New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-08-19
A DARKROOM TRAGEDY.
MAN KICKED TO DEATH BY A DRUNKAl

A MAN KICKED TO DEATH BY A DRUNKARD.
A causeless quarrel and o moments fierce
struggle between two men in liquor saloon on Wash
ingtonst yesterday, suddenly transformed an ordinary
barroom fight into tragcal homicide through the vim
dicveness OF the stronger man, who, after overpower
ing his opponent, savagely kicked him on the body
causing almost death. The liquor saloon
Of Daniel Sullivan at No 80 Westinghouse, entered
By several drunken young men, at 10 a. m yesterday
who had apparently been wandering from barroom to
another during the previous night After each had drunk
glass of liquor, all but left the saloon This man
John Lyons age 49, OF Washington and Carlisests sat
down upon a barrel and went to Sleep few moments
passed. and then the door Of the liquor saloon opened
and John Mclaughlin, age %, of No. Westinghouse,
came in from the street and asked for liquor IL
given him, and he then turned and looked around the
Seeing Lyons the newcomer threw his cap into
the sleeping mans face with such force that he was
| awakened. Lyons asked in an angry who had
thrown the him. and the other replied that he had
done so because he wanted'to fight. Then walking to
where Lyons was citing Mclaughlin pushed him of the
barrel The other apparently wished to avoid quar-
REL and did not resent this act for he walked TO the
other end Of the room, and taking glass from the
counter filed IL with water; but he was drinking,
Mclaughlin up behind him and pushed him vio-
lenty against the counter Lyons faced about quickly
AM enraged by these persistent attacks ercey struck
him in the face. Mclaughlin staggered and fell with
heavy thud on the floor. As he lay thus defenseess
Lyons kicked him the left side OF she
head. Mclaughlin lifted his arms TO defend
his face but in yain for his assalan again kicked him
this time directly the left McLaughlins arms
fell upon his receiving this last injury and the specta-
tors of the ARRAY that he had become insensible.
The helpless man was again kicked by Lyons-ths time
in the abeomen-and the murderer then fed from the
saloon The barkeeper out from behind the counter
and lifted Mclaughlin upon a chair and Them percev-
ing his pallor told boy to fetch policeman instantly
to the saloon. Patrolman Ryan Of the Twenyseyenth
Precinct was soon the saloon but not until McLangh
lin had died in the barkeepers arms. The body was
then taken TO the Liberty-st. Station-house.
Capt Lowery at once officers in every direc-
ton to arrest Lyons but for hours the search was
unsuccessful Late in the afternoon Capt LoWery IN
company with the bartender OF the liquor saloon made
tour through the lower part Of the city, In crowd OF
boatmen at Rector and Washington-sts Lyons was at
last identified by the bartender and was arrested Dy
Capt. Lowery. The prisoner on being questioned al
mitted having struck the deceased but denied having
kicked him. At the moment Of his arrest, however, he
was grossly intoxicated Coroner Keenan, was asked to
hold an inquest. Deputy Coroner Marsh will examine
the body to-day and determine tho cause OF death
Neither the assaiant nor his victim was married