The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1885-02-21
WHY PHELAN WAS STABBED.
His Admissions OF What He Told a British
Detective.

His Admissions of What He Told a British
Detective.
Richard Short, who stabbed Captain
Thomas Phelan in O'Donovan Rossas Of
fee on January 9, was brought up for
examination before Justice Patterson in
the Tombs Police Court on Saturday last.
Captain Phelan was present, ornamental
with his arm in sling and huge revol-
yer in his coat-pocket. 1t was explained
that he carried the weapon because he
feared further attacks upon him by tie
Irish dynamiters, whose secrets he is ac-
cused of betraying. A police sergeant,
however, deprived him of his weapon.
Short came in later, accompanied by his
counsel. He looked a triae pale. The
prosecution called Phelan to the witness
stand. After being sworn he said in re-
SPONGE to the questions of his COUNSEL
"My name is Thomas Phelan, and l
live in Kansas City. On the 9th of Jam
uary was sitting in O'Donovan Rossa's
office with my left side to the table and
my back to the door. Richard Short
came in, with long knife in his hand,
and said, Now l have got you; now
have got you Then he plunged the
knife into my breast. He pulled it out
and stuck it into my neck. tried to get
away from him by running around the
table, but he managed to strike me three
times. The two men who were in the
room ran out and tried to escape. Igot
out at length and made my way to the
street. became acquainted with Short
last July"
On the cross-examination, Phelan said:
81 have resided in Kansas City twenty
eight years. with the exception Of the
time l was in the army and the three
years l lived in Washington. took
three months trip abroad in 1888. Ivis-
tied Ireland, England and Wales. land
ed at Queenstown and from there l went
to Cork. l did not meet any persons 1
knew at either of these places. l never
was in the employ OF the British Govern
ment. l never made the acquaintance of
any government officers while abroad. I
| had conversation with British detec-
| tive, but did not know that he was
British detective until after he left my
| hotel"
At this point counsel for the prosecu-
ton objected to the scope of the cross ex-
animation, and suggested that it be con-
fined only to the assault.
| The Court decided that the examina-
ton must be confined to the evidence.
The prisoner was asked by counsel for
defense if the interview in the Tribune of
January 10-a reproduction of that pub
lished in the Kansas City Jou,nal-was
correct, and he replied that it was not a
correct copy of the article, but contained
the substance of it. The witness cross
examination was continued. He said:
81 came to New York in January for
two purposes; one to visit my sister, Mrs.
Levy, at Northampton, Mass, and to sx-
plain to certain persons the article in the
Kansas City Journal. 1 had talk with
Mr.. kearney about the article, and my
purpose in coming here. He had told
me that the boys down to the Office were
angry with me for talking to the report
ers in the way the article represented l
did; he also said something about the ar
ticle in O'Donovan Rossa's paper. l told
him that no man could publish lie with
out my bringing him to account for it.
When | went down to Rossa's office had
my little boys revolver with me. 1 have
been arrested twice in Kansas City, once
for tearing down on St. Patrick's Day
picture in store representing 1rishmen
as apes. The second time was arrested
for carrying concealed weapons. l was
charged once with stabbing man named
Trautnarton. did not boast about this
affair and say that would do it again if
any body insulted me. The article in the
Kansas City Journal did not call me an
informer. 1t said that gave information
that dynamite was concealed in the steam.
ship Queen. l did give that information
and would do it again under similar cir
cumstances. 1t is true to certain ex-
tent that an English detective got into
my confidence. l told him my name,
where l came from and where was GO
ing. The reason why had used Ksar-
ney's name, and had told what he had
said and done, was because he had OPEN
ly boosted of what he had done in Eng
land"
The policeman who arrested Short gave
his testimony, and then an adjournment
until Saturday next was granted on the
application of counsel for the defense.
Captain Phelan denounced the adjourn
msnt as unjust, saying that it cost him
loss of time and money.