Morning journal and courier., 1890-03-17
SHOT lN EAST ROCK PARK.

Park Policeman Michael Connolly
 Accidentally Shoots one of Three.
 Tipsy Rioters at 2 O'clock Tn she
 Morning.
 James Ryan, Hugh Reynolds and James enjoying themselves immensely on Saturday night. All live in the vicinity of Hamilton and Wallace streets. Shortly before 12 o'clock they were in Sheehan's saloon at the upper end of Hamilton street, and as the time for closing drew near, they began to dislike the prospect of being turned out into the world at the early hour of 12 o'clock. One of them proposed journey to the top of East Rock, and to this the other two as- scented with slacrity. They accordingly se- cured few bottles of whiskey and set out upon a tramp up the snow covered paths to the summit of East Rock Park. When they arrived at the top, they went to the pavilion, which overlooks the edge, and began to en. joy themselves with dancing and singing, and other jovial amusements.
 When 3 o'clock Sunday morning came around and they had been at the lively spot about an hour, Park Policeman Michael Con- molly happened to pass along View street at the foot of the rock. He heard the racket and started up the rock to investigate. He had heard early in the evening that cock fight was to be held somewhere in the vicin- ity and supposed the noise he heard came from the progress of this affair. He ap- preached the top with difficulty, and as he neared the pavilion he thought from the hubbub that there must be at least a dozen men were wrangling over some matter. Not knowing what he might encounter, he drew his revolver, which was of thirty-two calibre, and slowly approached the boisterous trio. They did not cease their vocal exercise till the officer was upon them. He saw their condition and began to question them upon their presence at the lonely place at 30 untimely an hour. He placed one hand upon Ryan's shoulder while talking. and before he knew it some sudden movement upon Ryan's part caused him to involuntarily press the finger which held the trigger of his pistol. The weapon fired and Ryan staggered back wards. "Great Godl" cried the officer, "What have donea' The two young men toxication by the shook, and the officer was assisted by them in examining Ryan. They found the bullet had entered at his neck and there was hole directly behind his head, where it had passed >out. It was with the greatest difficulty that the three men carried the body of Ryan down the snow-covered surface of the rock. The paths were 30 lost in the snow that they lost their way several times. Ryon was not dead but was very weak and they did not know how seriously he had been injured. They were forced to carry him to Rock Lane before the officer could reach point where he could telephone to the police headquarters for the patrol wagon. This soon arrived, but the way down the rock had been accom plished with 80 much difficulty and delay that 1t was after o'clock when the party arrived with Ryan at his homo on Hamilton street.
 Dr. Luby was called and hs found that Ryan was very weak from the loss of blood. The wound was not dangerous one and the doctor thinks that the young man will re- cover from sts effects within a few weeks, unless inflammation sets in. The strain upon his nerves for the three hours following the shooting was very severe.
 a The young men do not attach the least blame to the officer. They think the shoot- ing was entirely accidental. Officer Con- molly is much affected by the unfortunate accident. The affair is an unfortunate one, and there seems 10 ques.ion bas that 1t was eutiEely accidental,