Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-12-24
DoG-CATCHER WRIT 1854 Gifted.
He Is Set Upon by Gang Of Italiins and
Badly Beaten.

Badly Beaten.
The career of dog-cateher, II seems, was
not destined to be a cheerful one, if the
experience OF James Il. Writ, who garners
in the CANNES that are wont to stray at
will about the city streets, can be cited as
an illustration. Writ was first appointed
dog catcher by ex-Mayor Harrington, and
when the present mayor took the oath Of
office he was re-appointed.
During the few years that he has served
in the capacity of .dog-catcher, Writ has
not become as popular with the masses as
he might be. Still, he says, this is no
| fault of his, and because he has been dill
gent in freeing the city of many of its
worst specimens Of the canine family, he
says people have sworn to impair his use
fulness as an officer, and more than once
has he been assaulted with murderous
intent. he claims.
About year ago, Writ AYERS, he was as
saulted with club In the hands of Daniel
McKenny, so vigorously that for time
there was doubt rs to whether the assault
would not terminate fatally. Under first
class medical skill, the relentless dog
catcher recovered and re-enterod upon his
duties. He had been in the dog BUSH
ness, as he calls it, but month after this
assault, when he was set upon by gang
Of toughs at Lowering avenue and Van
buren, streets, who assailed him with
bricks.
Writ was knocked down in the street
and lay for nearly half hour unconscious
on the sidewalk. One of the bricks struck
the dog-catcher at the bnse of the spine
permanently injuring him. He was dis
covered in critical condition and covered
with blood and was taken at once to his
home, ut f0ll South Jackson street, where
for a time he lay between life and death.
Although the assault was made in broad
daylight Wirts assailants were never ap.
pretended.
:. The third attack upon the dog-catcher's
life was made on Saturday last by four
Italians from that section In the western
part of the city known as Little Italy"
Writ was on a still hunt for dogs shortly
after noon and had succeeded in capturing
all unregistered dog back of the residence
Of Henry q. Banning, president of the
National Bank of Delaware whose place
Of residence is at Broome and Oak streets.
Writ had captured the animal and was on
his way to the pound with 1t when the
Italians came upon him unawares.
In their native tongue the swarthy for
eigners upbraided the dog-catcher and one
of them promptly dealt him a terrific blow
with his fist telling him to the ground.
Writ says he was no sooner upon his feet
again than one Of the 'dagos" whipped
out long. dangerous-looking knife. and
made stab at him directly over the heart.
Writ partially warded off the blow with
his arm, but the keen blade made u slit six
inches long through his heavy overcoat
and barely reached the skin. He says that
had he not had his inside coat pocket well
Tiled with some documents and large
leather book, he would not now be living.
AS soon as he saw the purpose of the ltal-
lans, Writ says, he reached for his revolver
and desperate struggle ensued. During o
hand-to-hand encounter he knocked one
of his assailants down with the heavy end
of the pistol. Then the frearm was
wrencheI from him and he fell to the
ground second time, under a staggering
blow from one Of the Italians fists. Ris-
ing to his feet again, Writ now made q
desperate effort to recapture the revolver,
which, he claims, he finally did by wrench
ing the weapon from the Italians hand.
Realizing that he was getting the worst of
the struggle and being handicapped by the
quartet Of dark-skinned citizens. Writ says
he opened fire upon them. One of the
Italians fell to the ground with an outcry
and his companions rushed to his side and
bore him away at once.
Writ says he does not know how badly
the man was injured by the shot, but he
was unable to walk. The Italians did not
renew the attack. Writ walked to his
home with much difficulty and since has
been confined to his bed. His body is one
mass of bruises, which, he says, were pro-
duced by the Italians kicking him while
he was down. DIR. Finn, who was sum-
moned to attend the injured man, does not
think that Wirt's injuries will prove fatal,
although he lies In a critical condition.
Writ suys his assailants are known. No
arrests have been made.