Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-10-22
BLINDED HIS COMPANIONS.
Henry Schmidt, q Broadway Car Conductor,
Threw sulphur Acid in q Rage.


New YORK, Oct. 22.-Henry Schmidt, the
Broadway car conductor who threw a liquid
supposed to be suiphuric acid in the faces OF
three fellow conductors last night in front Of
the receivers Office in 9th avenue between 5Oth
and 5lst streets, was arraigned in court this
morning.
Schmidt admitted that he threw the acid. but
entered plea of self-defense He is a small
man. twenty-five years Of age, who had been
working on the Broadway line since the begin
ming OF August. He says that he has been the
butt of the coarse JOKES of the men ever
since he first went TO work on the line because
he Is Hebrew. He states that he has never
fought with them, but has tried to be peaceable
and has avoided the men as much as possible.
A week ago be was assaulted by his driver
Philip hean, and knocked down. He asked
permission at police headquarters to carry a
revolver for seif-defenso. This was denied
him. He told his fellow-workmen that no
would no longer submit to their i'll treatment.
He said he had bottle of acid in his pocket
which would burn hole clear through them,
and he would use it on the first man that both
cred him. The men considered this an idle
threat and redoubled their prosecutions says
Schmidt
He had an eight-ounce bottle nearly full of
sulphuric acid at his home, POP Stanton street.
which he purchased several months ago, he
says. to use for his toothache. He had been
tLdt uIcp Ol sulpnuT1C aclQ, Wlen placed
on bit of cotton and applied to the hollow
tooth, would make it stop aching. He carried
the bottle in the inner vest pocket of his coat
Yesterday he says he worked all day, and in
the evening. when he returned to the stables,
he was met by the three conductors who APP
peared against him this morning.
Their names are Michael Graham, Joseph
Lyons and John Treanor. They were standing
in front of the receivers Office as he came
up to turn in his report. Graham
made an insulting remark as he
passed them, he says. He made no
Graham stepped up to him and told him,
Schmidt says, that he would teach him to reply
to gentleman when he spoken to.
Graham, he alleges. had been idle
all day and had been drinking.
Graham struck him, he SAYS. in the face with
his fist and knocked him senseless. He exhib-
tied one ride of his face rs evidence. 1t was
much bruised and swollen. He lay for several
minutes, he says, and was beaten and kicked by
Graham.
He finally managed to get up and fearing that
his life was in danger he took the bottle of acid
from his pocket and drawing the cork threw its
contents Mt Graham. The other two sprang to
wrest the bottle from him and received some of
the acid In their faces. Graham the most
seriously burned of the three. Schmidt ran
down the street. pursued by several OF the en-
ployes, and was captured by Policeman Mallon.
When he saw the policeman he threw the bot
tie away.
SCHMIDT CONTRADICTED.
The story told by the three conductors was
directly contrary to that of Schmidt. They
allege that he has swindled several OF them out
of money by sharp practices and when spoken
to has threatened to throw acid on them il
he was not let alone. They say they we're
standing in a group in front of the receiver s
office when Schmidt approached. They accused
him of sharp practice, and Schmidt, who is Of
very quick temper. became enraged, and. draw
ing the bottle, threw its contents over them and
ran
They screamed with pain and Schmidt ran
off. A hurry call was sent for an en-
bulauce by the policeman who made the
arrest and the injured men were taken
to Bellevue Hospital. Graham was badly
burned about the face and neck. Some of
the acid went into his eyes. 1t is feared that
he may lose the sight of one Of them. Treanor
and Lyon were burned about the face, but not
seriously. Graham exhibited handkerchief
which he had used to wipe the acid off his face.
1t was burned full of holes.
Schmidt entered plea of not guilty on the
ground that he threw the acid in self defense
He asked for an examination and it was set
down for Monday at O'Clock He was COM
mitted to Jail in default Of 81 900 bail