Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-10-27
MYSTERIOUS MURDER.
An Ex-Alderman of Chicago Shot
and Mortally Wounded.
THE ASSASSIN A NOTED GAMBLER.
Strange Reticence of Numerous Witnesses
to the Tragedy.
TIE POLICE IGNORANT OF THE AFFRAY

CHICAGO, October 26.-Ex-Alderman
William P. Whelan was shot and mortally
wounded early this morning by George H.
Hathaway, a gambler. The tragedy oc-
Cured at.4 this morning in Mat Hogau's sa-
loon and restaurant, on State street, a rem
devious for the sporting element.
At about II o'clock Saturday evening the
ex-AIderman, in company with John Nc
Ginnis, an officer in the employ of the
Health Department, went into Hogan s
saloon and called for champagne. They
had been drinking freely all evening, and
at the time were under the influence of
liquor. Hogan Joined them and they drank
bottle after bottle. inviting all acquaint-
ances, who dropped in the meantime. to
join them. At about 3:45 o'clock the trio,
in company with another man, sat down at
a table to have lunch and called for
another bottle of wine.
HATHAWAY PULLS HIS REVOLVER.
They we're chatting quietly when George
81. Hathaway came in and stood at the bar
for few minutes to pay bill. Whelan
called him back and asked him to have a
drink. At first he hesitated, but finally sat
down, and taking a long range 48 caliber
Colts revolver from his pocket, began
twirling it around under the noses
OF the others. The ex-Alderman told him
a gentleman, and added that unless be did
so, he would make him. At this, Hathaway
jumped up just as Whelan made grab for
his gun, and pointing it straight at him
said:
well, ii you want it, take it." He then
pulled the trigger.
The ball took effect in the left side imme-
diately over the groin, passed through the
abdomen, shattered the spine and came out
at the back. The Alderman threw up his
hands and fell upon the floor, saying: 81 am
bored clean through and am done for.'
WALKS CooLLY AWAY.
After the shooting Hathaway walked
calmly away and was neither seen nor
heard from for several hours. Hogan called
carriage. and in company with McGinnis
conveyed the wounded man to the Michael
Reese Hospital, where they left him to the
care of the physicians. The police
were not notified, AID didn't learn of
when through common report it came
to their knowledge. Mrs. Whelan was noti-
fed OF her husbands condition by Mat
Hogan. The above is the story as related
by an eye witness. Many others refused to
talk.
AS soon as the police learned of the shoot
ing and of Whelan's condition, every effort
was made to capture the perpetrator Of the
deed, but it was not until after 1 o'clock in
the afternoon that the detectives ran across
him on Clark street bridge. When taken to
the Central station he was closeted for near
ly two hours with Chief Marsh and Lieu
L.,
statement of the shooting, which the police
refuse to diEulge.
THE HEALTH OFFICER ARRESTED.
Whelan died at 2:55 o'clock in the after
noon, but Hathaway was not informed of
his death. John McGinnis, the Health
Officer who was at the table drinking al the
time. was also placed under arrest. McGin-
mis- refused to say word about the shoot
ing, declaring innocence.
Reporters were admitted into Hathaway's
presence. In answer to their questions, the
murderer said he was a gambler, and that
there was no trouble between him and
WheIan to speak of, but alleged that
WheIan had once insulted him. He re-
fused to say anything about the shooting, |
and abruptly closed the interview. After |
ward a reporter was accorded second in |
terview, and this time he said: SCI was at |
tackled by Whelan and had to shoot him.
81 was standing at the end of the bar when |
all of sudden up jumped McGinnis, who |
had been sitting at table eating lunch with |
Whelan, and comes at me. 1 told him to
keep of, but he kept at me and had to de-
fend myself" He denied ever having
gambling difficulty with his man.
After the shooting, Hogan, the proprietor
of the place. accompanied the wounded man |
to the hospital, and when found at o'clock, |
was very reticent. He said there was but |
little talk between the men, but that little |
" "a loud