The daily gazette., 1880-01-27
SECOND EDITION
Il BLOW IN TIE DARK.
A COWARDLY ATTEMPT AT AS
SASSINATION.


BAILIFF, BY STRIKING A BLOW IN
THE DARK-A DESPERATE DRUNKEN
MANA POLITICAL FUED, THREE
KNocK-DowNs AND A CowARD's AS
SAULT.
Thompson Simmons is a precinct poll
tlcian of the Eighth Ward, and one OF
the standard bearers of the Republican
party in the district. He is the reputed
leader of gang of shoulder-hitters and
wire-pullers, and his strenuous efforts to
aid his party have resulted in the naming
of the Ward, the ''bloody Eighth" Sim
mons has made many enemies in politics,
and bears hard character generally
among those with whom he has come in
contact. He has been drunk for some
days, and last night his crousal termina-
ted with desperate attempt to take the
life of James r. Daley, the bailiff of CITY
Council, against whom he has entertain
ed hard feelings for a long time.
The details of the affair are about az
follows: Yesterday evening Mr.. Daley
was coming up Eighth street on his
way home from serving the Council no
tices In the Ninth Ward. At Church
street he saw three men standing in con-
versatlon, namely, Thompson Simmo-s,
john Curran and Charles McCoIlum. He
was passing when McCollum called him
and asked him to wait as he wanted to
talk TO him. They had a brief conversa-
tod which was cut shot by Simmons
coming up and talking about fighting.
Daley told him to go away as he did not
want to have any trouble with him. He
then turned and started up Eighth street
and had gone as far as BenHett, when
McCollum who was near by exclaimed,
'there he comes" Turning Daley saw
Simmons struggling to get out of the
grasp Of Curran who was holding him
back. He noticed knife In the fellows
hand, and told him not to come near
him with that. At length Simmons re-
leased himself from Currans grasp, and
ran toward Daley, who again cautioned
him to stay away. The next moment
blow from the bailiff's fist sent Summons
reeling across the street where he fell
PROSTATE. He struggled to his feet and
again essayed to rush at Daley and was
knocked down second time.
The bailiff left Simmons then with this
remark "Now don't bother me any
more If you want to get me licked get
a man who can fight. You are worth
less cur" Leaving Bennett street Mr..
Daley noticed Simmons apparently fol-
lowing him, and asked him what he was
doing that for. "Can't fellow go homer"
answered he in a sullen tone. He
thought he would have no more trouble
and passed ahead of his late assailant.
Mr.. Daley was passing up Eigh h street
and had nearly reached Spruce street,
when he saw VIM. McShea, and was
about to ask friendly question, when
be suddenly felt The knife enter the back
of his neck. He had been walking along
not thinking of Simmons and had both
hands in his pockets. "You've cut me I"
he exclaimed, aud turning he saw Sim
mons just stepping back, knife in hand.
Holding the bleeding wound with one
hand, Daley struck a blow at Simmons
from the shoulder and sent the coward
into the middle of the street where he
fell like log. He then ran out to him
and kicked hlm as he lay. "My blood
was up" remarked the wounded man af-
terward, "and if they had not taken me
Oft, l might have hurt him badly" Chas
McColum and John Curran came up at
this moment. The former took Daley to
drug store, and The latter held Sim
mons till he broke away. Soon after
that Mr.. Daley went to his home at 818
Pine street. Simmons was arrested about
IL O'Clock in the evening In house kept
by Mrs. Tatman on Tatnall street below
Fifth, by Sergeant Jones and officers
Boster and Kane.
Mr.. Daley's wound is in the back of
the neck, and the blade of the knife mar
rowly escaped entering the jugular vein.
The wound is about an inch and one
eighth in depth and is very painful. 1t
was first dressed by Charles Resag at the
drug store at Seventh and Pine streets.
Afterward DIR. Howard Ogle was called
in and fixed the cut, after whi ch the in
jured man rested easier. The weapon
with which the wound was Inflicted was |
a pocket knife VIM. McShea, was the
only one who saw the blow struck, and,
speaking of it to a GAZETTE Reporter
with the knife with all his might, and
about to repeat the blow, when
Mr.. Daley knocked him down.
Mr.. Daley, Curran and McCollum
were all talked with about the affair by
a reporter this morning, and the states
men of each correspondence tie account |
given above. Mr.. Daley says THAI Sim |
mons has entertained hard feelings |
against him for a long time, and twice |
before has stopped him in the street and
insulted him.
The whole trouble appears to have orr |
yinated from warm political feelings,
sach of the principals being prominent |
u the two opposing political parties. |
simmons malice has been increased by |
jealousy on account of Mr.. Daley hold
ing office. As already stated the would |
been on a dekauoh since the middle of |
last week, when he got into a fight at |
the car shops of Bowers, Dure & Co.,
where he worked AMI was discharged, |
He has made frequent threats against |
members Of the riIm since that time.
Simmons was talked with in N O, 4 cell |
in the city hail where he is confined this |
morning. ii told reporter that he was |
very drunk last night and could not re
c ollect anything about the matter.
"But did L Gu: Jim?" he asked.
"Yes," was the reply.
"Well then l don't know anything |
about it,"
The trial will come of as soon as Mr..
Daley is able to come out of the b ouse.
There Is much indignation expressed |
on the street at the assault, which seems |
wholly unprovoked. The well known |
character df Mr.: Daley for peace and |
good order would make the. idea genera
hat there was no cause for The assault.
even if the facts were not known.