The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-05-27
A ROWDIEy FIGHT.
The Midnight Shooting in
Mercer Street.
Two Gentlemen Attacked by Gang OF Houshs"
Arrest Of tho Man Who Fired the shots-Ths
Finding and Identihcation'of tho Pistol
Manifestation Of Commendable Detec-
tive Skill by Captain Byrnes.

L
At about a quarter to twelve O'Clock on Saturday
night shooting array occurred In Mercer street,
between Clinton and Waverley places that resulted
In the wounding of Theodore Gardiner, eighteen
years OF age, broker, residing at Inwood, West
chester county; George Anderson, twenty
three years OF age, bartender, OF "a
Second street, and william Devne. 1t ap-
pears from information gathered by Captain
Byrnes that at about eleven O'Clock William Gould,
william Deyine, George Anderson, William
II. Thomas, Era P. Treadwell and Alfred p. Evans
had left house in the neighborhood Of where the
shooting took place, and were almost immediateiy
followed by Theodore Gardiner and Paul Low, SON
Of Ex-Governor Low, Of Maryland, Of 4a7 CaremoAt
avenue, Brooklyn. These two latter Gentlemen
were in the same house as the Others but were nos
in their society On leaving the house Gardiner and
Low crossed to the opposite side of the street rom
where the other parties were, and the latter con-
tinued on walking towards Sixth avenue. they
had gone but a short distance when Andersen no
ticng that Gardiner and Low stopped severaA
times, spoke to them, asking what they meant ~
80 much delay. This brought reJoinder nom Low,
to the effect that he should mind his own business.
Anderson immediately crossed to the otnef
side and struck Gardiner. Low took up
the quarrel, and knocked Anderson down. inc
rest of the men then .-.ss ,sz.'
RUSHED GARDINER ~
and Low, and after q short scutle pistol wa4
pulled and six shots fired in rapid succession The
first shot fired hit Gardiner in the hip, the ball
passing into the abdomen, and the physicians
think wounding HIM fatally Az soon as he fell
Gould commenced to kick him In the head;
and Thomas snatched a stick from some one an0
was beating him about the head when he was
stopped by some citizens who attracted to the
place by the shooting The second or third ball hit
Devine in the left leg, only causing slight wound
Becoming alarmed at the danger surrounding him,
Anderson turned towards the railing OF the
house beside them, but stray ball caught
number OF gentlemen who heard the row on Broad
way ran down Eighth street to
WHERE THE DIFFICULTY WAS,
and met three men running In the direction they
were gong from. 1t was for some time supposed
these parties had something to do with the affair but
Captain Byrnes has since discovered they were only
some citizens who were passing tine place and be-
came alarmed at the shooting. When Devine was
hit his friends took him up and carried him
diner yns on Tie sie&aRs " Ts nes ii tha Ssfoi
firing attracted the attention of the patrolman ON
Christie and ROundsman Day arrived on the spot
Just in time to see Devine being carried into Elk
Hail. They arrested all the parties and took them,
with the wounded men, to the station house in Mer
Ger street. Before the police arrived Thomas en-
deavored to induce one OF the others TO change
hats and coats with him, but the men refused, and
Thomas was arrested Just as he stood. When the
men were brought to the station house Sergeant
Christie searched them, but could only nnd
sINGLE-BARRELLED PISTOL
among them, and that was loaded. DR.. Steele ex-
amined the wounds Of the men and ordered Gardi-
Anderson was detained at the station house where
he stil remains. When questioned by the Sergeant
said he had been drinking in Elk Hall
with an Individual known as "Cap," but Captain
such was not the case Several OF these men, he
told Captain Byrnes, had run into Elk Hall after the
shooting, and Boosting OF the great things they
had done, but on the arrival OF Sergeant Christie
to arrest them there was instant silence. At six
O'Clock Yesterday morning an tne prisoners a aS Mere
should point out the man who shot him. One by
one the prisoners were brought to the bedside Of
| the wounded man by Captain Byrnes, but
HE FAILED TO RECOGNIZE
any Of them until Thomas was confronted with HIM
OF the countenance before him, which Thomas
made every effort to conceal Gardiner said he felt
shooting Thomas was second time I brought be-
fore him TO make more sure Of the Identification,
and this time he seemed as II determined to make
but the attempt Ruthless one, for, after look
ing for moment with his countenance firmly set
the steady gaze OF recognition from the
bed. This business concluded, the mon were taken
they viii remain until
THE RESULT OF THE INJURIES
o. the wounded men IS satisfactorily ascertaned.
residence OF Mr.. Low, IN Brooklyn, to find out
where his son was, but that gentleman
back to the station house, the captain during q
patrol of his precinct heard two men talking about
the shooting, and stopping for moment to listen
had Low concealed in house in West
street. Captain Byrnes signalled to q police
man In plain Clothes who answered the
follow the man wherever he went. He then
got another officer, and detailed him to watch the
first, In case the man being followed should find
out the officer was behind him, and they could
change places to avoid a mishap. The man went
to West street, followed by the officers at dis
lance. There he joined young Low and turned
back in the direction OF Broadway. When they got
to the corner OF Blocker street aud Mercer,
THE OFFICER STEPPED UP,
arrested Low and took him to the station house.
He acknowledged to Captain Byrnes having fired
me into the middle OF the street and attempted to
rob me. Another OF them knocked my friend
down, and 2 third was kicking him. This 90
shot In it, When asked where the pistol was, he
said he did not know He had flung IL away as he
from the scene OF the fight. and mad not seen 1t
since: This young man was arrested about two
months ago for firing at negro, and was then
held to bail In the sum OF 5000 to keep
the peace. The pistol was at that time taken from
him ut the station house, but he called there six
weeks ago and claimed 1t. The weapon was re-
turned to him, and it turned out to be the with
which he did the shooting on Saturday night. Cap
tain Byrnes then sent an Ofllcer to look for the
young man who had picked mp the pistol
In the street, and last evening Charles Perry ana
George Kettles were brought to the station house
with the pistol In their passion. They stated to the
police they had found 1t In the street. not far from
where the shooting took place. Warden Brennan
has place. Gardiner and Devine In separate
wards In Bellevue Hospital, and given them
beds with screens to keep the noise Of the other
inmates from them, and 1t Is expected the physi-
clans will be able to find the location OF the ball In
pears, received two OF the bullets fired by his
friend.