New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-01-21
WHICH BELLIGERENr STRUCK FIRsTs


THE TWO PUGILIsTIC POLICEMEN TELL THEIR
STORIES BEFORE TEE COMMISSIONERS.
Tho trial OF Policemen Joseph p. Mcclure, OF tho
Mulberry street Squad and John Irving, of tho Mer-
Ger Street Squad, who had Hgh in Bleeckerst near
the Bowery, the night OF January l2 went be-
fore Commissioner Porter at Police Headquarters yes
terasy Each policeman accused tho other of begin
ming the fight, and each tried to show that he was
fgting only In self-defence. Lawyers BrOdsky for
Irving and S'incr for Mcguire, drew out testimony
from moro than a dozen witnesses. Inspector Conlln
and Sergeant KclIeher, who duty at Police
Headquarters the evening OF the fight, and heard
about It before It fairly over, testified that tho
two policemen had engaged In dsgraceful brawl in
full uniform. Sergeant Kelleler had found both men
In the street and had taken them before the Inspector
who had suspended them from duty after hearing their
stories.
In his testimony yesterday, Irving said he met two
young women near Broadway on the night OF the bat
tie, AMI they asked him to direct them to Delaney
and Allen SITS. Hc walked with them to the Bowery
and talked with them there for a few minutes. Nc
CURE, who the south side OF Bcccker-st., sent
two friends the street to make sport of irving.
Then Mcclure also crossed the street TO rvgs post
and assaulted him. Mcclure said he saw irving talk
Ing with the young women for twenty FIVE minutes.
lie first Irving Bleeckerst from Elizabeth
ST. with the women Finally Irving called to him,
Come over here, joe" and he crossed tho street to
see what wanted whereupon irving began to cub
him and be struck back.
several men who had witnessed the fight gave con-
Trajectory testimony as to which policeman struck
the first blow. Some said they saw Mcclure cross
Beecker ST. and strike Irving after threatening to do
him up" others declared that they heard Irving call
Mcclure across the street and tell him he " no
geoa' before he struck him. Some said the police
mon dubbed each other, While Others said that the
policemen struck with their fists and had their clubs
In thor belts. Fanny Bliss and Antoinetto HENDERSON
who arc employed In factory at No 90 Blocker st.,
said they asked Irving TO direct them to Delaney and
Allen SITS They knew the way well enough, but they
asked the policeman IN fun" After 10 had walked
with them TO the Bowefy, two men cTossed Bleeck er
ST., and one OF tho mon made Insulting remark
Then they went back to talk with MeCure tho
south side Of the street. MCGUIRE then crossed tho
street and attacked Irving, whercupOn The young
women TO Headquarters 10 tell Inspector CoDlib
about the fight One Of the girls admitted that she
had been acquainted with the two men who crossed
Beeckersi. aud Were ordered away by irving FL
ward Livingston and George senicker. the two men
speak to tho young women Irving said to them. Don't
you come over here. or III club your head off, They
went back and heard Irving call Mcclure the
street. Then they saw irving strike Mcclure with
a club. Mcguire struck back and the battle lasted
about ten minutes At the close OF the fight. Ne
CURES face was covered with blood Commissioner
Porter said the would be referred 10 the Police
days after the scnOgrapher has written out the
tlmohy Meanwhile Irving and Mcclure Will remain
suspended nom duty. They will DO iuchy II they
escape being dismissed from the force.