The morning call., 1892-03-01
PROBABLY FATAL.
A Jackknife Plunged Into James
Flynn's Lungs.
Thomas II. Douglass, an Inspector Of Gus.
toms, Commits an Unprovoked Assault
in Sight Of Fifty People.

Polk street, near Vallejo. was the scene of
an unprovoked stabbing ARRAY at o'clock
yesterday afternoon.
Over fifty people were on the street at the
time, and Notwithstanding their yells for
the ass ailant to desist, Thomas H. Douglass
plunged a dirkknife into the lungs of James
Flynn.
Flynn is an employee in the City aud
County Surveyors Office, and is now lying
at deaths door in his homo at 1903 Hyde
street
Flynn and another employe OF the Sur
yeyor's Office named Dennis Green, went
into saloon at the northeast corner of Polk
and Pacific streets TO take drink, and
while, imbibing some beer were ap-
preached by Douglass, who was slightly
under the influence of liquor and
very boisrerous. He wanted Flynn and
Green to drink with him, but they took no
notice of him and soon left the saloon, but
were followed by Douglass.
THE sTABBING.
They started along Polk street, and ac-
yelled at them and ran up to them
and challenged them to fight, draw
ing from his pocket at the same time a big
jackknife: Flynn and Green started to run,
and Douglass pursued, knife in hand. When
lie got near Flynn he made q stab at him.
Green says he was so excited that he did
not think at the time that Flynn had been
struck. He picked up brick and kept
circling around Douglass, making motions
all the time as IL to hurl it at his head. He
did not throw it, fearing that If he missed his
mark he would be defen seless and would be
stabbed to death. Finally Douglass dropped
the knife and Green yelled to Flynn to pick
1t up. Flynn did not, for he was bleeding
profusely, and some one yelled to him
~ cure stabbed!'
A SERIOUS WOUND.
large crowd had gathered by this time,
Douglass having walked of. Flynn was
then escorted to drugstore at the corner Of
Polk and jackson streets.
Doctors MahoDey and Perrault were called
to attend him, but could not succeed in
stanching the flow of blood. which was
weakening Flynn perceptibiy. They
washed the blood from the wound, which is
deep cash over and to the right of the
heart, and, binding it up as best they could,
sent Flynn home.
ARREST OF DOUGLASS.
Sergeant HartOn and Officer Lansford
went to the scene of the stabDing, and being
told that Douglass had gone down Pacific
street, fastened along, aud overtaking him
placed him under arrest. He was charged
with An assault with deadly weapon, and
last night was released on 5000 bonds. To-
day he will be rearrested and charged with
an assault to murder, which charge Is more
than likely to develop finally into one of
murder, as late last night Flynn was still
suffering with hemOrrhages, and DIR. Ma
honey entertained very little hope for his
recovery.
Several women and number OF firemen
OF Engine s, which is located near the
scene of the stabblng, corroborate Green's
statement.
THE STORY DOUGLASS TELLS.
Douglass, who is man about 80 years of
age, to CALL reporter denied the stabbng,
and said: II was going home and dropped
into a saloon on Polk street to get a
drink. got into controversy
with two men, but not wishing
10 keep 1t up, left the saloon. They fol-
lowed me ont and wanted to fight. One of
them drew knife on me, and | struck him
IN the face. then got away from them and
walked of, and Go not know why i was ar
rested. When / saw one of the men in the
drugstore lie was bleeding from 4 stab in
the side. l had only two broken penkniyes
on NE when arrested. and the blades were
ali covered with tobacco"
Douglass Is the son Of Police Captain
Douglass, and was at one time on the
police force. He was dismissed about a
year ago for brutally assauting an aged
woman after dark. Douglass nearly killed
man named Cramer in a saloon brawl
several years ago. OF late he has passed
bis time as United States Inspector of
Customs.
Flynn is very respectable and inoffen-
slye young man, and bears an excellent
reputation generally.