The New York herald., 1873-07-17
A FIGHT FOR LIFE.
A Police Officer Almost Killed by
a Gang Of Rowdies.
Possibly Fatal Injuries-0ns Of the Assailants
Terribly Lacerated Clubs and . Revolver
Used and Two of the Rufians Ar
resed-A Plucky Defence

last evening there was a disturbance in lager
beer saloon, 81 Grand street. Oficer Patrick F.
By nes of the Eighth precinct, was patr0lling Qear
the place and came to the conc nsiOn that his gef
vices might be needed. Entering the place, he
found q person named Patrick OcnnOr o laborer
having all the disturbance to himself. The ofrcer
proce ded to arrest him, but C0nn0r did not see
IN that light, and made such good show Of resist
ance mat Byrnes found It necessary to
draw HIS club. While holding It elevated
NJ the air, about to administer gentle reDroJ 10
COnn0r, man named John Foley came nm be.
hind him and suddenly wrested the Clue from
the oficer's grasp, at the same xme exclaiming,
"Come on boys; let's nnish tbasd-d son OF a
b-h." lhis was the signal <of q general onslaught
upon the officer. Folay, Connor and two others
all pitched in. dhncer Byrnes, without his
ciuo, was soon- overcome by the Iour rutfisns,
VINO mansscGto get HIM on the moor. In the most
ousineSs-l.k Ike manner then two proceeded to jump
On his oody, while Foley having the club, battered
him on tine arm, and Connor, having nothing better
to do, contented himself with de ivering OF
blows upon the oficer's head. No lnterlered to
languas was proving correct, and that
together hey were ''hnAshing him" very
neatly. TIE repeated bows with the club
parayzed Byrnes ight arm, causing the most
excruciatng pam. he stiil endeavOred, however,
to Iree nmse: Il0m his Cowardiy assalants, but
they Kept him down spite OF al he cOald do. At
In getting On his ieet, and ut the same moment
whl- ked his revolver out OF has back pocket with
his left hand which w&s still uninjured. Then,
covered with blood. he made Dash at the
have not been ascertalned) seeing the
beat precipitate retreat and disapi ieared
tarougn the front door. Byrnes now had only two
s s vent mt for Foley nss and 6oSsns the
terrific CLOVIS upon his forehead with tine butt-end
OF lie revolver, causing lour distinct wounds, not
one o. which Is less than al inch and half
osen TO the bone. Blinded with his
own blood. Foley Only struck out wildly and was
SOON put hOrs de combat by the lrate Byrnes, VINO
finally wrested his club back and used ~ to some
advantag. upon Connoi, who mad been endeavorng
To tea e him since tie Otner two had disappeared.
BSrnes now had 1t entirely his own wa and Foley
and COnnOr surrendered At discretion. By nes
tie station house, amid the dersive Jeers OF the
bystanders who had been witnesses to the piucky
fsht the officers part. 1t was trlumpnal
march from Lrand street to Prince street
two prisoners without any one having at
tempted rescue. When the sergeants desk
was reached Byrnes was near laintin1
from PAIN and loss OF blood. DR.. Clark was called
severe The right arm 10 paralyzei, there are
some severe scalp Wounds; but,abOve all, there are
lnternai injuries whicn. the doctor saws may turn
was therefore ordered immediately home Foley's
nesn. it seems to have been torn away by the
having his ounds dressed BY the doctor. ConnOr
was only slightly injured.
Ofncer P.trlck r. Byrnes is young man, only
Ave ieet seven inches III height, whiie his assall
joinsd the iOrce. The Officer and superiors were
loud In their CONNIE ndations Of his bravery.