muscle. He
has dark auburn nair and reddish mustache and
eyes that are fierce In their Intensity. In fact. he