Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-02-05

A few nights ago Edward Scannell,
shot and dangerously wounded Henry
Wilson, in low grocery in New York. The
male members of the family seem born to
misfortune. which is a mild word to ex-
press what has, at times, been tinged with
| crime In the fall election Of 1868 Flor
| ence Scannell was candidate for Assistant
Alderman. A few nights before the elect
ton he was in Thomas Donohue's saloon,
at Twenty-third street and Second avenue
| The place was crowded, and much heated
dicusSion on politics took place. Hot words
led to blows during the fracas some one
fired pistol, The bullet lodged in Flor
ence ScannelPs spine. After lingering for
a few days he died in Bellevue Hospital
John ScaRnell accused Donohue Of shooting
his brother, although the charge was not
made until several days afterwards, Moth
ing could be proved against DOnohue, and
the charge fell to the ground. Indeed, it
WAS said at the time. and it is current
among politicians and sporting men, that
John Soannell himself fired the shot, in
tending TO hit another man Be this as it
may, John Scannell professed to believe
that Donohae was his brothers murderer,
and then determined te slay him. Dono-
hue was shot at once in First avenue, and
an endeavor was made to show that Scan
nell had made the attempt to assassinate
him, but the evidence was not sufficient TO
fasten the crime on him. All that could
be proved was that man In disguise had
shot at DOnohue. -Four years passed and
Donohue still lived, but Scannell had not
relinquished his purpose. Instead, his de-
termination grew stronger with time, and
eventually consumed every other desire: il
became mania, which controlled his wa
king thoughts and dreaming hours. On the
eve of the Presidential election, in Novem-
Der, 1872, the pool rooms in this city were
crowded by eager investors on the result
One of the most noted places at that time
was T. b. Johnson's st Broadway and
Twenty-eight street, On the SATURDAY.
preceding the day of election that place
was literally packed. Standing near the
door was Thomas Donohue, with no thought
or care apparently for anything else than
investing his money in the election pools
AS he was turning TO speak to a friend,
John Scannell went down the stairs and
saw him. Without warnino. he drew his
pistol, and pointing it at Ionohue-, began
firing, remarking, i have You nov. DON
ohue fell at the first fire, and Scannell thea
emptied the remaining shots in his pistol
into the body of the fallen man. Death
ensued almost Immediately, and Scannell
was arrested and indicted for murder. On
his first trial he was sentenced to be huug
the case was appealed, a new trial granted,
and by jury of physicians Scannell was
declared insane. He was sent to the State
Asylum at Utica and after q short confne-
ment there, was released on writ of habeas
corpus, the courts which declared him in
sane then declaring him sane. AT the time
Donohue was shot Edward Scanneil was at
Fordham College. 1t was the desire of the
family that he should be educated for the
priesthood. His brothers crime barred
him out from so ambitious call NJ, and
from that day he changed from moral
youth to a reckless man. When John
Scannell was released from the asylum he
entered at once upon the life of profess
ional sporting man. He became, and is
now part owner of gambling saloon in
Barclay street aud another near Thirtieth
and Broadway. In both of these places
his younger brother, Ed. Scannell, was
dealer for a faro game,