The sun., 1895-03-29
STRUCK LAWYER BERDINE.
uILEs Ross's BOrS ATENGB HIs
ATTACK ON 1HEIR FATHER.

LAWYER In the street as He was on
His Way Home and Gave Him sound
ThrashinE, but Partisan Statements OF
the A6air DiHer 20 Details - Mr..
Berdi-e Declares that RE win Prosecute
New BRrSswIcK, y. j., March 2s.George
Berdine. tho Republican lawyer who has 80
severely criticised tho miles Ross Ring" as
he calls them. was waylaid and pummcled on
Livingston avenue. near the Suydam street cor
ner, last night. Tho chief pummeliers, accord
Ing to Mr.. Berdine, and the fact is not hidden
by those who were there wcro Harry and Robert
Ross. younger sons of ex-Congressman Miles
Ross a politician who is wel-known in New
Jersey. and particularly in this part of It. James
Mullen. a special officer who was accompanying
Mr.. Berdine TO his home was knocked down.
He was frightened by the vigor OF the assault
aud took to his heels. Some of the crowd un-
able to get near Mr.. Berdine, chased the special
officer Mullen drew his revolver ard tho as
saiants fell back. There were fully fifteen In
tho crowd that saw the assault. Mr.. Rerdno
says that the Ross boys and J ohm DAILY, formerly
manager of the Palmer House. did the slug
sing, and there was occasional help from out
s;de. Daily and Dick Hardenbergh. who say that
they were there to see fair play. deny that any
one struck Mr. Berdino except the Ross boys.
They undertook to thrash Mr.. Berdlns because
he had denounced thoir father.
Tho thing that stirred the Ross boys was the
speech made by Mr.. Berdine at tho Republican
City Convention on Tuesday night He had
many uncomplinentary things to say about
Niles Ross. NJ. F. Ross, Judge J. Kearney Rice,
City Collector William Ii. Price, and others,
most OF which, he said, were inspired by his
personal observations and the recent in
vestiGation of county affairs. His denun-
Citations caused great excitement at the
RAN md py,v ,vrh
wrath among the politicians who hold
oflce undor tho favor of Miles Ross. Mr.. Ber-
dine accused the ex-Congressman Of engineer
ing tho political schemes in Middlesex county
and Of parcelling out all the offices to members
OF the Ross, Price. and Adrain families.
Last night Mr.. Berdine was in his Office on
George street in company with Mr.. Robert Car
and a few others until after 10 O'Clock.
Then he left with Mr.. Carson and James Mullen.
who is q candidate for constable on the City
Club ticket in the Second ward. As they went
along there seemed to DO q commotion on the
street. Mr.. Berdine heard q whistle and saw
John Daily At the corner Of Albany and George
streets. Mr.. Carson surmised that there was
something in the wind. and because OF tho
strife which Mr.. Berdne's speech had stirred
up said to the lawyer that it seemed that some
body was lying in wait for him. Mr.. Berdine.
before starting. had taken piece of q broom
nhndlo win MIN, not having nlS cane. WnlCn no
usually carries. AS Messrs. Carson. Mullen,
and Berdne passed on up Livingston avenue
they noticed knots Of men on the other side Of
the street who seemed to bo shadowng them.
Mr.. Carson would naturally bave left Mr.. Ber-
dine at George street. but wake three blocks
further. as far as Welton street, with him.
Saying good night to Mr.. Carson, Mr.. Berdins
and Mr.. Mullen. who Is q special officer, walked
up Livingston avenue on the south sde. Mr..
Berdlne continued to notice the groups scattered
along the street. but, arriving within block of
his home. concluded that nothing was going TO
happen. He passed by Miles Ross's residence
ana had got to the corner Of Livingston avenue
and SuyGan street. where lives ex-Sherift Peter
w. Flick. when he WAS suddenly pounccd upon
by three or four men.
said to-day. and under the swift and sudden
bows vent down. Tbs men continued to pound
as Harry and Roos R"S 'wG o
Niles Ross. Then while was down Jack
h. Seksd M Tsh wds deep wonnd on
Mullen Id not knnw. but was soon sur
Founded by a crowd Of al least fifteen Or
@ give IL 70 me, ! made little & or no p resistance,
could zee that had Mo friends in the crowd.
"'rhe Rosses contnued to swear Mt me. telling
mo that this was " hat | got for insulting their
father. replied that would see their father
him sick BY my speech. and that / couldn't see
him. All this was intersrcVscd with oaths 1t
coats about their ears. and could not recognize
them Finally the Rosses got hold of me and
marched me up to the lamp post, on tho corner
::W.ll, he's pretty well mussed up now
"'Oh. give him some more. said another and
then Harry Ross hit me sQuarely in the face
was 30 stunned and the wound in my head cad
blow: heard the voice OF Mr. Howard Butler.
who lives on Seaman street. in he crowd; He
ghu mad Np1 fNry yhnir hrn al md IL
that while 1t would DO foolish for HIM TO try to
help me, he would be Il Witness against the
with parting remark tina; could now go to
the courts for satisfaction. the Rosses lettme:
few steps away. where my wife, who had heard
pistol shot. had suspicioHed that something
Nuts. who lives with me. came home afterward,
snd sscng ny condition wanted TO go cunning in
o Gu m r hm Rad to
dizzy. having been sick all night, bu, ! am firm
10 keep on saying things about the ring. shall
put my case in the hand; Of good lawyer.
son. and shall sue for damage. also"
Mr. Berdine's nose is swelled and blue from
Of his face. and bad cut on the top Of his head.
which appears TO have been made by a kick.
that the outrage should have taken pacs a1d
declared that the affair would help the Re
Sabs that in M This Bcrns SHp"Fa Fa asF' nos
fair chance. He says II he had he
about 81 and 0 years OF age. Harry. the older OF
thetwo is in the coal Office with his older brother,
Milard. Robert goes to business college in in
rows before and have never evinced pugilistic
tendencies. They are very much devoted to
their father. and chose to defend him in this
manner; Mr.. Ross is said to be Ill at present.
and probably knows nothing Of the atl air.
James Mullen. tho constable. could not be
ionnd this morning; boy. SUNDAY school
the fight, and he and Mr.. Butler will be the
chef witnesses probably. II the cases come to
trial.
Harry Ross had nothing to say for publication
tonight, except that Ao thought Mr.. Berdine
deser' ed thrRshing.
The chief owner of the Times the Democratic
organ of the Miles Ross faction, is Millard +;
Ross. old er brother Of the Ross boys. Millard
Ross acknowl lodged this evening that he en-
c1uragcd lis brothers to whip Berdine, and that
he and W. II. Price knew of the plan to waylay
HIM The account of tho affair in to-niEhts
I'm''S Is different from that given by Berdine.
ltsays:
About 10 O'Clock last evening. as Berdlne,