Evening journal., 1888-06-18
SWEENEY'S CRIME.
a BRUTAL ASSAULT by AN
OLD OFFENDER.
He Throws stone with Deadly
Aim at Thomas HEartin-A FugI-
tive Prom Justice-His Record
ms n Laxv-brenker.

The most cowardly and cold-blooded
crime ever attempted In this city was that
from whose effects Thomas Martin now lies
at the point Of death at tne Western Hotel
In this city. The brutal act was perpe-
trated by Hugh r. Sweeney, who on Sat
urday night made deadly assault upon
Martin by hnrling heavy stone at his
head, crushing his skull. Sweeney Is we'll
known as an ex-saloon keeper, ex-Chief
Engineer OF the Fire Department and
ruiiian OF the first water.
Accompanied by a man named Bell,
Sweeney entered the saloon of Caroline
Klineler, lO7 & % ST., about 10p. m. on
Saturday. He appeared. to be sober. In
the barroon were Arthur Wilson, Robert
Wilton and Thomas Martin. Bweeney
upon entering the saloon advanced to Mar
tin and shook hands with him and said he
and Bell bad just come from Philadelphia
Wilson and Martin then twitted Swesney
good nsturedly upon being down on the
coast instead of going to Philadelphia
Some other parties entered the saloon and
Martin engaged in conversation with them
10 relation to pigeon shooting, Martin being
a crack shot While the talk was going on
Sweeney crossed the room ami said sneer-
ipgly to Martin. "You can't hit flock Of
barn doors.n Martin replied II don't know
as 1t is any of your business as am trying
to arrange a match with these gentlemen"
Hot words ensued and in a few minutes
Sweeney was on the floor with Martin on
top Of him, having hold Of his ear.
The Klingler woman sent for officers, and
in few minutes Sergeant Cannon and
Patrolmen Shields and Crumlish entered
and saw Sweeney standing at one end Of
the bar with his ear and forehead bleeding
badly and Martin at the other end with the
two Wilson's holding him. He was shout
ing: "It will take five Irish s. OF b-s
like you to whip me.
The proprietress asked tue officers TO ar
rest Sweeney, but let Martin alone The
officers took Sweeney out and led him up
French st. as far as Spring alley, when re-
ceiving a call for a row at Front and Ship
ley Sts, they started for that point,
Sweeney promising to 90 home. The
Wilson's cay that after Sweeney got mp be
drew knife upon Martin, but when the
officers entered they did not see it.
When Sweeney had been left BY the OIL
cers be turned aud walked to "a aud French
Sts.. seating himself in a chair ia front
Of Joseph Weldon's saloon. But be picked
up a stone about es big a. bis fist and weigh
ing about three pounds. He remained ia this
seat about 25 minutes, when the Wilson's
and Martin came along on their way home.
AS they came within few feet OF Swtenay,
be, without a moments warning, raised
himself from the chair and with delibera-
tive aim fired the stone. and though Mar
tin lodged, IL struck him Equarely over the
left eye, making circular wound about
three inches in length. Martin fell uncon-
scious, a condition from which he did not
recover until yesterday morning about
o'clock.
The Wilson's aud a couple Of others car
ried the ip jnred man to DR.. n. b. horri-
sons drug store. DIR. Morrison sent for
DR.. ORle and a transfer coach conveyed
the injured man TO the Western Hotel,
where an examination Of his wounds de-
veloped the fact that the skull had been
crushed against the bone. The physicians
removed six small pieces OF bones and found
an indentation on the inside large enough
TO admit ones little finger. The blow had
the effect of deafening the man, This
morning he had a good nights rest and
was doing as we'll as could be expected.
The doctors entertain no hopes Of his re
covery and say that the crisis will come to-
day.
After Sweeney threw the stone he turned
without word and started at a terrific
pace up French st. and soon disappeared
in the darkness. The police officers re-
turned to Cd and French Sts. almost i'm
mediately after the tragedy and telephoned
TO the City Hall. Officer Schoer received
word from DIR. ogle to have Sweeney ar
rested. A diligent search was at.once or
ganized. Sweeneyis home was gone over
thoroughly. Every means of egress from
town was also watched. The greatest diff.
nculty was experienced in securing com
munications with outside towns. and it was
, not until next morning that any place but
Philadelphia was reached. 1t is thought
that Sweeney is still in the city. He i.
we'll known to Chief OF Detectives Woods
OF Philadelphia. His likeness appears ID
/ the Rogues' Gallery there. In Chester
nearly everyone knows him, and in Balti
more he is known TO the polics. Chief o
Police Loper remained at the station al
/ night steering the searching parties.