New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-10-29
SROT BY 4 RUFFIAN HE BEFRIENDED.
A BENEVOLENT TAILOR NAY DIE FROM THE
BULLET OF AN EX-CONvICT.

A BENEVOLENT TAILOR NAY DIE FROM THE
BULLET OF AN EX-CoYvICT.
Matthew Ilarkin eX-convict, put the crown on
life OF crime yesterday, when he sent bullet Into
the body Of the man who had befrended him. From
his boyhood Larbn never worked when he could steai
and has spent the last twenty years alternately IN
prison and in the barroom. In his wife he found q
fitting partner and she has made frequent trips to
Blackwers Island The wretched place in which they
lived at No. Io2 LerOy-st constantly enivened
by their drunken fights Nearly ten years ago Laran
stabbed a man in a drunken quarrel, and Tor THIS
received five years ip Sing Sing. Only year ago,
aided By his strong Tammany pull he ran one OF the
worst dives in the city at Hudson and Tenth sts.
When the police were compelled to close up this den,
Ills Tammany pull again helped him. this time TO
post IN the Street Cleaning Department But the love
OF drink which had grown him with years was
stronger than the Tammany pull and drove MIN on 10
the streets. Lately he has been almost constantly
drunk, and loitsred around the rear doors OF
restaurants and nft-rate liquor stores in the chance
OF begging few cents.
One BY one oil Larkn's former friends had dropped
hlm. oil except one This james Walsh. who ran
taor's store at No. $50 Beecker-st, where he lived
with his eight children. Two weeks ago his wife
died. Walsh had known Larkin for many years, and
never let him go hungry penniless while he him
SELF had dollar to spare. Within the last few weeks
Walsh had allowed Larkn to sleep IN the store. But
LarR1n, drunk ana aDomnaOly III nv
habits had become object so repusive and nosome
to every sense that Walsh compelled 70 order
him away from the house. Late on Thursday after
NOON Iarln entered tho store and demanded lodging
for the night lie drunk. usual, and Walsh
told him TO clear out Yesterday morning he again
turned up and this time driven out. 1t was
Just tho afternoon when he appeared for the
third time His face lvid and he trembled like
leaf in the wind. without word he walked into
closet at the rear OF tie store but almost immediately
came out again, and stumbled toward the door Walsh
at this moment stood by one OF the cutters tables.
Larkin's eve fell on Walsh He stopped and gazed
steadily at him for a moment. and then slowly saun-
tered I'D 10 the table. No noticed tie hand
cropping IN the hip pocket His purpose was not re-
vsaled until he put one hand on Walsh's shoulder,
and with the other pressed TIE muzzle Of revolver
10 his right side There was a report, sroan and
Walsh dropped to the ground with bullet IN the
abdomen. For an instant Larkin stood gazing calmly
down the writing FORM and then falling on his
knees screamed - didn't to do it Goodby!'
Four workmen had stood by and watched tie
SLAUGHTER stricken motionleSs. But Larhn's cry
broke the spell OF horror which bound them and they
rushed from the place. Policeman Richard Fortham
was patroling the post. and running into the store
seized Larkin and sent hurry ambulance call TO
St Vincents Hospital. When Walsh carried out
to the ambulance he said. pointing TO Larhin. That
Is the man who tried to murder me. had not
harmed him. The shot fired deliberately
Iarkn protests that the shooting was accidental,
6ut no one believes his story. Ills bullet lodged In
Walsh's intestines. Laparotomy performed, but
the wounded man IS almost certain to die