The New York herald., 1879-07-15
DID HE FIRE THE SHOT?


DARING ATTEMPT AT ASSASSINATION IN ELIZA
BETH N. IA MANS LIFE SAVED By sUs-
PENDER BUCKLE.
James Halpin and Thomas Gaffney are both hack
and reside in the Eighth ward in Elizabeth.
n. J. For some three years past q deadly
feud has existed between the The bad
feeling originated folows:--On the morning
of July 4. 1876 Gafney, who had been attending
picnic the night previous. lay down upon the grass
which borders the sidewalk of Washington avenue.
and while asleep Halpin passed by and. in doing so
d.sch irged q revolver into Gafney's back and in
hicted severe wound. from the effect of
which he at times still suffers. Halpin ad-
nits firing the pistol. but claims that 1t
was accidental. and that he had intention Of in
jurins Gafney. At all events it the of an
i'll feeling. which has manifested itself upon several
occasions since that date Halpin spent Sunday
evening in beer saloon. on Rector street, and when
the hour OF midnight he left for his home in
company with one Isaac Kirk The two friends pro-
ceeded down Elizabeth avenue far Bridge street.
where they parted company and Halpin continued
his way. through Bridge street. toward home.
He stopped under . gasiight when the corner
OF Pearl street and counted over some change IN MS
that man suddenly appeared from alleyway not
fifteen feet distant and discharged revolver at him.
the bali passing through the coat aud and strik
ing upon the buckle OF his suspenders, thereby
ing his lite; tor had not the ball been stopped
In its progress it would have pierced the heart.
Ealnin at,er the nrst shot had heen hred An.
preached the man and exclaimed, "whoa. you dog"
when the would-be assassin attempted to discharge
the pistol the second time. but fortunately the
weapon missed fire. Halpin then turned and
swiftly toward Police Headquarters. where he pre-
ferred complaint against Gaffney. being positive
that he was the man VINO had attacked him.
ARRKsrKD on SUSPICION.
Lieutenant flannigsn. OF the Elizabeth police
force. immediately procseded to Gafneys house and
sted hlm in his room. While there the officer
made thorough search of the apartment and also
of Gafney's clothing but failed to find any pistol
Gaffney was. however. taken to the police station
ana locked up in cell over night. Yesterday morn
ing both parties were brought up before Justice
Osborn for examination. Gafuey accom- anied
by his mother aud sister and several friends among
whom was Richard Sheridan. who afterward became
Gaffney's bondsman. When before the Justice Hal
pin related his story OF the shooting substantially
given above. and claimed TO be positive in
his identification OF Gahney as the man
who fred the shot, giving as his reason
for believing that Gafncy had several
times threatened to "get even" with him for the
injuries received three years ago.. In reply
the inquiries of Justice osborn. Gafney said he
had nothing to say except that he was not absent
from his home than fifteen minutes during
the entire evening. and then he went to the
stable to look after his horse This state
Ment corroboratcd by both his mother
and sister. who say that Thomas at home the
entire evening and retired to bed between ten and
eleven o'clock. John Carroll also examined, and
o'clock. and when he parted with him he going
to the stable and said he would return in few min
utes and go to Ced.
Richard Sheridan. the bondsman for Gaffney. also
testified to calling ut his house shortly after ten
O'Clock on Sunday evening. for the purpose Of OBJ
tanning whip lash Ciaffney had borrowed from him,
and told that Tom up stairs in bed; he did
not go to his consequently could not that
he in bed ut the time mentioned Gaffncy in not
yet twenty yeurs OF age. and is regarded by all who
know him quiet and inofensive. aud not at all
likely to seek revenge in so murderous manner.
great difference OF opinion exists to the shooting.
but the most prevalent that another person
than Gaflney fired the shot with the intention of
robbing Halpin prompted to the act by seeing Hal
pin counting his money under the gaslight. daf-
ney' bail was fixed at 81 .000.