The New York herald., 1875-09-19
A ROAD TRAGEDY.

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ANTE-MoRTEM STATEMENT or TIE VICTIM
The vicinity Of the Dcerloot Park track, on uo
Coney Island road was the scene OF a tragedy Fr-
day night last, in which the proprietor o ths race
course, named william Mcmahon, was morally
wounded. The assailant Of Mr. Mcmahon, whose nano
is William johnson, gave himself into me custody
Of the neighbors who SET out 10 o.oct
his capture Immediately upon she crclla-
tion Of the news Of the shooting Tho
reports concerning the ARRAY numerous ana some
what conflicting blt tLc most autlolLc narrative OF
the occurrence would seem % embrace The facts hero
set forth :-shcay after eight O'Clock on Friday even
ing after party assembled Ia The barroom OF McMa-
hons Hotel had fully discussed the merits OF the races
that had occurred on Deeroot Park track thai after
noon the question Of agility and dexteriy in wrestling
arose The party consisted Of Andrew Rock, consta
BILE; Robert Savage, James Rodgers, James Nc
DonneH, Dennis Couchine, William johnson and
the proprietor Of the place. They were
all sober and orderly. Norman Taylor the pedestrian
who ran five miles the track and won purse Of
500 that day, was warmly criticised by the sports'
in the barroom circle
In the course of the conversation Mcmahon said be
would bet $50 that Constable
ROCK COULD THROW JOHNSON
in wrestling match Rock said he would try in
friendly way what he could do. The parties then took
hold Of each other and
THE CONSTABLE WAS TWICE THowN
down, much TO the amusement OF the spectators.
Johnson then retired quietly from the house. and was
vending his way homeward, when Mcmahon, who was
somewhat surprised doubtless al his abrupt departure,
the verandah and shouted out to the retreat
ing successful wrestler, who then about one hun
dred yards from the place, johnson, what about
those oats?" [They had previously been conyersing
about some oats which Johnson's uncle had for sale.
There reply made TO the query, whereupOn
Mr. Mcmahon stepped quickly of the porch and
followed Johnson, who stood to receive him.
Though the constable and the bartender
on the verandah the darkness prevented their seeing
the two As Mr.. Mcmahon approached Johnson
he laid hold of his arm and SAID, ''What is the matter
JOhnsOnV 'Let 90 OF me, angrily retOrted the lat
ter Il want to what's the matter with you first F."
You do ch, said johnson as he drew away from
Mcmahon, and, producing pistol, fred two shots in
rapid succession at his victim The two men from the
hotel verandan then ran up and found Mcmahon lying
on the ground exciamlng,
''llY GOD AN sHoT!''
johnson walked rapidly of into the darkness. The
wounded removed to the house, where il was
found that two balls had entered his body one
close TO the region Of his heart and the other was lodged
in his left hip Surgeon Bartlett, who was summoned,
pronounced the wounds fatal In the meantime the
OF the shooting spread about the adjacent coun
try, and men armed with shotguns started OF in quest
Of the fugitive. Ihey met johnson when near his
uncle's house coming toward them He had changed
his clothes unarmed, and offered resistance TO
his eaptors He was then taken TO Grayesend, where
he was arragned before Justice McKlbben, who COM
mtted him TO jail IL Raymond street. Brooklyn. Prior
10 being taken TO the jail he was brought before the
wounded man. who fully identified him his assailant
Az the Jail yesterday, however the keepers persist
emily denied that Johnson there they did not
wish anybody 10 converse with him. Johnson stated
to friend that he had acted solely in self-de-
fence; that Mr.. Mcmahon had assaulted hlm
down and jumping upon him In proof Of this State
he exhibits several bruises his legs and body.
johnson, who Is thirty years OF age Is native OF
the state OF Vermont He has been living with his
uncle here for the past two years He worked daily at
his trade in Brooklyn He IS six feet in height
and very slight IN build lie is unmarried and bears
fair reputation for sobriety and industry
party Of young people who had been TO Coney
Island and who returned a wagon along the road IN
he q q ta gl
who were they supposed ''skyarking" by the fence
the track but that finally Of the men suddenly
cried out Help me help mel he won't let gol" Mr..
Turner one Of the party IN the wagon jumped out TO
assist the struggling man just the shots were fred
Coroner Sinms yesterday forenoon visited Nj
Mcmahon and received from him the following
ANTE AoETEM STATEMENT
Being at the time IN luil possession Of all my
faculties, l. William McMahon, do, Of my own free
will and accord, voluntarily make the following
ment believing that am about to die Of my wounds,
and that there is neither hope expectation OF my
recovery Last evening between the hours Of eight
and nine o'clock, a person named William johnson
came 10 me for the purpose Of selling some oats Alter
talked together some time ia the barroou ol my
hcuse he aud Andrew Rock got wrestling in
joking way IN the barroom. / remarked TO him,
Jokingy, that he could not throw Andrew. lie
then got very excited and went OF short dis
tauce from my house, the roadside. | then
went after him and iokingy took him by the right
arm. He called out "Muraer!" He cXcedly turned
upon me and discharged hls pistol. The first shot
penetrated my left breast. Greatly amazed ] turned
from him. Ho fred again. The second bail penetrated
nay right hip. ! then fell but got up again. Assist
auce came TO me, and was brought into my house.
never had angry word with him. | gave Tim 40
prOvOcltiOn. Our meeting friendly ! had con
cluded for the purchase OF the oats and they to
be delivered the next day. had agreed to pay for
them when they we're delivered. lie was a sober man.
perfectly sober at the time Had not drank anything
al the tune but had treated him to cigars William
johnson believe to be nephew Of Albert Johnson
gentleman living by. After bring upon me he ran
away. WILLIAM MCMAHON
ssrrEsrrn Is, 1875
Witnessed by THEODORE LUsCH.
TIE BARTENDEH's STATEMENT
The subioined statement made By the bar
tendcr:-L between hali-past eight and Dine
O'Clock last night when McMahOn, William Johnson
Andrew Rock aud myself were in tue barroom They
began TO talk about wrestling, when Mcmahon SAID
'EOhnsOn, u bet you can't throw Rock Johnson aud
Rock then got wrestling IN a good hunored way and
johnson threw Rock twces The party then went back
and took drink, and Mcmahon treated 10 cigars
Mcmahon said something b joking kind Of a way TO
johnson, and he went out ,a5 il he was angry
Mcmahon followed him, and the next thing I
heard was a pistol hrcd on three times and saw Nc
MahOu lying tho r0adside two Of the hcstlers ran
toward him, picked him up aud carried hIn into tie
house.
4 small sized Smith s. Wesson pistol was handed BY
the u1ce OF the prisoner 10 Constable Rock yesterday
but strange TO say, though II said 70 have been tie
weapon used by William Johnson, there bu one
shot discharged. Yesterday Drs Carn0chsn, Eeteil
and Ie ch yere in attendance on NJ. Mchahos whose
condition w3s very critical
M'HAHoy,
who Is widely known among horse ianciers throughout
the country B thirty-hve years Of age Of strong build
and physical strength. which may enable hin TO get
through his present terrible struggle between life and
death The habitlss Of DeerfOot Park and the cOney
I1f. To I.arft tet Ngan