Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-08-13
LAST NIGHTS TRAGEDY.
The Shooting Of ME-. 3. VI. Cheesm an
by "Barney'' Wood.
CRITICAL CONDITION OF THE WOUNDED MAN
THE DESPERATE WOOD TRIES TO KILL TaE
OFFICERS WHO CONE TO ARREST HIN.

CRITICAL CONDITION OF THE WOUNDED NAN
THE DESPERATE WOOD TRIES TO KILL TRE
OFFICERS WHO CONE TO ARREST HIN.
Last night tragedy was enacted at the foot
OF 10th street which will in all probability add
another TO the long list of homicides in this Dis
ulct the past year. 1t seems that the indie
pendent Ice Company, established eome two
years since, recently failed and the property of
the concern in this city passed into the hands of
S Messrs. james L. and 5. MtCheeseman, two
Drothers, who have been engaged a. ice packers
on the kennebec river, Maine, for years past.
These gentlemen have recently come to this city
TO enter into arrangements with the defunct
company and assume control OF the BUSH
ness, and during the negotiations they have
been staying at the Metropolitan Hotel.
About O'Clock last night, after Mr.. James l..
day, he sent Richard Hammond, a colored man
employed at the ice Office on PENNSYLVANIA ay-
wharf above named TO have his horse put in the
stable there. On arriving there Hammond was
roughly accosted by the stable keeper, Barney
Wood who demanded what he wanted. When
told bis Grand, Wood retOrted gTuffiy, s'ITell
Sir. Cheeseman to go to HI with his horse and
buggy 1 m not going TO get up; now take your
sell of, or by Cd III make daylight shine
through you" Hammond, who knew
WOODS DESPERATE CHARACTER
100 vel TO party with him, returned at once to
the Metropolitan hotel and reported the facts to
MI. Cheeseman. The two brothers Cheeseman
Jumped into the buggy, and Hammond drove
them back TO the stables at the wharf when they
called out TO Barney for an EXPLANATION of his
conduct Wood, muttering some words which
we're rot quite understood, az orce discharged n
carbine loaded with buckshCt, all of which en-
tered the groin and right thigh Of Mr. S. III
Cheeseman, who exclaimed,
"I'm shot,' and fell 70 the ground Barney
turned away into the stable and Mr.. James l..
Cheeseman, aided by Hammond, lifted his bro
Their up and placed him in the buggy as tenderly
as possible, when he swooned away and was
driven back TO the hotel and DIR. Buckley sent
for, who did all IN his power to relieve the SUIT
ferer. After the facts became known at police
headquarters, Detectives CiarvOe, McDeyitt
and MeElfresh, started for the first precinct
statiOn-h house, and in company with Lieutenant
GessiOrd proceeded to Woods house. near the
scene of the tragedy. Lieut.. Gessford preceded
the detectives ON approaching the house. Mrs.
Wood, who was looking out of an upper window.
demanded who was approaching, and was in
formed that it was Gessford, when she said,
"Oh, am glad it's you,"
BARNEY IS DRUNK,
and don't know what has happened. wish
you would take him away" Barney, in the
meantime called out from within the stable,
"Whos there?" Gessford replied, when Bar
ney said he must challenge all who passed that
way. The officer answered that IL was all right,
but asked Barney TO step ont as he had some
thing TO say to him. The words were no sooner
out OF his mouth than the officer heard a click,
as OF
THE COOKING OF GUN,
and said: "Barney, don't shoot" and lodged,
when charge of buckshot passed over his head.
SECURED WOOD,
who offered no resistance, finding himself over
powered. He is a powerful man, about six feet
tail, and very muscular. He came to this city
during the war, and formerly lived in a shanty
in Purdy's court, where he was frequently in
limbo fron his bad temper. Here his wife kept
grocery and GROCERY, and afterwards he re.
moved to 9Th street, near the steamboat wharf,
where they opened a shop, and after the organi-
zation OF the Independent Ice Company, Wood
got employment there and has beenlemployed as
VI w nwhS rlt htc- IT,
time keeping shop on the east side of Water
street. Quarrels between Mrs. Wood and Bar
ney have been Of very frequent occurrence
wood has borne q bad name ever since he has
been living in this city. He was locked up last
night, and this morning Judge Smell committed
him to jail to await the result Of the wounds on
The sufferer was attended by his friends and
DR.. Bulky all night, and seems to be gradually
sinking this afternoon.
Soon after DR.. Bulkley arrived last night he
called IN Dr. y. L. Young as consulting physi-
clan, ard they have been in constant attendance
alternately ever since. They both express
HorELEssNEss OF MRCHEEsENAN'sC CONDITION,
and fears that he cannot recover. The shot is
believed to have perforated the bladder and in
testines. No attempt has been made to extract
them, as II would necessarily hasten death. Mr..
cheeseman's brother is in attendance constantly
and seems In great distress On account of the
dangerous state of his brother. The nurses are
unremltting in their duties, and everything that
IL possible is being done to give comfort to the
sufferer. The brothers are natives of Trenton.
New Jersey, and have been engaged in the ice
business for a long time.
The wife of the unfortunate man has been
telegTaphed for at their residence in Middle
town, Orange county, New York and is expect
ed to arrive here this evening with their chill
dTen, several in number.
MI. ). NJ. Cheeseman is the younger of the
trothers, and about forty years OF age, and both
sTe men of substance and character. The elder
brother says there is not a man in America who
understands the ice business better than his
brother.
At O'Clock p. m. the physicians thought there
was some reaction in his condition, but think ii
OF little importance, as from the nature of the
wounds il will he
MIRACLE IF HR RECEIVERS.
lie lies apparently unconscious, breathing hea-
yliy, and occasionally a low groan escapes him.
Snmulants are given him occasionally, but the
physicians fear Inflammation will soon set in.
LdteT.-At3 O'Clock p. m. the symptoms of the
wounded man were more unfayorable, and his
physicians fear that he will not live longer than
sunset. The blood seems to be settling in the
region Of the wound, and the pulse is very low.
Heremains in an unconscious state with occa-
siOnaily an incoherent utteraIce, and is evident
ly sinking rapidly.
After the pelice court adjourned, Wood was
handcuted In the cell and led ont, showing no
symptoms of regret at the act he had committed.
lie was taken to Jail by Bailiff Gates.
The Course of True Love. dc.