The New York herald., 1879-03-05
A PEDESTRIANS PISTOL PRACTICE.

THE REASONS WHY VAN NESS FIRED HIS Re-
voLvER INVITE FIFTH REGIMENT ARMoRY.
The news that Peter Van Ness. the pedestrian, who
is engaged in a walking contest in the old
Fifth Regiment Armory. had shot his trainer.
Joseph Burgoine, during wild freak on Monday
evening" attracted greater number of persons yes
erday the hall than has been usually in attendance
When the HERALD reporter visited the place Van
Ness found lying cot in his dressing room.
He appeared considerably confused when first ques.
toned concerning the shooting but after momentd
reflection. told his version OF the affair straight
forward manner.
He said:-'It all came about in this way. A lot o1
my friends from Brooklyn to yne.
and they stayed until seyen o'clock tho evening.
There considerable drinking done. they taking
beer while drank only sherry wine. After walking
fast in the hot and badly ventilated where
the track is situated. the Thermometer marking "
degrees, l became very much excited. This was
away, 80 as to allow me to sleep. Joseph Burgone.
the night trainer, and Goodwin. the pedestrian
into the to call me. lay on the cot. and had
not heard the bell which is rung when am wanted
on the track. Mr.. Armstrong, the scorer. rang the
boil second time. Burgoine lifted me up and put
me out on the track While making the first lap
some ono hit mo on the shoulder. l threw up my
right hand and rushed for the closet in the corner
as l thought was about 70 be assaulted. Three
four men pulled out and came into this Dress
ing room. shouted out, II will not walk any mora
il you are going to whip me; don't care anything
know who it that struck the
shoulder. but have since been told that thG
person who did it wanted to encourage me. saw
in the and others coming i'll by both doors.
Then Igrew more excited. as thought they were
after me- rushed to my valise and taking out a
revolver which always carry. fired wildly. dis
charged six shots You can see where the balls went
pointing to six huge indentations the walls and
against the door, One of the shots grazed the left
elbow OF Burgoine making flesh wound. Then
they took the revolver away from me and threw
water over my face was taken out on the track
after this and walked twice around during
the hour they say. but don't remember
anything about it. The day trainer (Iianerty)
and Burgoine took hold OF me and walked around
with me- When / became conscious. few minutes
after this, found one Of the Mcclure brothers at
my bedside, Offering me some fresh eggs. milk and
Cruel. Do 1 know where Burgoine is? No. be-
lieve he has gone home. He used to live in Fifty
eighth street. but has moved from there. and don't
know where he can be found He won't be here be-
fore tomorrow"
Although the pedestrian and Rafferty, his trainer.
seemed very ignorant of the whereabouts of Bur-
goine and also of the managers the very first person
encountered leaving Van Ness room was the iden.
tical man who had had such an exceedingly narrow
escape with his life.
rRAINERS STORY.
Burgoine is perhaps twenty-five years Of age,
low stature and compact build His complexion
is olive and his face smoothly shaven except q
slight mustache. He had the appearance and
spoke with the accent of q French Canadian. The
nervous twitching Of the muscles of his face ndi-
Gated that he suffering considerable pain from
his wound Speaking slowly. he said in reply to the
tho habit Of drinking with his friends at the but
on Monday he drank more than usual. 1t was NOT
a great deal IN quantity; but it seemed TO-
off his nut no doubt. He has acted
very queorly before, and there Is knowing what
he may do before stops. Van Ness has had good
times. was leading him out of his dressing room
when he took out his revolver and bazed away. The
very painful flesh wound doctor in the Bowery
dressed It. and to-day it Is so painful can't work"