Evening journal., 1892-02-18
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A FEUD ENDS IN MURDE Err
James Harmon Killed by Tar
rytown's Chief Of Police.
THEY WE'RE POLITICAL ENEMIES.

The Tragedy Took Place at the Demo-
cratic Primary Elections The BIen Had
Words in the Polling Place and Harmon
Followed the chief out to Meet Death.
TARRyrowN, N. X, Feb. is AT tho
Democratic primaries, held in Judge Tracy's
Office, on Courtlandt street. this place James
Harmon, lifelong resident Of the village,
was shot and killed BY Chief Of Police
George F. Hackett
The feud which led to the murder Is said
to have been smoldering under the usually
quiet political surface Of Tarrytown for
some time past. There are two Democratic
factions in the village one Of which was
headed by Harmon, while the opponents
carried the banner Of LiYeryman Quinn.
The primaries were held to elect delegates
to the town aud county convention, 20 be
held at Peekskin Both factions were pres
ont in full strength, and both determined
TO have their man go to the convention.
Hannon ia the excitement Of the debate,
raised his voice to it's full force and was
threatened with removal from the meeting
room by Chief Of Police Hackett, who de-
nounoed lannon's behavior as noisy and
heisteroas ana as quite uncalled for A seri-
ous quarrel seemed unavoidable, when Chief
Hackett retired from tho room and went
into the street Harmon Immediately fol-
lowed with the apparent purpose Of renew
ing the quarrel, which Hackett had cut
short by leaving the room. He continued TO
use insulting language aud was replied to By
the chief ia the same strain.
Died While Unconscious.
Hannon was armed with d club and
threatened to use IT, The chief then pulled
his revolver, and when Hnunon's club SEEM
ed about to fan upon his head there was
sudden fash and loud report Hannon threw
up his hands and fell backward upon the
sidewalk
The greatest excitement prevailed among
the large number Of bystanders. Harmon
was taken up from the sidewalk hy solae of
his friends and carried to his home Ia Clin-
ton street, where he lived with bis two
young children. A physician and priest were
Immediately summoned, but arrived too
late to be of any service Harmon died be-
fore either arrived The bali had entered
just below the heart, and he did not recover
/ consciousness.
Harmon was forty-two years 81 age and
was quite well 10 do and prominent in DEM
ocratc politics He was born and brought
up in tho village, He was separated from
! his wife, who also resides at Tarrytown.
His father and three brothers resided with
him and are well known
4 After the shooting Chief Of Police Hackett
( coolly walked down the street to police
: headquarters and attended 60 his official
duties for awhile and then surrendered him
self 20 the town authorities TO await the
action Of the coroners jury. In an inter
view shortly after the affair the chief said:
/ says He shot In self Defense.
"This man had threatened my life on more
| occasions than one. cannot give any rea-
son why he should do 50 except It is politi-
cal enmity, i certainly did not mean to kin
him. Iacted entirely in self defense when
Hannon raised his arm TO smash my head
with his club. l had to protect myself, as
believed my life to be in danger"
Chief Hackett, who has passed all his life
in Tarrytown, bears the highest reputation
as a peaceable cool and collected officer. He
was made chief Of police four years ago and
has held the oiiice without intermission and
I with credit
! About 800 persons attended the primaries,
aud the excitement after the shooting ex-
ceeded all bounds Public opinion is dl-
vided as 10 who is to blame for the killing.
There seems 10 be no doubt that for the
past year or two frequent threats to do each
other bodily harm have been uttered by
I both men
While lannon's friends claim that he had
been provoked by the unwarranted inter-
ruption Of Chief Of Police Hackett, the
latters friends maintain that Hactett show
cd his peaceful purpose by leaving the place
avnidab1a