St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-04-02
CRAZY SHOOTING.
Attempt at Murder by Man Calling
Himself Lloyd Porter.
John Neary the Victim of Wild Shot by
the Drunken Assassin.

Yesterday afternoon a stranger about
thirty years of age entered the Pacific saloon
of James Neary, 391 jackson street, and start
ed in playing the game of pool. Frank
Neary was tending the bar, and after the
man had taken three glasses of beer he sud-
denly announced his purpose of smashing
| everything there was in there On this
James Neary, the proprietor, asked him what
he had said rhereupon he made
motions as though he was going
| to take off his coat for fight, but suddenly
jerking it ON his shoulders, Neary still ap-
| preaching, he drew brown colored IS cal
ibre revolver andpointing it at Neary backed
out of the front door.
THE SHOOTING.
| he entered the saloon second time at
6;30 p m. when Frank had gone and James
was in charge, when the latter told him to
get out, as he wanted neither him or any of
his crowd in his saloon, which request the
man complied with \ short time afterwards,
however, he jumped into the saloon and
| drawing his revolver on James
fired twice at him, one of the balls lodging in
the wall, and the other piercing the left groin
OF John Neary, a brother of James, who was
passing through the saloon with 4 friend for
the front door, having just descended by the
back stairs from his room in the second
story. He did not fall, but turned back and
reached the foot of the back stairs, up which
he was carried by his friends.
KNOCKED DOWN.
As soon as the shot was fired, one James
Shannon struck the assassin two tremendous
blows over the head with the butt of billiard
cue, breaking it in twain, and telling
him to the floor, and who with
Eugene Lettell then mounted his PROSTATE
body and took away the revolver, only two of
whose chambers were empty, and held him
until the officers came to their relief
Drs. Quinn and Richie were immediately
summoned, and were of the opinion that the
wound was exceedingly dangerous, did not
think best to probe for the bullet, but decided
to await further symptoms that might de-
velop for or against the injured man
by midnight.
THE WOUNDED, MAN.
John Neary was about nineteen years of
age, very quiet and industrious young
man, and an employe of Prendergast Bros,
the Third street stove and plumbing
firm and very much thought of by them.
| The senior partner of the firm Immediately
repaired to his bedside on learning Of the
shooting. At 10 O'Clock the boy lay in a
semi-comatose state, frequently moaning,
ooh, why did they shoot me."
THE ARREST.
Immediately after the shooting, Officer
DAILY came up and took charge of the prison.
err. The patrol wagon was called and he was
| taken to the city hall, where lie gave the
name of Lloyd Porter.
Owing to the wounds inflicted by the bill
lard cue he was at first unable to speak; his
injuries being dressed by the city physician.
| Upon being questioned he related a ramb-
ling story concerning his home and previous
whereabouts, giving his place of residence in
a half dozen different cities.
Through diligent inquiry it was ascertained
that he had been In Minneapolis during
the early part of yesterday, and that he
drove down to st. Paul in buggy yesterday
afternoon.
INTERVIEW WITH PORTER.
After the scalp wounds in his head had
been dressed by DR.. Aucker, Porter, the man
who committed the apparently unproyoked
assault, was locked up, and he was shortly
afterwards interviewed by GLOBE reporter.
He occupies cell No. . at city hall, and when
seen by the reporter he held his bandaged
head in his hands as if in meditation. As
seen in the rather faint reflection of the gas
jet he is heavy set, with jet black mustachC,
swarthy complexion and about thirty years or
age.
Upon being first questioned he refused to
converse, saying that he did not dare to say
anything until he knew how the affair was
going to turn out. He appeared thoroughly
sober and after some persuasion was induced
to talk.
His story was substantially as follows 'I
am printer by trade and left Chicago last
Friday; 1 stopped at a couple of places on
my way up and reached St. Paul to-day; L
am married man and have a family
residing at Clinton, Iowa.
/ hardly know how l got into the fuss to-
night don't know the man l had the fuss
with and never saw him before; l had been
drinking and it all came about because Of
his interfering; went into the saloon and
had talk with the bartender;
we talked about a game of pool; told him
that if he beat me l would exchange watches
with him; we had some talk about the mat
ter and we exchanged Watches after that 1
went outside, but as 1 didn't want to take his
watch, l thought l would 90
back and square it with him;
when L went back lie pulled a gun on me
and drove me out; after being put out l went
back into the saloon and told him that if he
wanted anything out of me he could have it;
we both pulled our guns and 1 don't know
who shot frst.''
Upon being brought to city hall Porter was
searched and the sum of 52.08 and revolt
yer found upon his person. The weapon
with which he did the shooting is of the
Smith 81 Wesson make, and 3S-calibre; two
of the chambers were empty.
The condition of young Neary at a late
hour last night was considered very preca
rious and grave doubts are entertained of hia
| recovery.
!