The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-03-08

man Boyle Has Some Holes in His
Clothing Where Bullet Went Through
A Policeman Seized Dunan and Hus-
tied Him Off to the Station House.
Boston. Mass, March 7.-Alderman
Martin M. Lomasney was shot in the leg
by crank at City hall, Boston, shortly
before o'clock this afternoon. The
crank was arrested by one of the officers
stationed in the hall, and was taken to
Station 2, where he was locked up in a
cell. The crank's name is James Dunan.
He is thirty-seven years of age and
claims to reside at Billerica street at
the West End. He fred five shots at the
alderman from 38-calibre revolver,
similar to the kind carried by the police.
The shooting took place just ouside of
the aIdermanic chamber and caused
great excitement throughout the build
ing. One of the shots fired by thescrank
went through the clothing of Council
man Boyle, but did little damage.
When Alderman Lomasney was about
to enter the alderman's room, Dunan
was lounging with his back to the wall
in the corridor. Alderman Lomasney
passed him, giving him nod, when,
without a word of warning, the man
turned and fired shot. at him. Then. he
turned in dazed condition, and fired
two more shots into the airs Alderman
Lomasney then realized that the fellow
meant murder, and, ducking his head.
he ran toward the mayors Office The
shots were fired in quick succession, and
the crowd gathered about was SO excited
at first that it did not recover until four
shots had been discharged.
Mr.. Lomasney ran with his head
down against the door of the mayors
office crushing his hat over his head.
The man then fired a.fifth shot just as he
was seized by Officer Edward A. Nc
Hugh. The officer caught DunaD by the
throat and forced him into the city
messengers room, knocking his arm up
ward as he did so, and changing the
course of the bullet. 1t struck the case
ment. of the door leading to the mayors
office. The employees OF the city messen-
gers office then rushed to the assistance
of the brave officer and Dunan was over
powered and disarmed.
Officer McHugh is gray-haired and
veteran of the force, but he grappled the
crank with grip OF iron and hustled
him down the back stairs and across
Court square to the station house with a
celebrity that was remarkable.
AIQGrHldu LO1IdSuOJ was SUiuSh ny
but one of the flying bullets in the
fieshy part Of the left thigh. He did not.
fall, but staggered up against the wall
of the corridor where he leaned for sup
port for a few seconds. Then, unasslsted,
he walked into the mayors office. Here
the wound was examined and the blood
stapched Then he walked down stairs,
entered carriage which had been called,
and was driven to the Massachusetts
General hospital, where the surgeons
dressed his hurt From the hospital he
was taken to his neighboring home in
the West End. The wound bled profuse-
ly and Mr.. Lomasney was rather faint,
but, aside from the effects of the bleed
ing and the shock, was unhurt.
The rapid reports of the pistol caused
great excitement in City hall. The
crowd OF men who haunt the corridors
surged in the direction of the sound. 1t
was reported that it was Mayor Matthews
who had been shot by second Prender-
gast. But the report was unfounded,
for the mayor was not at city hall at the
time.
Dunan is known about City hall as
"the silent man." He is described as
is about thirty-fve years of age, tall,
thin of face, with a sallow complexion
and lack lustre eye and small black
moustache. His sou briquet is derived
from his taciturnity. He was accus-
toned to come to City hall when the
doors were first opened in the morning
and loaf about the corridors until thu
building was closed at night He never
spoke to anyone, and when addressed
would not deign to reply. At 5 o'clock,
when it was time to lock up, City
Messenger Peters would go up to him
and say: "Time to CO." And then the
"silent man" would take his departure
without word. He had worked at
times in different city departments but
not often nor very long. He is described
as being very indolent He was a con-
stituent of Alderman Lomasney's, and
it is said that there had been trouble
between them.
Councilman Boyle stood in the midst
of knot of men and described his own
narrow escape, pointing to the holes IN
his coat and vest. through which the
bullet had made it's way.
"A little closer and there would nave
been two most elegant sets OF resolutions
passed in few days." be said laughing
ly.
Dunan and Lomasney have known
each other since boyhood. Dunan is a
Republican and Lomasney Democrat.
They are said to have had dispute
about some political matter. 1t Is also
said that Dunan accuses Lomasney OF
prompting an investigation by the board
of health into the condition OF house
owned by Dunan. Dunan neighbors say
that they have hought him insane for
long time.