The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-07-21
LOVE AND LIQUOR.
The Stabbing ARRAY in ClarksOn Street
on Saturday Night.
CAUSE OF THE QUARREL.
Battering Down Door and Breaking In
Upon a Fight for Life.
SCENE OF THE sCUFFLE.

John Lunney Of No. GA Clarkson street, was
stabbed on saturday night by Peter McKenna, at
the front door OF his residence. Both were some
what under the influence OF liquor and the using
OF the knife was the result OF a previous
quarrel. They had spent the evening together and
INDUCED pretty freely during the time. Mrs. Lun-
ncy. who is native OF the same town Ia Ireland
as McKenna, wanted to 90 to Clinton Market, az
the foot OF Spring street. and during the early part
OF the evening she suggested to one OF the men to
accompany her. McKenna who boarded with the
Lunneys,
CALAMITY OFFERED HIS SERVICES,
and they were accepted. Lunney. however,
thought he had better make one OF the party, as
his wife carried considerable avolrdupois and the
navigating OF ner through the crowds might prove
too much for McKenna's muscle The party started
from Clarkson street IN very good humor and con-
tinucd rejoicing on their way as far as Hudson
street. At that point they refreshed their
tagging spirits with some stirring liquid,
and then, in the flush Of a renewed buoyancy
OF spirits, they headed for the market. Before en-
tering the portals Of that kingdom OF the cooks
they once more 'hquored up" and then the female
head OF the Lunney establishment set herself Sc
rously to business In pursuing her purchases this
MAGNIFICENTLY PROPORTIoNED MATRoN
OF the boardels than that Of her liege lord in the
matter OF meats that the latter growled
audibly several times as they proceeded through
the market. Once or twice Lunney suggested that
he felt weakness for little things he saw, but his
good lady desired him to ''shut up'-they were
not good Tor him. The boarder confirmed her
Judgment, and the representative of all the
Lunneys had to content himself with looking gum
and swallowing the pill, though 1t was not sugar.
coated Sundays supplies having been obtained,
Mr.. and Mrs. Lunney and the boarder bent their
steps homeward. To In some degree smooth the
RULED feathers OF the old man the boarder pro-
posed drink. Lunney consented, for, though out
OF sorts. he was thirsty. One dram to man IN his
state OF mind was nothing, and the b0arder was
sharp enough to see 1t. A second, third, fourth
drink were proposed and discussed before the hard
lines on the face OF the 'ongshoreman Quincy is
'longshoreman) began to relax, but they had
reached half dozen before the landlord arrived at
that point OF admiration and good nature that
prompted him to slap his boarder on the back and
pronounce him "a glorious fellow" The bOdrder
and Mrs. Lunney did the treating. Through
the politeness or the boarder. VINO carried
any other burden than the whiskey, but ne strug-
ged maniuy with tnat until he got into his house.
Then he insisted on
PARTING GLASS OF BEER
before retiring .S one Of the chi was De;
e 1U s na' an 5
manner changed. The Ill humOr and dissatisiac-
ton McKenna had SO adroitiy put to flight returned
gan to abuse his wife. The boarder interfered
and Lunney became enragsd: He insisted that
%aS a10 take nne him Sas rom PREMISES
Mrs. Lunney then intcrpOsed and threw oil on the
troubled waters by requesting the boarder to leave
and assuring her husband he would comply with
ne as
hepmate. He made SUCH fearful noise that the
bOaraer heard all that was going on from the
him TO stand quietly by and hear lady SO villa
nously abused: he tried to- get back into
the door on the inside This so enraged the boarer
that he took an immense stone and battered away
at the door. He had almost broken it from the
fastenings when Lunney, seeing that he would force
an entrance, went down and opened it. Some few
t Eey d @s Me VINO saw tie aar SAYS
M'KENNA PULLED OUT SHORT KNIFE
and plunged 1t three times into the landlords
body. Lunney threw his arms into the air and
fell back upon the staircase McKenna dashed up
the street and then turned into the house
he told them he had ripped up old Lunney' bowels.
The noise made by the breaking in OF the door and
no one interfered with the nyng assassin. One
or two OF the men helped Mrs. Lnnney to carry her
Of a
was seated at the desk, having just sent the men
out on duty for the night when an officer burst
into the station house with intelligence that
murder had been committed He took sergeant
and detective with him and started for the house.
Finding McKenna had left the place, and fearing he
ESCAPE FROM THE NEIGHBoRHooD,
the Captain went In pursuit OF him, and was ortu-
nate enough to catch him just Issuing from liquor
saloon in Leroy street. AS soon as he was certain
OF the mans identity Captain Garland arrested
him, took him to GARRISON street, where the
wounded man was lying, and confronted them.
Ills this the man who stabbed your" asked the
Yes" said Lunney, "that is he"
"Do you think your life is in danger'''
Here Mrs. Lunney broke in with
"You know very well It is not Why don't you
KIND. You know he would not. He has been your
best friend"
She continued in this strain for some time, until
Captain Garland was compelled to stop her. She was
not long silent. The moment the order was given
to conduct the prisoner to the station house she
burst out anew and for some minutes the officers
feared she would make an attack upon them.
Captain Garland brought up the rear Of the party,
who had charge OF McKenna, to prevent Mrs.
Lunney from laying violent hands upon his men.
When the prisoner was safely lodged In the station
began a search for the weapon with which the deed
was committed They found
HUGE CARVING KNIFE.
but they do not think that Is the one McKenna
used. The oldest daughter OF Lunney, a little girl
about twelve years Of age told the police on sat
and McKenna was the man VINO did 1t. She tried
yesterday to modify this story as her mother had
threatened to cut her head oil II she told anything
about 1t. The child seemed anxious to sustain her
father, but she has a most painful dread Of
icT IuotHeT Vue IlluE Iiidt win TcduIy lOr
tile length OF time That elapsed before the police
got to the scene Is the loneliness OF the locality.
The house IL the last In tile street and is sur
rounded by piles OF timber A better place to
commit murder could scarcely be selected II the
man had gone about 1t with the most logged de-
termination.
FORMER FIGHT
Not long ago row occurred between these
same people, and Mckenna now carries q wound
on one OF his hands as trophy OF the battle. On
that occasion Lunney, 1t alleged, was the ag-
and McKenna were able to Overpower and deprive
him OF the weapon before any serious damage was
done. From all that could be CLEANED OF the par
ties in the neighborhood, they have lived for long
time unhappiiy the large attractions of Mrs
Lunney seeming to be the continual casus belli.
Ante-NIortem Statement.
Captain Garland yesterday morning informed
Mr.. John T. Toal, clerk to the Board of Coroners