Evening journal., 1893-07-26
HAD MURDER IN HIM.
James Smith Probably Fatally
Injured BY His Son.
THREE OF HIS RIBS ARE BROKEN

THREE OF HIS RIBS ARE BROKEN
John smith Almost Murders His Aged
Father. at the Latter's Home at FinI
aud Hawley Streets Last Night-A
Broken Rib Entered the Left LunI
From which Death May Result-smIth
Jr., Locked Up In the City Han.
John Smith Is confined in cell of Oh,
first corridor of the City Hall, being helC
without bail to await the results o.
injuries which he inflicted on his father
James Smith, last night.
The younger Smith, who is about 40 years
of age, went to the home Of his father al
| Fifth aud Hawley streets about z o'clocl
in an almost intoxicated condition auC
i began an argument with him about
some trouble which the younger Smitl
had with his sister The argument lee
on until the father started to leave tn,
step on which he was sitting.
Cruelty struck His Father.
He had stepped off the lower steJ
and was about TO 60 into a side yard
when John struck him on the left sid,
Of the head and knocked him TO tn,
ground
Then He Shattered Three Ribs.
After falling he kicked the old mar
who is 20 years of age, in the left
side and broke three ribs. One Of tn,
bro ken bones entered the covering Of
and the lung and tore into the tissue
Prevented From killing Him Outright
Ignatius Smith, neighbor who livei
on the opposite side of Fifth street, cam,
across and prevented Smith from doinl
further injury TO his father The injured
man was taken into the house and DR.
Fahey and priest were summoned
The younger Smith was arrested ant
taken to the police station. No one ap
peared to make a complaint against hin
and he was released.
May BE Tried for His Life.
Officer Ward was informed this morn
ing that the condition Of the eide
Smith was dangerous. He at one
started a search for the son. The latte
was found lying under tree in Silver
, brook about 80 this morning and wa
, Immediately placed under arrest an
taken to the City Hall He was al
raigned In the Municipal Court an
held without bail to wait the result o
Mr.. Smiths injuries.
The injured man is a fagman In th
employ of the Wilmington and Norther
. railroad beyond Third street bridge Fc
many years he was employed at the DJ
: Pont powder works. He has alway
been known as a peaceable citizen.
The son has been a resident Of thi
city for several years and for a lon
time kept a grocery store at Fifth an
= DUPONT streets. When the Baltimol
and Ohio railroad built its line throug
this city he received position an
subsequently became track foreman.
, A Slave to King Alcohol.
He was addicted to drink and lost h
/, position. In October, 1891, he got drum
3 one Sunday evening and laid on th
f, tracks of the Baltimore and Ohio raj
i road. In the northwestern part Of u
city. and train cut of his left arm
4 After this accident the railroad compan
, gave him his old position. Again he loi
Il by drink
Lately he has been doing contra'
g work in the city, and recently finished
track from Singerly station to Singerly
3 paper mill for the Baltimore and Oh
: railroad.
She Wouldn't Sew on buttons.
He says the trouble of last night aro
: from quarrel which he had with b
!, sister. She refused to sew some buttoi
/ on the clothes of his children and th
4 made him angry He has two childrel
\ At the home Of his father, this NOR
: ing, little sympathy was expressed +
the son. There are two brothers Al
= three sisters All Of them have tried
persuade him from drinking but to
avail. They expressed their opinio
4 that he was beyond redemption.
|. Extent of the Fathers Injuries.
n DR.. Fahey said this morning that
was called to the Smith home last mig
and found the elder Smith suffering frc
a confused wound on the left side Of I
head, and three ribs that had be
broken. One Of these, he said, had &
tered the cover and lung and tore In
~ the tissue.
le He considered the injuries dangero
and may result In his death The latt'
ie he stated, would be caused by infamm
81 tion setting in. There was improv
% ment in his condition this morning oS
ia that Of last night.
lt At noon to-day Smith was resti
"a easily and has secured some sleep.