The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-12-13
FINED TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS.
j. J. Sullivan's Sentence for Abusing
Ex-Policeman Gahney,


The Gaffney- Sullivan case was the first
case called in the recorders court yester-
day morning. Besides Mr.. Gaffney, Mr..
Sullivan and his counsel, Mr. A. S. Way.
there were present anumber of witnesses.
The case was that resulting from the
episode in the city council chamber last
week in which Sullivan and Gaffney both
figured.
Assistant Chief Reilly was the first
witness, although, as 1T afterward APP
peared, his testimony had no direct bear
ing on the case. On being quest toned by
Mr.. Gaffney, the lieutenant said he heard
Mr.. Sullivan say: THAT man is coward
and liar" When sked if he thought
MIR, Sullivan under the influence of
liquor, he said it might have been either
excitement or drunkenness which
prompted Mr.. Sullivan to use the words.
He wasn't prepared to state positively
what condition Mr. Sullivan was in at
the time. The officer knew nothing more
about the case.
William Mulherin (colored) was the
next witness He testified that Mr.. Sui
livan struck him, for reasons unknown to
him, while he was in the hall, near the
council chamber. II never spoke to Mr..
Sullivan before that night" said Null
herin. Some minutes before the assault
in the case then before council. l said
no. Those were the only words that
passed between us"
John J. Knox said he was present at the
council meeting and occupied a seat in the
upper part of the room. He was APP
preached by Mr.. G. A. Marmelstein, who
said that Mr. Sullivan wanted to see him
in the hall Il rose and was advancing
into the hall, your honor,n said Knox,
when caught sight of pistol in Mr.
Sullivan's hand. jumped back and went
TO my seat" do you state positively
that was a pistol"' was asked by Mr..
Way. Il do" replied Knox. "Can you
tell the court what its make was; whether
it was horse pistol, or Colts revolver,
or what it was} next inquired Mr.. Way.
Il really didn't take time to observe
said Mr. Knox, II didn't want to get
shot" During the examination of
Mr.. Knox by Recorder Wilson, Mr..
Way made an objection. II came
here" he said, ito defend Mr. Sullivan
on charge of abusing Frank Gaffney.
This Knox case hasn't anything to do
with the matter in hand"
We'll, SIR said his honor, 81 am de-
termined to get at the bottom of this mat
ter" Then, turning to the clerk, he said
Mr.. Hernandez enter two more charges
against Mr.. Sullivan, one for assaulting
William Mulherin, and the other for
pointing pistol a John Knox"
Gafney then made his statement. He
said Mr. Sullivan had applied to him the
most opprObrious epithets, and had threat
ened to shoot him. Mr.. Gatfney also
stated that at the time Mir. Sullivan held
the weapon concealed under his hat,
which he held in his left hand, and that
ne heard the clicking of the hammer
as 1t was cooked. On being asked by MIR.
way II he were positive 1t was the click
OF pistol Gahney said he knew it wasn't
watch, and he was ready to swear it
was pistol. He produced Messrs.
Schroeder and Martin Haar as witnesses
70 substantiate his statement that Mr.
Sullivan had cursed him.
Mr. Sullivan said that Gaffney's testi-
mony, especially as regarded his applying
vile terms to him (Gaflney), was false I
did call him a liar and a coward during
the meeting. That 1 will not deny" he
said, but as for my drawing pistol
and cursing this man, it is false
Ihat man Mulherin told me
continued Mr.. Sullivan, THAT for IS he
would not appear before me in this
court. He says l struck him did not.
lie approached me with great familiarity
ana resented his advances by simply
showing him from me. AS regards Knox
VIII state that at the time was not
anxious to make his acquaintance He
oPOhG W me IN Gne nan before Une meet
ing, and l told him not to speak to me. I
afterward regretted my action, and as 1
wanted to apologize to the man, l asked
Mr.; Marmelstein to summon him into the
nall. He stepped forward, and catching
sight of a handkerchief which l had
pound about my hand and which he claims
was a pistol, he drew back seemingly
afraid.
After MIR. Sullivan had finished Mr.
Way made short speech for the defense.
Tie dwelt on all the points of evidence,
and argued that Mr.. Sullivan's actions
were justified in many ways. Mr. Way
SAID that the only direct damaging evi-
9ence to Mr.. Sullivan was his calling Mr..
Carney coward and liar. This charge
ne SAID was denied by neither his client
nor himself.
Recorder Wilson fined Mr.. Sullivan s25
Ior abusing Gatfney, and dismissed the
oIner charges. In all probability an APP
peal to council will be made.