The morning call., 1892-08-02
4 MURDEROUS blow.
Free Fight at the Sunday Drill
of Truck B.
Tilernan Otto Has HIS Skull Nearly Frac-
tured-Distriet Engineer Dolan Severely
sluggsd-The Assailants Arrested.

Bad blood has been brewing for some
time between Thomas Hess, a member Of
truck 8. on Post and Fillmore streets, and
NJ. j. Dolan. district engineer. 1t arose
cut OF complaints made by residents about
tie rowdy conduct of frequenters of the
saloon on the corner OF these streets, where
Hess is bartender. Dolan. it is said,
warned the members against this saloon,
which Tiled Hess. Since then blood has
been In his eye and he has been watching
for an opportunity TO give vent 10 his teel-
ings. The opportunity occurred Sunday
morning while the men were at drill at the
corner Of Laguna and Grove streets. Frank
Becker, the foreman, ordered Hess, who
was under the influence of liquor, TO assist
in raising the ladder Hess gave him
vile answer and refused to obey the order
Becker promptly suspended him. but be
would not go away and struck Becker in
the face. Dolan interfered and ordered
him eff. This incensed Hoss and he slugged
DOlan. William Otto. tillerman, rushed to
Dolan's assistance. and Hess Taned blow
after blow upon the faces Of both DOlRn
and Otto till the latter's looked like a beef
steak
GALLAGHER MAKES An ATTACK.
Jim Gallagher. who had recently been
DISCHARGED from truck for incompetence
and drunkenness, took hand Ia the fight,
and helped n balterng the faces of Dolan
and Otto. BY this time a large crowd had
gathered, and the contestants were sep
arated, but not before Hess got smash in
ne mouth from hammer thrown by some
body IN the crowd.
When the truck started homeward after
the drill was over, Gallagher sneaked up
behind Dolan and aimed blow at him with
a spauneT. Otto. who saw Dolan's danger,
shouted to him 10 look out. DOan ducked
his head in time 70 escape the murderous
blow. Otto made rush at Gallagher, who
swung the spaDner over his head and
brought it down with terrific force on the
back Of poor Otto's head, almost fracturlng
bis skull and knocking him senseless to the
ground. Hess and Gallagher then made
break and escaped from the vengeance of
the crowd.
The police patrol-wagon had been sum-
moned, but it arrived too late to arrest the
eowardly assaiants. Otto was teDderly
placed in carriage and driven to his home
in the Western Addition, where medical
assistance was promptly secured. He is
pOw lying In precaTiOus condition but
hopes are entertained that be will pull
through. DClan had several ugly cuts on
bis face, which was covered with blood.
THE TROUBLE NOT OVER
The trouble was, however, not yet over
When the truck returned from the fire on
Sunday night at 927 Brannan street, a crowd
of ronghs had gathered Mt the truckhouse
Among them were Thomas O'Neil, Edward
Nagle and Pat Sullivan, friends of Hess.
They were spelling for fight, and when
Dolan asked them TO 90 about their bust
ness O'Neil struck him in the face. The
fremen rushed 10 Dolan's assistance and
quickly cleared out the gang.
O'Neil was arrested yesterday on A charge
of battery and Nagle and Sullivan for dis
turbing the peace. Hess walked into the
Office of the Fire Commissioners. yesterday
morning and surrendered his badge. Chief
Engineer Dennis Sullivan Immediately ar
rested him on two charges Of battery.
Gallagher was also arrested and will be
charged for an assault with deadly
weapon.
Both hosemen and truekmen feel keenly
The outcome Of the disgraeelul affair." They
say IL is all owing to the saloon on the cor
ner, where q bad gang are constantly hang
Ing around.