The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-12-09
ASSAULTED WTTHA RATCHET.
A CRAMPS ATTEMPT ON TIE LIFE, OF
CHAIRMAN EDWARD MURPHY.
His Purpose discovered .Jost IN Time TO
Prevent its Execution--Mr. Murphy Not
Much Hurt-lnis Assnilant Coptured.

Hts Purpose discovered Just In Time to
Prevent Ns Exccution--Mr Murphy Not
Much Hurt-llis AssniIant Coptared.
Troy. Doc. S-The Hon. Edward Murphy. Jr.,
Chairman OF tho Dem ocratic State Committee.
had close call for his lie this afternoon at
the hands Of a crank II Is Mr.. Murphy's daily
custom to leave his Office on Ferry street
about IL o'clock to 60 to his home on Fifth
avenue for luncheon. He reached his homo
this afternoon about lao o'clock. aud was
about to ascend the stoop when hurrying foot
steps behind attracted his attention. Turning
quickly he saw tall young man with hatchet
uplifted about to deal him blow. Mr. MUIR
ply lodged. and the weapon struck him .
glancing blow on the right side OF the neck.
making a slight abrasion Of the skin and
breaking his linen collar
Mr.. Murphy at once grappled with his as
sailant and sought to obtain possession OF
the Ratchet Falling in this he clenched his
right hand and dealt the man blow between
tho eyes. sending him sprawling into tho
roadway. The man dropped the hatchot as
he fell.
Meanwhile many persons had noticed tho
ARRAY. among them John J. Kenna, member
Of the Board of School Commissioners. and
Thomas Quinn. They seized the would-be
assassin rs he regained his feet He resisted
and was struck once or twice Then he was
turned over to Policeman Tobin. and taken to
tho Second precinct station house. where a
charge Of assault In the first degree was made
against him. At the station house the prisoner
was recognized as Daniel Murphy. who
was recently released from tho insane
asylum at Poughkeersie. He Is about %
years old nearly ak feet tall. and we'll built
He Is naturally Of an ugly disposition and has
often been arrested for assaulting his wife,
To save him from term in tho Albany Peni-
Tertiary for one Of these assaults his brother
In August last had him committcdto the Hud-
son River State Hospital us an insane patient
When socn in his cell by a Sun reporter tho
prisoner talked In IL rambling way. He denied
that no had assaulted the ex-Afayor who he
declared. had through others done him many
beors hs he
ing for Chairman Murphy all day About Q
Jamss oaipn's saieon who're be You'd Be
~ to IND Mr. Murphy Tho
sS a 9as ne o' %enf to n
peared At Nj; Murphy's residence, 9nd was in
Mt at home Twice within tho next hour he
Res 1H M GSs
the way, Then he. said no would wait. It Is
s,,rnosed that h. then secretcd himself H. and
hiding place and made the attack.
In July Inst. when under the influence Of
liquor. the prisoner entered James Geoghans
pawnsllop on Congress street aud asked to 500
revolver. and cartridges When they wero
produced he loaded the revolver and shot
toward the river. His pursuers lost trace Of
him. and 1t was supposed he had drowned
hims II. hut the next day no was found in bed
at hi. brothers. home.
Chairman Murphy took the assault to-day
very coolly. and hurried into his house as soon
Then he put on another collar and had lunch.
con: and during, the afternoon attended to
business as usual, Mr. Murphy says he does
not know his assailant. never saw him before
to his knowledge. and cannot assign any
reason for tho attempt on his life.