The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-03-07
Troy. n. Y, March 6

Il
nm EVER has Troy witnessed more
I'M exciting municipal election than
IWl that which took place today.
uO There had bsen scenes Of dis
order at many OF the polling places.
but the OUTRAGEOUS disregard for law
reached its height at noon, when one
Republican was murdered and another
was seriously wounded.
Tonight the streets are crowded with
excited throngs ami the under. current
Of indignation caused by the governors
refusal to Oign the Troy inspectors
bill has given way to tidal wave OF
deuuucistion. Those in official life on
whom excited citizens place the rsspon.
sibility for the assassination, ara ac'
cused in most bitter terms. They
claim that had the inspectors bill be
come law. repeating would not have
been attempted
VICTIMS OF ASSASSINATION.
Robert and William Ross were the
victims. They were among the citi-
zsns who gathered at the polls in the
Third district of ths Thirteenth ward
to see that the election laws were not
violated. The voting had been spirited
at this district, but not until the ap.
pearance of gang Of repssters was
there a ripple of excitement A man
who had no right to cast a vote then
presented himself at the polls and de-
manded ballots The R republicans who
challenged him were elected aud the
applicant was afterward pushed into
the street by other Republicans Then
bullets few through the air aud four
men were struck.
Prominent among the fighters were
"Bat" Shea, John McGough aud Jerry
Cleary, who drew pistols and 80 did
others in the crowd Bystanders say
that Robert Ross was knocked down
with club and while he was lying
J with his face down the assassin sent a
bullet into his brain, causing almost
instant death. Another who fell was
William Ross, the murdered man 4
Irother. He was shot in the neck and
is condition ia critical. Bat Shea was
VAlightly wounded, a bullet having
daussd scalp wound A fourth man
Was shot and it is reported tonight that
he is John McGough.
Shea is being closely watched and
will probably be arrested. John Fl.
Boland, a prominent citizen. was ar
rested this afternoon on a charge of
being implicated. Justice Fursman
refused to take bail and Boland was
remanded in Jail.
BYsTANDER BoLAND's STATEMENT.
Boland made the following statement
o the United Press reporter: I'm
reseed with the duty Of every citizen
do his all toward securing An honest
ote and fair count, and wishing to see
be law upheld, | was at the polling
lace in my district all morning. Dur
ng the morning word came that the
most fragrant outrages we're being en-
acted in the First and Second districts
OF the ward. Repeatsrs were said to
be operating in these districts almost
without molsstation and when the
Democratic heelers began to arrive the
respectable element was on the alert to
prevent fraud,
''At noon Shea, John McGough, Jerry
Cleary and one or two others whom
do not know, went into the polling
place with repeater. and watcher
followed them into the polling place
and made a protest against the follow
voting. McGough Shea and the other
followers of their crowd forced the
watcher and crowd back. McGough
drew revolver and ordered the Grove
to stand back. Shea and Clesry die
the same. and all three at once began
firing Robert Ross was struck under
the ear. He never uttered word af-
ter he was shot.
ROSS BROTHER ALSO SHOT
"William Ross, seeing that hi
brother was shot, rushed to the rescue
Before he could reach his brother
leide, he, too, was shot In the head from
behind and fell to the ground. Johr
Ross, another brother, rushed to th'
Scene and what followed was as heart
rending q sight as | ever saw. Johr
Ross was holding his dying brother
head and moansd Look ut my dylnj
brothers life blood, as the vita
strength Of Robert Ross oozsd from tn
wound in his head, dyeing his brothers
hands and the grouud bright crimson
''The trouble originated and th,
fight was precipitatsd by John Nc
Cough, who Is Democratic heller
The firing was fast aud furious for
few moments, and it is wonder tha
others were not injured After tn
shooting McGough disappeared, Isav
McGough empty his revolver into tn
crowd, and believing that he In,
killed my friend Ross, followed hin