Worcester daily spy., 1872-07-12

DESPERATE FIGHT IN THE STATE PRIsoN.-
The stringent regulations enforced at the state
prison and the unceasing vigilance of the warden
and his assistants were put to a severe test We'd
neSday morning in the suppression of II bloody
encounter between two cOnvictS, which doubt
less would have been attended with far more de.
plorable results had not Gen. ChamCerin been
present when the conflict took place.
Shortly after breakfast two workmen, named
james tlaherty and John Leary, emploved in
the large upper shoe shop, quarreled abont the
proportion OF work allotted to them, the former
eontendlng that theatter was favored more than
he. The officer succeeded in pacifying the ieal-
ousy OF Flaherty, and it was decided TO LET the
matter rest until the contractor, Mr.. Blanchard,
came round. Both men appeared satisfied and
friendly disposed toward each other. Retrospec-
non only served 10 rciindle the spark
Of jealousy in Flaherty's breast and at
halt-past eight O'Clock, when the warden.
General Chambern, commenced his daily visits
to the prisoners, the quarrel was renewed.
When the warden entered the shoe shop talking
WIN the olhcer IN charge, he heard an eXclama-
tion or cry of rage, aud looking up saw Leary
put his hand up to his left arm and blood spurt
out between his fingers. Leary, seeing the war
den, came toward him apparently for protec-
tion, but he suddenly wheeled round, drew a
knile, and made for Flaherty. The warden
called to him to stop and drop the knife bnt
he did not notice the commando then the war.
den picked up heavy cane and struck him
over the head. The blow somewhat staggered
Leary, but Immediately recovering he madesfor
the general. As he advanced he was greeted
with second blow from the cane.
He then turned and stabbed Flahertv
under the left arm and in the left hin
The latter dropped his knife and picked nm n
club, but Leary ran down stairs into the lower
shop. Flaherty and several other conyicis fol-
lowed, with the warden close at their heels
They rushed over the benches and general
tight appeared imminent. General Chamberln
was not on this occasion armed, and the officer
in charge of the lower shop, Mr. Fuller, while
drawing his revolver to hand to the former. met
with an accident. The weapon caught ia his
coat tail, and on reaching round his left hand
to extricate it the pistol went of, injurinp the
hand 50 severely that it is feared he will not he
able to use 1t for some time. Armed with this
revolver the General advanced further into the
shop. Leary was at this time mounted ON
bench with a bar OF iron i'm his
hand and Flaherty had picked up nm.
other knife and was rushing at his
antagonist. The warden stepped between the
colhDaiahts, ana leyelng his pistol AT Flaherty,
ordered him TO drop the knife He refused, b1t
the other convicts having gathered in the rear
OF the warden, and each having a knife ready.
he concluded II was best not TO shoot, aud rails.
ing The cane, stretched Flaherty ON the floor, in.
sensible. The latter was covered with blood
uuh hslN Naliltu W INC nbdpllul WDtiC Dr. Dear
born dressed his wounds. Upon returning TO
the scene tie warden found that Leary had re.
turned to the upper shop, but had not resumed
work He was wounded in the left arm by
flnherty, who commenced the fight and quietly
accompanied the warden TO the hospital, and
alter receiving proper attention was locked up
in the Clover arch.
L'ary is very powerful man, 80 years old,
six feet high, and has a frame Of iron. He was
brought to the prison In August, 1860. TO serve
out a sentence of Eve years for burglary. Fla
hcfty is small man, when compared with
l.eary. lie was brought there March, 1869, aud
Is serving out similar sentence. Both men
were entitled TO have Il year taken fiom their
tefn o. imprisonment, but this and other quar-
Tels WIN prevent the clemency Of the state being
extended 10 them. Rlahcrty's wounds were
tnougut dahgerous, but he passed good night
and now Is dong wol,. He told the warden
tlat u he had not stunned him he would have
Killed Leary. The wound under Flaherty's left
arm IS The worst, aud would have been fatal, but