The evening world., 1894-04-24
Fired Four Shots at His Success
full Rival, None Of Which
Took Effect
COURT ROOM IN AN UPROAR.
Judge Bischoft Flees, While Lawyers
and Policemen Struggle with .
the Assailant.

Michael Donnelly. an iron merchant,
Of l32 Leroy street, at 1913 this morning.
in the Equity Term OF the Court OF
Common Pleas, and In the presence Of
Judge Bischoff. made a murderous at-
tack upon Patrick ]. McArdle. Of Al
bany. also an iron merchant.
He fired four shots al him from .
3s-calibre revolver. None OF the shots
took effect, but the shooting created In
tense excitement in the Court-House.
The courtroom was Immediately
crowded with people. who rushed in at
the sound of the first shot, and Judge
Blschoff hurriedly left the room.
Donnelly, who IL a heavy-set man Of
about nifty years. vas the plaintiff IN
a suit brought against McArdle in
volving $4,000. .
The men were formerly partners In
business. but dissolved the partnership
three years ago.
Donnelly alleged that McArdle had de-
frauded him.. He began suit for an ao-
counting n the setting aside Of Q
bill Of sale of the business which Vol
nelly had made to McArdle.
The suit came up before Justice Bar
rett. Of the Supreme Court. a short time
ago and was dismissed.
This morning the matter came up be-
fore Judge Bischoff. in the Court Of
Common Pleas. and was he first case
heard on the opening of court.
Rather Lose Life Than the Suit.
Donnelly. It is said. has told a num-
Der of friends hat he would rather
lose his life than the suit.
Lawyer W. F. Severance, counsel for
Donnelly, made a brief statement Of the
plaintiffs case. and Lawyer David Mo
Clure. McArdle's attorney. replied.
When the arguments were finished
Judge Bischofr dismissed the suit.
When the Judge had finished speaking.
McArd!e. accompanied by D.. H. Fried
man. of Albany. arose and started to
leave the courtroom.
They had taken but a few steps to-
wards the door when Doanelly jumped
to his feet, and turning his back towards
Judge Biscnoff began firing. at McArdie.
Lawyer Severance was on his feet In an
instant and grappled with the infuriated
man
clients neck. but was unable to wrsss
'n At ft tSe ifs, ' sRos Ne Mck sriisp; and his com
crawled under n Of the a%ttornsys''
tdDlcS.
As they d.d SO they overturned the
table. and Donnelly. who was stin
struggling with his lawyer. again began
He fred three more shots in rapid suo-
cession.
Seized by His Own Lawyer.
Everybody in the courtroom. includ-
ance. seemed frightened out of their
wits, but the lawyer bravely struggled
prdSab h!s d Sssl's &c sls e s!iens; t ans 1T r
der was not committed.
During the shooting. NIc.Arile WAS cry
ing loudly for help, ana IS he ran from
top OF his voice.
K score OF Officers from every part OF
5 5fe M SHilSirs ss saried the tn , fsot eoa ard co,ss
and Donnelly, who was still struggling
in the grasp OF his lawyer. was soon
overpowered and arrested.
He was taken TO the City Hall police
station by Policemen Griffin and O'Con-
nor.
Court-ROom Almost Wrecked.
The court-I DOM was at once cleared
and the doors locked.
AS soon as the crowd were out OF
was stained with ink from the over
turned bottles, and particles. OF plaster
ing knocked from the walls Uttered the
Donne!ly seemed very cool whom fina;-
" overpowerei. and as he reached the
courtroom door, turned TO one OF the
policemen and SAID: please get my
hat" .
Donnelly was very much excited at
the police station. At first he refused
TO make any statement until he had
consulted with his attorney, Lawyer
Sew rance. He finally broke out and
wildly denounced cArdle as a thief and
n murderer.
Declares McArdIe SwindIed Him.
H robbed me OF every cent I had in
the world" he loudly exclaimed.
We were In partnership, and he
robbed me right and left. on April ~.
iSSe. / gave him a bill OF sa e on 1900
worth oil property for 81. He got me In
a tight place and squeezed me to the
wall.
'In 1891. HI foreclosed On me, taking
every cent ! had In The worit. be-
lieved al his - Les, and ne robbed
can prove hat he set IRE to his