The New York herald., 1879-07-06
RUFFIANISM AT ELM PARK.

YOUNG MAN SEVERELY STABBED BY AN UN-
KNOWN DEsPERADo-sTRUGG WITH AN Ex-
POLICEMAN.
Elm Park, Staten Island. which enjoyed the repu-
taton OF being delightful retreat from the and
turmoil of the city has within the past years.
boen infested on Sundays and national festivals by
rowdics from this city. On the occasion of
cursion or picnic the roughs rarely venture to iu-
trude. as they fully aware OF the risk
they would run; but on such a day as the
Fourth of july with it's miscellaneous gathering.
they calculate that rufBanism will have more than
an even chance aga INST respectable people. Tho
park was well filled Friday. and everything
passed OFF pleasantly till the arrival Of gang of
rowdes on the three O'Clock boat from this city.
They entered the hotel jostled the guests and used
most offensive language. Mr.. Brown. the pro
priotor. notified tho police. and this coming to the
knowledge OF the lawless gang they acted in very
bosterous and threatened to ''clean out the
house" and tako possession of the bar The police
appeared and partially restored order; but the Of
tenders remained sullen and seemed determined
mischief. The officers fingered in the hotel till
about Ave O'Clock. when they scattered the
park thinking that order was restored. They
had not departed many minutes. however.
when general fight took place, extend
ing from the hotel to the park. Several
respectable Staten Island came to the aid of the
proprietor and endeavored to persuade the rowdies
to leave the place Prominent among those who in
terfered was young man named James Devln.
stonecuttcr He singled out for vengeance by
the gang. and. as they closed on him, knife was
plunged into his abdomen and he fell to the ground.
An alarm was raised and the rowdies dispersed, but
were pursued and three arrested
A DESPERATE STRUGGLE.
While the officers were taking them outside the
prisoners a
bystander as the man who had inflicted the stab and
proved to be Laurence Murray who was formerly a
patrolman in the First precinct of this city. Mur-
ray thereupon turned upon his captor. officer Cobb,
and released himself but the officer quickly orasped
him and a desperate struggle ensued. Murray en-
deavoring to twist the officers left arm with
one hand and to choke him with the other. but the
officer welded his club with such telling effect that
his prisoner succumbed. not however till his head
was covered with blood. Hold OIL" he cried. I'm
face with his coat tall. But I'm not quits just
yet" was Cobbs reply. II must search
through his clothing was made. but the
knife was not found The officers then
examined the place where Devlin fell and the
knife was found near the spot 1t is most formid-
able weapon of cast STEEL such is used in making
files with heavy blade an inch in width at the base.
like bayonet than blade. The other prison.
ers were George Magrath and Edward Burns.
this city, the other two from the First
ward. They were taken to the police station at
Port Richmond and locked up. Devlin was con
and medical aid was procured. 1t was found that
the knife had penetrated inch and half into the
abdomen that peritonitis may result. The
mans condition is very critical The prisoners
taken from the station ard brought to his
bedside but he failed to identify them His atten-
tion was directed particularly to Murray. but he
said in his agitation that he could not then be
it was he who inflicted the stab. II think Iwonld
know the maj" " he remarked family 'but cannot
tell just now." At this point he became very weak
and the prisoners we're taken back to the station.
THE PRISONERS DISCHARGED.
When Justice Johnson opened his court yesterday
morning the prisoners were brought before him.
Magrath and Burns were charged with disorderly
conduct, and stoutly denied that they con-
cerned in the affray. whereupon the Justice admin
istered lecture. ana discharged them with
the warning that hereafter they should be set down
marked mem by the officers il they should
be found Staten Island in association
with such class of rowdies created the disturb
Friday. Murray then asked what he
had to say. He pleaded IN defence that DevlIn had
failed to identify him as having done the stabbing
~ think, Judge" said he. 'you ought to take
into account the punishment got without giving
me any more" to which the Justice replied, You
deserved ALL Our police officers to be set up
targets for rowdies, and you will do we'll re-
member that such rufianisin will not be tolerated.
You may go now, but be careful not to come here
again under similar circumstances
1t is believed that the perpetrator made his escape
of the North Shore Terry boats shortly after
the stabbng and came to this city. Devln is a man
of excellent reputation and has been married only
six months.