Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-14
SVOT BY A POLICEMAN.
william Brennan and HE Wife Of Jersey
City the Victims.


City the Victims.
JERSEY CRY, N. j., July 14-Wm. Brennan
aged 80. and his wife Lizzie were shot at their
home. No. % Gray street, Jersey City Heights
about l o'clock this morning by Policeman
John V. Ryersou. Brennan was killed out
right His wife was shot in the abdomen, and
although she was able to walk to the city hos
pitaI, three blocks away she was mortally hurt
It is doubtful whether she can live more than
q few hours Officer Ryerson claims that he
had to Use his pistol to save his own life.
Brennan was driver by occupation and
was notorious for his ugly temper and
to answer two charges of atrocious
assault. One case covered beating of his
brother-in-law, Daniel Coventry, and the lat
ter's wife. The other was for stabbing a man
named Davis during drunken fight about
three weeks ago. Officer Ryersor who killed
him. served the warrant issued upon Coventry
complaint and thus incurred Brennan's ire.
This mornings tragedy was the bloody out
come of murderous assault upon the police
man. Mrs Brennan also took part in the as
sault upon Ryerson.
The scene Of the shooting was little two
story frame house, into which police officers
had frequently been called to suppress fights
or to arrest the head of the household
The story, related by witnesses is as fol-
lows: Mary Bulger, niece of Brennan's, was
married on Sunday, July S, to Christopher
Wilson, a driver employed by the Dodd and
Childs Express Company. The couple went
away on brief wedding tour and upon return
ing to Jersey City began housekeeping across
the street from Bennans home. Last night q
number Of drivers employed by the express
company visited the young couple. They
brought with them several kegs OF beer and
had good time generally in the house and on
the adjoining lots. Brennan and his wife
joined the merrymakers and things ran
along nicely until about midnight, when Brennan
was accused Of carrying can full of beer to
and fight followed While il was going on a
number of the party we're singing upstairs in
Wilson's house. Among them was John Coyne
Of Baldwin avenue. They came down to the
street when they heard the noise of the fight
ing Coyne had barely reached the door when
he was felled with a bottle and badly cut about
the head.
He was leaning against picket fence when
Policeman Ryersen. who had been attracted by
the row. came along. James b. Hughes Of Is
Oakland avenue, one Of the express drivers.
pointed out Brennan's nineteen-year old
nephew John Lawler, as being Coyne's assailant.
Ryerson arrested Lawler and was promptly
bounced upon by Brennan. wh1swore that the
boy should rot be arrested by any man alive. A
struggle followed, during which Lawler broke
away and ran through an alley to the rear
entrance of Brennan's house. Ryerson when
he got away from Brennan, ran after Lawler.
He had to burst open a door which the youth
was holding shut to get him again. Bren-
nan and his wife had rushed after the
policeman, and all three attacked
him inside the house. In describing what fol-
lowed Young Lawler said: when Ryerson got
me the second time grabbed his arms from
| behind and held him tight. My uncle took the
officer by the throat, saying: IN kill you now.
Mrs. Brennan came in with big stick and hit
| Ryerson two OF three times on the head. Twas
pushed back and had to let 60 Of Ryerson's
! arms. then turned and ran out. Then ]
heard two shots fired. 1t was an awful time.
and saw my uncly lying dead. 1 was told that
Mrs. Brennan had also been shot and had gone
10 the city hospital The blood on my shirt
came from Ryerson's nose as he rolled over on
the floor. He was lying on the floor and my
uncle had him by the throat when I ran out
| Just before the shots were fired"