The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-06-15
TOM M'GEHAN MURDERED

FITTING END TO Mr.. vAIL4ANDIdHAM's OLD
CIIENT-A REMINIscENcE or THE OHIO
STATESMAN AND HIS ACCIDENTAL DEATH
TIRE ASSASSIN ) TACTICS PRAcTIsED ON HIM
SELF.
CINCINNATI 0hfo June II, 1878.
The assassination OF Tom McGensn. at Hami-
ton, OHIO, last night was the startling news In
thls city Today. Mcclellan obtained An almost
national celebrity, a murderer, IN the year
1870, BY his trisl at Lebanon, ohio, with Clement
L. Vallandigham as leading counsel for the de
fence. IL may be remembered that Mcclellan was
tried for tie assassination or Tom Myers. at Ham
ilton on Christmas night, 1869. Mr.. vaandignam
advanced the theory that Myers shot himself
IN the abdomen while attempting TO pull his re-
viewer on his assailants, and in illustrating this
theory TO his associate counsel with loaded re-
voiver discharged Its contents into his own body
and died from the effects OF the wound. The trial
went on after vallandigham's death ana resulted
In disagreement or the jury. Under q change OF
the venue Mcclellan was taken to Dayton, the
home or vallandgham. for trial. and was convicted
OF murder In the first degree; but the Judge
granted a new trial the villain was acquitted.
The city OF Hamilton rose TO q man and forbade
his return under the penalty or summary death,
and McGenan was obliged TO skulk about from
place 10 place for nearly three years, but ne
nnally returned 10 Hamilton aud settled down uI.
disturbed 10 the business or a saloon keeper. His
presence was cause Tor alarm, but he publicly an
nounced his intention 10 live at peace with all
men, and this declaration, together with the lapse
OF time, had a soothing effect upon the public
mind, and Mcclellan was allowed TO remain
Everybody feared him aud ne lived in constant
lear Tor ms life. MS cronles gave MIN
A DREADFUL NoToRETY,
te xw.la kalfn uaA fnwfh AaA NgtRu
several men besides Tom Myers
HIS method was 10 associate a gang, provoke a
quarrel and while that was In progress, shoot bis
man from an ambush.
Srnguary enough, this was the method
adopted by his murderers last night AS far az can
be ascertained, IL appears that about midnight 4
couple Of men entered McGehan's saloon
on Basin street aud called Tor whiskcy
Mcclellan stepped behind the bar 10 serve
them, and while in the act some
sort OF dispute arose, during the
progress OF which a shot was fred through the
WINDOW OF the saloon, taking eject In the side or
McGehans head. AS soon az he was wounded
Mcclellan seized mis- revolver ana started from be-
hind the bar to reach tue door, but staggered
against table and fell upon the door, hail lean
ing against the wall, where ne expired.
couple OF watchmen, nearing the shot, rushed
to the scene, but found TIE gas turned down and
the door smut again. They forced an entrance.
when Mcclellan was found dead, aud his person
ana the floor were covered with blood, which.
10 MS death agony, ne mad scattered about In
slcKening quantities.
AN EXAMINATION
OF the premises revealed vhe TACT that a spring
wagon had been backed up 10 toe alley window
commanding the bar, ana that the assassiHs had
sighted their victim through hole In the shutter
and snot him IN his tracks through the glass. IL
- supposed tnat the death was planned Just in
the manner related, for the turning down or the
gas and vacatlng OF the saloon Dy the drinkers
Immediately alter the shooting shows that they
were parties 70 the crime.
Ii was with diniculty that the Coroner found a
jury OF SIX citizens 70 hold an inquest, aud.
although four witnesses have been been exam
ined, not shred OF testimony has been elected
70 throw any light upon the motive and mystery
VI the deed.
The deatR OF Mcclellan under any circumstances
is regarded, not only IN hamilton, out through
out southern OHIO, as puphc benefaction and II
Il not at all probable inat any very remarkable
exertions viii be made 70 ferret out his execu.
TONERS ior the mere ooJcct 81 vindcating the ma
lesty OF the law.