St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-09-06

ed in Mystery--Gist of Skahill's
Story.
Deputy Coroner Xanten decided last
evening to hold pOst-mortem OH the
body Of George j. McNellis, who died
suddenly at his home on Annapolis
street Monday night. DR.. Beale. who
was called shortly before McNellls died,
announced after his death that he would
mold an autopsy yesterday morning.
This, however, was objected to by the
father and relatives of McNellis, and
arrangements made for the funeral.
Last evening Deputy Coroner Xanten
was informed that McNellis had en-
gagged in dispute with man who was
working for him a short time before his
death. and during the dispute McNelliS
was struck and knocked down. On re-
ceipt of this information DR.. Xanten
notified the family that the body would
have to be held until after post-mortem
had revealed the cause of death.
McNellis, in addition to being police
officer, had purchased from Thomas
Reilly the contract for sprinkling the
streets on the West side, and it was
with one of the men employed by him
to drive wagon that he had the alter
cation.
sKAHILL's STORY.
Eugene Skahill was arrested last
evening, and is being detained in the
Ducas street police station to await an
investigation as to the cause of Nc
Nellis' death. No charge has been pre-
ferred against Skahill, but he was ar
rested by direction of Chief Garvin.
The man was found asleep in bunk of
one of the Ducas cells last night when a
GLOBE reporter called and asked 10 see
him.
Sergeant McGrath had some difficulty
in arouSing the man, so soundly was he
sleeping. After getting his eyes open
and being told that the reporter desired
to hear what he had to say about his
arrest and what he knew about the
death Of McNelIis. SkabiH talked in a
free and natural way about dispute he
had with the dead policeman. The
story he told is as follows:
had been driving a sprinkling cart
for McNellis. and he discharged me Sat
urday night, and told me to come
around to his house Monday evening
and he would pay me. l went to his
house as he asked me, but found he was
not at home went down street to the
corner of State and Concord, where l
found him in a saloon driking. He
was not on duty, having been on
day turn and got off at 6 o'clock.
1t was about 8 O'clock when l found
HIN. l went up to him and told him
that had been up to his house and did
not find him. He told me that he was
going home in few minutes, but
for me to come up the next night and he
would pay me. asked him what he
was going to pay me, whether it would
be S65 or $50 per month for driv-
ing the sprinkler. He told me that
he was not going to pay me more than
$50 and called me bad name and said,
not treat me right He pulled his gun
and said something, but did not think
he intended to shoot, and pushed his
hand away. There was crowd stand
ing around at the time. When he called
Inc the hard name | said: That is all
right; you are a gentleman We kept
on talking and he said he would ar
rest me. He took hold of me and led me
to the police box. He had hole of my
arm and tore my shirt. jerked loose,
tearing the sleeve out of my shirt. He
then said he did not want to lock me up,
as it would cost me S25 in the police
court. After talking while longer he
said he was going home and, after ask
ing me to come up the next night and
get my pay, he left and went home.
| That was about O'clock"
DID NOT STRIKE HIM.
Skahill denied having struck McNellis
at any time, and said he saw nothing
wrong with the policeman except that
he had been drinking. Skahill was
asked if he knew OF the death of Nc
Nellis. and said that he did. When he
was arrested he was Oh Bunker street
about 9 O'clock last evening. He had
been hunting for work. When taken in
charge by an officer he asked to be
taken home to tell his wife. This was
done, and he was then locked up.
Skahill talked freely to the police about
the matter, and detailed the same story
given to the GLOBE reporter.
When 1t was learned that crowd was
about the saloon where the dispute
arose two officers were detailed to make
Inquiries as to what had occurred of the
persons who were mentioned as being
about the saloon. Skahill has the repu-
tation of being quiet person, and he
made no resistance when taken in GUS
tOdy. When the reporter was about to
leave, the man asked what was to be
done with him and how long he would
be kept waiting. The reporter was un-
able to inform Skahill on the subject.
and left him still drowsy from the et-
fects of his recent sleep.