Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1885-02-18
PHELAN AND HIS FOE.
THEY MEET IN COURT, BUT NEVER
SPEAK.
The Captains "Gun" Goes Along In
Charge of an Ofticer-Story of the
Stabbing Retold-Ouestioned by
Shorts Counsel.

NEW YORK, Feb. 16.-The courtroom
of the Tombs was we'll filed at 10 o'clock
Saturday morning, the hour set for the ex-
animation of witnesses in the Short helan
assault case. Capt. Phelan walked into the
court promptly at 10, and took his seat within
the railing. His arm still hangs in sling.
Sergt Granger, Of the Tombs squad,
took charge Of the captains big revolver.
1t was fully 1880 before the prisoner came
in accompanied by his counsel He looked
trife pale, and glanced around the court
room until his eyes fell upon Phelan After
looking at his victim for q moment he turned
to his counsel and spoke few words As
sistant District Attorney Purdy called Capt,
Phalen to the stand. and after being sworn
he testified:
My name is Thomas Phelan, and / live in
Kansas City. On the 9th of january was
sitting in O'Donovan Rossa'S office with my
left side to the table and my back to the
door Richard Short entered shortly after
with a long knife in his hand, and upon see
ing me exclaimed "Now, I've got you'll"
Then he plunged his knife into ME several
times. BIT this, two men who were sitting
in the room ran out, and tried to escape.
finally managed to get out of the room and
ran into the street. l became acquainted
with Short last July.
Capt Phelan was then taken in hand by
Shorts lawyer, who closely cross-examined
him. In the course of his examination
Phelan stated that he took three months
trip abroad in 1888; was never in the employ
of the British governments; never made the
acquaintance of any English official; had
conversation with British detective but
not know at the time who the man was.
At this point Mr.. Purdy, the assistant
district attorney, objected to such a course
Of questioning He thought counsel should
confine himself to the circumstances of the
assault After some discussion, during
which counsel for the defence stated that he
wished to prove that Capt Phelsn's word
was not to be depended on, Judge Patterson
ruled that the examination must be confined
to the assault
Shorts counsel then handed the witness a
copy Of The New York Tribune Of January
10, containing the famous interview, repro
duced from The Kansas City Journal. and
asked him if it was correct
Counsel for prosecution objected, but
Phelan was allowed to answer, and said that
the interview was not correct
Witness went on to state that his visit to
New York was for the purpose of visiting
his sister at Northampton, Mass, and to ex-
plain to certain persons the article in The
Kansas City Journal; that when he went to
Rossa's office, on the day Of the assault he
had his little boys revolver with him; did
not know whether it was loaded or not;
had been arrested twice in Kansas City, once
for tearing down on st. Patricks Day a
picture in store representing Irishmen as
apes, and the second time for carrying con-
cealed weap ons; was charged once with stab
bling man; the article in the Kansas City
i
information that dynamite was
concealed in the steamer Queen; did
give that information, would do it again
under similar circumstances. In answer to
the question, as it true that an English de-
tective got into your confidence" Capt. Phe-
Ian stated: Il told him what my name was;
where l came from, and whittier l was
going"
Shorts counsel then returned to the
Kansas City Journal article. Capt. Phelan
obtained permission to read the same and
did so aloud, correcting the report as he went
along.
Policeman Levy, who arrested Short, was
the next witness. He went over the story of
the arrest and testified as to what he saw
in connection with the assault on the side
walk in front of Rossa's office. His story
did not differ materially from that already
published.
1t was finally decided that the case should
60 over to Saturday on condition that it
should be finished on that day. After the
adjournment of the court, Capt. Ptelan
stated to United Press reporter that he
thought this putting off of the case was an
outrage. "While I remain in New York,
he said, u am under a heavy expense, and
my business interests are suffering at home"