Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-05-20
ANOTHER MURDEROUs ARRAY.
Three Men Shot at q Fancy Balloons
MortaIIy Wounded.
COhflcIlsq Statements as to the Origin and
Progress Of the Affair.

The spring fights seem 20 have opened
in real earnest, and the peace and quiet
enioved by our city for some months past
have been rudely broken n by several
murderous ARRAYS within the past day or
two.
The last affair, in which three men we're
shot-one MORALLY, one very seriously,
and one slightly wounded, occurred yes
terdav morning about half past W
O'Clock, at the pleasure resort, just below
Fort Pickering, and known as French
Gardens. Owing to the vast number of
rumors in circulation as to the origin OF
the fight, and from the almost impOssi-
biIity Of obtaining accurate and correct
information in regard to it, we only ap-
pend the outline of the statements as
given TO us by eye-witnesses. The ccncur-
rent testimony of several, male and fe-
male, whom we questioned, is to the fol-
lowing effect:
Mr.. Jerry Riordan. for several years a
head barkeeper foE Harry Weatherbee,
was DANCING with Miss Nettie White, in a
cotillion set. Mr.. Sam Finlay, clerk of
the Worsham House, and Mr.. Sell How
ell, were standing by, and Riordan either
saw or fancied he saw Finlay do some
thing which he tOok for an insult to his
partner. The action was repeated a few
moments afterward, whereupOn Riordan
struck Mr.. Finlay with his hst in the
mouth. A rough and tumble fight then
commenced, in which Mr.. F1nlay threw
Jerry down on the floor. Two men,
friendly to both parties, rushed forward
to separate the combatants and one of them
seizing Finlay BY the o collar lifted
him off Riordan. 1t was at this moment,
and amid the confusion attendant upon
the fracas that the shooting commenced,
and out of eight persons who saw the
whole affair, with whom we have con-
yersed. we could scarcely get any two
stories to agree exactly as TO how it was
done. Two men and three women state
that Mr.. Howell drew his pistol and fired
first. shooting Mr.. RiOrdan, who was
still living on the floor, through
the body. They further state that Howell
continued firing of his pistol, apparently
at random. One other party got out a
pistol and fired into the crowd, also ap-
parently shooting at no particular person.
Riordan, on feeling himself wounded,
pulled out a deringer and fired once at
his a~ssailant, with NO effect, however.
As to the total number of shots fired,
there is also q difference of statements,
some declaring hat there were as high as
nine or ten, and others being equally posi-
tive that there were but six. Be this as it
may, the whole fusillade did not occupy
over a half minute, and on summing up,
! the were AOuAA W 10 ~ AoAACNSs
jerry Riordan, shot through the abdO-
men. and declared mOrtally wounded.
Joe Moore, an employee at the Gardens,
shot through the thigh, wound declared
very serious.
Albert Behrs, newsdealer, shot through
the calf of the right leg, painfully, but
not seriously hurt.
The rooms were emptied of their occu-
pants in far less time than it takes us to
recount it, and the only marvel Is, that IN
the rush so few were hurt.
The friends of Mr.. Riordan put him IN
a hack and brought him to his rooms
in the city, where he was promptly at
tended to by DIR. Lynch. The doctor, on
glancing at the wound, saw that it was
impossible to probe it, and beyond apply
ing something to soothe the sufferer, did
nothing for him.
THE OTHER SIDE.
About Zine O'Clock Mr.. Howell appeared
at the First District police station and
delivered himself up, stating that be had
been engaged in a shooting ARRAY al
French Gardens. The Chief of Police
sent him under charge of a Sergeant &c
report TO Sheriff Wright. There being nc
complaint lodged against him there, be
was released lin what manner or by what
authority we could not learn, on his pa
role not to leave the city. A reporter o.
this paper met him about eleven o'clock,
and he made a statement to the following
effect:
The first he knew of the affair was see
lug his friend Finlay and Riordan en-
gagged in a fight, RiOrdan having struck
Finlav in the mouth. Several parties
himself among them, Immediately
rushed up to separate the com
batants, and while trying to do SC
Riordan cursed him, and drawing a der
niger fired at him. Seeing RiOrdan " &C
for another pistol, he (HOwell) drew his
own pistol in self-defense, and shot him
He fired two more shots, but does no
think that he hit anybody e~lse-thOugh
one man, whom he does not know, put {
six-shOoter up to his face n snapped {
cap. Mr.. Howell expresses great regret
at the affair, but declares he acted
altogether in self-defense.
Later in the day, a warrant was ISSUED
by Squire Miller for Howell, and three
O'Clock set as the hour for his examina'
ton.
At this hour Mr.. Howell was on hand
with his attorneys, Messrs. Van Az An
derson and Harry Lee. A certificate was
produced from DR.. Lynch, who stated tina
It would be impossible to say for certain
within two or three days, that DR.. Rior
dan would die. After a short argument
Squire Miller admitted Mr.. Howell L
bail in the sum of $1,000 to appear from
day to day.
A conversation with other parties still
further befogs the affair. Mr.. Finlay,
gentleman Of undOubted veracity, statet
positively that he was set upon by SOM
three or four persOns-among them RiOr
dan, who drew a pistol and was about I,
use it, when Howell demonstrated will
him. Riordan nevertheless fired, anC
then land not until them, did Howell usi
his weapon. We are thus particular II
giving all sides of the affair in order no
to prejudice the case, which must conn
up on its merits in a day or tive, as mos
competent surgical authority declares
that RiOrdan's life hangs or bare posi-
bility.