The New York herald., 1873-12-18
ATTEMPTED MURDER OF A JOURNALIST.
The Manager OF the Occidental Hotel,
Sam Francisco, Held for Assault with
Intent to Murder.

The Manager OF the Occidental Hotel,
San Francisco, Held for Assault with
Intent to Murder.
From the San Francisco Post Dee. 1O.l
There was quite a large attendance at the Police
Court yesterday afternoon, who had gathered for
the express purpose OF listening to the case of j.
Mortimer Murphy, an Oregon journalist and littera-
teur, who had slight misunderstanding last week
with Philip McSnane, the manager OF the Occi.
dental Hotel, about little difference OF So,
the conclusion OF which was a pistol bullet
in close proximity to Murphy's lett ear as he
passed through the spacious vestibue with his
back to the field. 1t was to definitely ascertain
who 1t was fired the shot that induced the oregon
journalist to have McShane arrested on charge
OF assault with intent to kill The first witness
called was John Mortimer Murphy, rather portly.
gentleman, of dlgni6ed carriage over whose locks
the storms OF thirty winters have passed. This
was the personnel OF the gentleman who greeted
the assemblage OF statesmen that daily throng the
Mr.. Murphy stated that on Tuesday last he came
to this city from Oregon on journalistic business,
and fell IN with few friends He stopped at the
his baggage down stairs, asked the amount OF his
bill, and was told 1t was So. Not finding the money
In his pocket he went to his valise and opened IT,
but it was the wrong one. He then said that he
would step across the way and bring the money.
AT that instant Mr.. Mcshane came In with his uni-
during which he was poked several times In the
eye with the umbrella and punched on the nose.
pistol shot behind him. He did not know who 1t
was fired.
w. +. Halsey, Nathan Roit, J. N. Todd, E. s. Gau-
tier testified that the shot was fired by Mcshane,
but whether intentional or not they could lot
state
I. II. Goodman, General Passenger and Ticket
Agent OF the Central Pacific Railroad, the
whole transaction, and supstantated Mnrphys
evidence as to the dificuty; he further said that
McShanes hand was on line with his lace when
he fired the shot, and that the pistol was appar-
emily aimed at Murphy.
The prosecution being exhausted, the Court post
poned the lurther hearing till to-day
The defence placed Mr.. Smith, the clerk, on the
stand who testified about tine demands OF Mr.
Murphy for money AT the time McShane struck
Murphy with the umbrella the later held McShane's
right wrist; he did not the pistol hred; Murphy
had attempted TO carry OF his baggage without
settling the bill
Messrs. Kepston and Mcmahon were examined
on different points, but nothing new was elected.
Mr.. Murphy being recalled said that after the
assault he armed himself with a revolver and
bowie knife, returned to the hotel and paid his
bill.
MIR. McShanc, the defendant testified TO his
attention being attracted by the statement OF Mr..
Smith, who told him Murphy tried to get away
without paying He said Murphy grasped him
by the wrists and struck him with the umbrella,
and when he attempted to wrest the umbrella from
him he struck him again with his fist While
Murphy was going to the front door he searched
Tor his pistol not Intending to IL, and In taking
it from his pocket Ii was accidentally discharged.
The Court held McSlane to answer the charge In
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