New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-02-26
viousy convicted Of housed reakng and carrying
concealed weapons and sent to jail for six months
SLIGHT CAUSE FOR MURDER.
SHOOTING A BOY FOR STORYTELLING HIM.

ATTEMPTS TO LYNCH BOAT CAPTAIN WHO HAD
BECOME ANNOYED.
Considerable stir was caused at Pier No. North
River, yesterday Afternoon by murder which was
said to be an act Of revenge for trifling wrongs.
Canalboat No. 8, owned by the Manhattan Trans
portation Company, had been lying at the pier for
several days and its captain. John w. Rubright,
had been annoyed by boys who throw coal and
chunks of ice at the boat. His evident vexation and
his attempts to retaliate only encouraged the boys
to continue their tOrmenting warfare. They bonn
barded the Captain and his boat with snowbals
most of the forenoon, and the aborers on the pier
laughed ut Rubrighs vain attempts to frighten the
lads away. Among the wOrkmen was Patrick
Dugap, age nineteen, who drove horse attachedto
coal-holsting derrick on the pier. Dugsn left the
pier at noon to get his dinner. and returned about
1 o'clock. He was hitchlng his horse to the derrick
when Captain Rubright appeared on the deck
of the canalbOat with pistol
in his hand. number Of long
shOremen were the pier, not far away from
Dugan. Some person at q distance threw snow
ball close to the captains hcad. The other persons
on the pier were astonished when Rubright raised
the pistol and fired. The bullet struck young
Dugan in the left temple and entered his brain. He
fell back the pier and died in a few moments.
As soon as the men on the pier realized what had
happened their indignation against RuDrisnt was
unbounded. Cries of lynch him." were uttered,
and more than one rope was procured for
that purpose Rubright seemed to be stunned by
the result of his shot and the fierce conduct of the
crowd. II is not unlikely that he would have been
killed had not Policeman Meaney, Of the twenty
seventh Precinct, appeared at that moment Mea-
npy raped for assistance and arrested huDrIght
When other policemen arrived the prisoner was
taken to the Church Street Police STATION,
followed by the angry crowd. lac
body of the murdered youth was carried e
to Castle Garien and a.terward taken
to the police station. There 1t was claimed by ms
father, John Dugan, of No. 90 Charlton-st. rat
rick was tho oldest of four children. lie was a
steady, Woodworking lad and helped his parents
to support the family. Among the iaborers on the
water front he had many friends. They SAID that
he was not in any way responsible for the annoy
ance to the captain. Rubright Is below the aver
age height, with close-cropped mustache, gray
eyes and face expressive OF ordinary intelligence
While giving his testimony. in the lom0s ne
shook like leaf. A boatman.. who tes'
titled against him., said that m he captain
was troubled with palsy. The prisoner
SAID in defence of act that he had warned young
Dugan to desIst throwing sDowballs at him, put
IL had done no good. He then went down into his
cabin got his revolver and shot the boy IN the
head. He did not appear to feel ,he weight OF ms
crime Michael smith, of No. 24 Morrlsst., the
chief witness. stated that he saw Rubrght come
out Of the cabin with the revolver and after taxing
deliberate aim fire at Dugan James Il. Irwin. gen.
cral manager of the company by which RuDri ght
was employed, testified i'll the prisoners Dehaif;
He said that the man had always borne good
reputation. Rubright was held for trial under
hail