Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-09-21
ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DrsPArcH.I ]

NEW YORK, September 2O-Sheridan
Shook. the well-known politician and man.
about-town and former theatrical manager,
is confined to his room at the Morton
House, suffering from injuries received
in q fight at the hotel on Wednes-
day evening last. Inquiry made. to-
night disclosed the fact that the patient s
condition is not serious, and that Mr.. Shook
will be around again in a few days. The
story of the afray as given by an eye-wit-
ness is as follows:
About $50 o'clock on the evening men
toned Mr.. Shook was seated at table in the
barroom of the Morton House, facing Broad
way, taking lunch, when the door opened and
Thomas Patten entered and approached the
bar. Mr.. Shook did not observe Mr.. Patterns
entrance, as subsequent events showed. Mr..
Patten, with rapid I-iovement-aImostr run
ning-advanced toward Mr.. Shook and
calling out, G., I've got you now" he
struck Shook violent blow on the cheek.
The blow cut deep cash, causing the blood
to flow profusely.
Shook endeavored to rise from his chair.
As he did so his assailant drew slightly
back and then delivered a furious upper
cut on Shocks nose. Then Shook managed
to grapple with Patten, who, although the
older man, exhibited much dexteritv
with his fists. The two men struggled
for some time, Patten getting in several
more blows upon Shocks body. Finally
Shook succeeded in putting his antagonist
on his back near the cigar stand, Patten's
head narrowly escaping the sharp corner of
the stand in falling. There was then short
struggle on the floor, Patten having hold of
Shook by the ears.
By this time the excitement in the bar
room was intense, bringing Manager
Vernan and the hotel help on the
scene. These quickly separated the COM
batants, Patton being elected from the
barroom and Shook taken to his room
to have his wounds dressed. Later in
the evening Mr.. Shook reappeared for
awhile in the barroom seemingly none the
worse for the encounter. excepting that his
nose was swelled and his cheek was cut.
Since that night, however, he has remained
in his room, and declines to see anyone ex-
cept his intimate acquaintance.
PATTEN NOT TO BE SEEN.
At Mr.. Patterns Office it was stated today
that he had gone to his residence in New
Jersey, but would probably be in New York
Monday next.
1t is understood that the cause of the en-
counter dates back to last winter. Mr..
Shook. it appears, was largely interested in
some railroad legislation at Albany which
failed of passage, and it is alleged he in
duced Mr.. Patten to advance money on Sc
curities which could not be negotiated in
consequence Of the failure of the measure
which Mr.. Shook was urging at the. State
capital.
Mr.. Patten is a wealthy builder of this
city, and he and Mr.. Shook have been init
mate for many years. Mr.. Patten was re-
Gently married to the widow of the late
William Floyd, for many years stage man
ager of Wallaek's Theater. He set
tied 100000 on his wife Just previous
to his marriage. He built the new sum-
mer hotel, Hotel Avenel, on Pleasure Bay.
a mile back of Long Branch, and has done
much to beautity and enrich that locality.
A son of Mr.. Patten by former wife, and
three daughters of Mrs Patten by her first
husband Zone of them the wife of George
BonIface, Jr }, are on the stage.