New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-03-06
RABBI II. =. MENDES SHOT.
SERIOUSLY WOUNDED BY A BEGGAR.
A NAEAw ESCAPE FTpM DEhTH-HE HAD OFTEN
BEFRIENDED THE WRETCH, BUT DECLINED

BEFIENDED THE WRETCH. BUT DECLINED
TO GIVE HIM ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS.
The Rev Dr. Henry Pereira Mendes, one of the
most popular and best known Hebrew rabbls
in this city, is the latest victim OF the dlsap-
pointed seeker after aims.
A shot fired at him at : o'clock last night by
a man whom he had several times bcfriended In
ficted wound from which DR.. Mendes is likely TO
! suffer acutely for many months That II did not
Immediately prove fatal is no fault of the who
fired il.
For ten years DIR. Mcndes has had charge of the
handsome synagogue at Nnteenth-st and Fifth
ave, known a. Shearith Israel This synagogue is
supported by the leading Spanish and Poru-
guese Hebrews of this city Like most men
in his position, DR.. Mcndcs is constantly
worried by hundreds Of applications Tor assistance
from poor Hebrews. many Of whom make pro-
fession Of begging. Among the latter class
Jose Messachki, swarthy, dark-eycd, herce-oolI
ing man. whe had been in this country for many
years, but about whom appears to
know much. He belonged to DR.. Men
dess congregation. and had several
times asked for and obtained relief This sys-
TEN of begging was apparently his only means of
livelihood lie had tried each Of the Hebrew
synagogucs and only few days ago asked for
and obtained from the United Hebrew Charities
ticket to Texas which he promptly sold
Lately Or. Mendcs had grown tired Of the
beggar's opportunities. and fatty refused
to give him any money. On
Friday afternoon Messachld called at DR..
Mendess home, No West Ninth-st., bnt was
turned out Of the house He was not seen again
until last night during the FoDgress of the sat
urday night service, when some of the congrega-
,if Lie tba cid III
side the synagogue.
DR.. Mcndcs started for his home at O'Clock
With him. Abraham Eissman. a chorus-boy
who carried some books. Behind them at few
yards distance WAS Mcssachki. When the Doctor
reached his home and stepped into the hall
MerSachN run up the steps behind
him, and before Or. Mendcs could close the
door, forced his way into the hall.
The only persons in the house at thnt time were
Mrs. MendcS, who upstairs and Dora IIoif
meyer, Kate Brady and Lena Pichard, three ser
wants, who were in rhe kitchen. Just what fol-
lowed after DR. Mendcs and Messachki got into
the hall is not known. The only witness 10 the
shooting is little Essman. and he could not bc
found. The family too, did their best 10 Oh
struct Police Captain Ryan, Detective Sullivan
and the police Of the Fifteenth Precinct in their
efforts No get the facts 1t is, however, known
thnt as they entered the nall McSSayhKl -all an
grily
DR. Mcndes, want hunxrd dollars, ami
want II badly
DR. Mendes's reply was a point blank refusal
Then Mre. Mcndes upstairs and the girls in the
kitchen heard the voices Of the two men raised
in a quarrel. which grew ficrccr and fcrcer, until
the house and the street rang with pistol shot.
Then there was groan and heavy fall.
Kate Brady the first of the girls to recover her
self-possession, and she ran uretairs'to the hall
Just as Mrs Nendes- screaming with fright. ran
down from the bedroom. Kate Brady was just in
time 10 see McsSachds coat he dartcd
through the door, down the steps OF
the house and away. Mrs. Mendcs
saw nothing but her husband who lay groaning
in the hall.
I'm shot" he said family, pressing his hand
10 his abdomen. I've got my death"
Within few minutes DR. Partridge. of Ne
- fifthayc. and DR.. Dorm. of no 81 West
1enth-st.. were in the house, ana
they were quickly followed by Drs
\. Smith. On examination il was found
that the bullet had entered the left side of the
abdomen, but by some strange chance, had glanced
of md embedded itself in thc flesh. The doctors
decided TO extract the bullet at once and DIR.
Mendes put under the influence Of ether
The great size Of the bullet which would have
Sunlced 70 Kill a, grizzly bear; shovel
that the shot bad probably been fired from an
DR.. McndeS viii, in all probability. recover
He is an Englishmnn, and was born in London
where his family for generations hnvo occupied an
influential position among the Jewish community.
lie Is short and dark. with handsome. clcar-"ut
delicate features Of distinctly Spanish type
During his term OF service in the synagogue hc
has won hosts Of friends and he earned distinction
by his conscientious and untiring work.