The Hawaiian gazette., 1894-05-01
Ben Gallagher Appears in a New
Role.
He BITES ANOTHERS EAR OFF.
Bert Peterson suffers From the Attack
OF n Rufian-The Most Brutal Pro-
ceeding That Has Occurred in Homo
lulu for Year--GaIIagher in Hiding.


Bert Peterson was the victim OF the
most cowardly assault last night that
was ever perpetrated III Honolulu.
Without any seeming cause, Ben Gal
lagher, a well-known character around
town, not satisfied with a fair fight,
absolutely bit Peterson's ear off, and
! for no other reason than a difference
in politics.
After the affair was over, the police
were looking for Gallagher, but he
had evidently become scared and
had hid himself. Captain Lang
lev and Lieutenant Cordes, ac-
companied by native police
man, went to Gallagher's room, but
their bird had flown. 1t was
said, and on good authority, that he
had gone to Waikiki to spend the
night, hoping to escape on the Aus
tralia today. This will be practically
impossible, however, as number OF
policemen are watching that ship to
see that he does not escape.
Peterson's story-and it is yOuched
for by a number of eye-witnesses-is
as follows:
He was playing game of billiards
with friend, and had gone 10 the bar
to get cracker. While there he spoke
to w. F. Love, and told him of an
alteration he had had with guard
while on Palace walk. Love laugh
ingly said: "Oh, it was p. q. against
p. G., was it?" Just then Gala
CHER stepped up and heard Loves
remark. He did not wait for anything
further, but with the remark, 'yOu
p. G.. -" he hit Peterson a terri
BILE blow ia the face. Peterson
was taken by surprise, but he
grappled with his assailant,
and threw him to the floor. There
were a number of people present, but
no one tried to help Peterson. Among
the spectators of the cOwardly assault
were c. b. Wilson and a man named
Brown, we'll known to the police as a
successful smuggler of opium some
years ago. 1t il alleged that these two
watched the fight, and advised Gala
CHER to "do the p. g. - --
- up" No help was extended to
Peterson, who is much smaller man
than Gallagher, by either of these
weil-knOwn men.
When Gallagher had Peterson
down on the floor, he was not salts
fed. He had already disfigured him
with his fists, but this was not enough
for Mr.. Gallagher. When he saw
that he had his victim completely
under control, he seized his ear in his
teeth, and bit a piece out. This can
nibal act was followed by a pum-
melting of the now nearly fainting
Peterson that completely subjected
him.
AT the time the fight occurred, the
bar room was well filed. That no
one interfered in Peterson's favor is
disgrace to those present. He was
much Gallagher's inferior in weight
and every other particular that makes
a fighter. Gallagher is a we'll known
character, and has been in trou-
BILE more than once, and it is
claimed that the police have been
him for some time. If he is caught
now, the chances are that he will
receive severe sentence,
After the fight was over, Peterson
was a pitiable looking object. His
face was swollen; his thumb as well
as his ear showed the marks of the
brutal Gallagher's teeth, and he was
in very weak condition.
After the atfray, young Peterson
went upstairs, where he met Or.
Cooper. In the meanwhile one of the
officers of the Philadelphia picked up
the piece of flesh that Gallagher had
bitten off and brought it upstairs. DR..
Cooper sewed the missing piece on
the part of Peterson's ear that was left,
and attended to his other injuries.
From the testimony of several eye
witnesses PetersOn's story was corrob-
grated. 1t seems that Gallagher is a
notorious sore-head against the Gov
eminent. A little over year ago he
was driver of No. = engine. He was
discharged for brutally assaulting a
boy without any cause whatever.
DIR. Cooper, who dressed PetersOn's
wounds, was not a witness to the
affray, but saw Peterson Immediately
after he was assaulted by Gallagher.
As he described the matter, Gallagher
had bitten of two-thirds Of the helix,
the external prominent rim of the
auricle. The piece picked up was an
inch and quarter long.
Gallagher will not have
chance to leave the country.
The Australia is being closely
watched, and there is very little
chance of his getting away. He
did not go to his room last evening,
for the police searched the premises
about midnight and he was not to be
found, nor had he been there, as the
condition of the room showed. The
police have clue as TO his where
abouts, however, and it is very likely
that he will be arrested today.
Peterson will swear out a warrant
for the arrest of Gallagher this morn
ing. He will be charged with may
hem, which is a very serious crime.
A very clear case seems to be made
out against him already, and if he
escapes punishment he will indeed be
lucky.
Tho Now York Advartiser aerveS