The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-06-03
GALLAGHER'S FATE.
He Was the Victim OF Accident or
Foul Play.


Patrick Gallagher of IL Polk street
went, presumably, to the Bachelor Clubs
picnic in the Admiral street grove
Saturday night, and tomorrow will
go to his own funeral, having been
found dead shortly after the picnic ad-
journed. Robert Spencer John Nc
Carthy, and Michael Delahunt were
among the last 10 leave the picnic
grounds and were going homeward
by the well remembered path
which runs parallel to Admiral
street and about 40 feet from it, when
they came upon Gallagher's body. They
| concluded he was dead. but to
make sure went to the merry
! go-round tent near by aud
borrowed a lantern to inspect the body.
| Officer Briggs was notified, and Lieuten-
ant Horton and a squad OF policemen
from Station carried the remains to Tan
ner's undertaking rooms, where they were
viewed by DIR. Palmer, who made an au-
topsy yesterday. The autopsy showed
that Gallagher had an abrasion back of
the right ear, n bruise over the right eye
and the bridge of his nose was broken.
| There was a clot of blood at the base of
the brain, which might have been caused
by alcoholism and which might also have
caused death. The stomach was fairly
empty and had about four ounces of beer
in il.
Near where Gallagher was found is
knoll, near which is a hole about two
feet deep, into which he might have
stepped, causing heavy fall.
Gallagher was a melter in the Frshklin
Foundry, had wife and one child, and
was domestic man in every sense of the
word.
Further investigation as to the cause of
| GaIlagh hers death lends an air of mystery
| to the whole affair. There are two
very important things TO remem-
ber. In the first = place,
Gallagher, although he had lived in the
North End for nearly eight years, was
not very we'll known. The police, even,
have no record of ever having seen him
before. In the second place nobody
who knew him or saw him Saturday
night, with one exception, will admit 1t,
except, OF course, his own immediate
family. THE NEWS Correspondent, how
ever, with the aid of Captain
Baker of the second district,
|
Mr.. Gallagher left his work as usual Sat-
urday afternoon and did not GO
home to supper. He did 60 to
several barrooms and got shaved,
gong home about 8 o'clock. He left his
house about 10 O'Clock and went to
McConnell's barroom at 81 River street,
| where he had two beers. AT 10 80 d. m. he
was seen in front of the dance platform
in the grove. Nobody seems to have seen
him afterward, until he was found dead.
He could not have had time to visit any
other place before reaching the picnic.
The place where the body was found
was grassy spot at least IL or 15 feet
away from the hole referred to above.
The body was lying on its back.
Near where Gallagher was found has
been a sort of public dump for years, which
might account for the various pieces Of
rusty iron pipe, chains, tin ware, ETC., which
the police and Others have found, but
the piece of rolled zinc, which
was found under or near the
body, shows that Gallagher might
have been struck from behind just
as he reached the knoll, causing the
abrasion back of the ear. II he had
stumbled and fallen into the hole,
he might have broken the bridge of his
nose, although that is not positively
known, but the wounds were such that
he could not have picked himself up,
Travelled three or four yards, and then
fallen where he YVES found, at the same
| time hurting himself, as he must have
Detective Parker said this forenoon that
in his opinion death was due TO accident,
and from the condition OF Gallag her. 8
stomach he might include alcoholism, or
words to that effect. Captain Baker
saws that he is not satisfied that
either is the cause, and he will not rest
until he knows the truth.
According to a certain policy writer,
who frequents North End bar
rooms in search of victims,
or patrons, q friend Of his was In Gala
gher's company, Saturday night, at the
picnic. According to John O'Neill,
the Randall square cigar dealer, who
is one OF the directors OF the Batchelor
Club, and who was at the picnic until IL
o'clock that night, there was no trouble
OF any sort there.
He intimates, however, without com
hitting himself that there was gang"
who were looking for beer and trouble,
but got disappointed because neither was
, | to be found in the grove.
1t seems that tho Foresters had . pic
, mic on Decoration Day and Gallagher had
charge OF a table where beer was dis
pensed. Certain toughs, who are said
to be very tough, and who were not
TO be found In their usual
Charles street "ioints" today, attempted
to steal O rack and keg OF beer. They
. did not succeed and Gallagher struck one
of them in the eye. IL is thought that
two and two together, the disappointed
crowd laid for Mr.. Gallagher Saturday
night with the intention, not OF murder,
but OF teaching him lesson which he
would always remember.
They put him to sleep, but he cidn't
wake up.
There were no licensed barooms be-
tween McConnells and the grove, so the
last idea seems to coincide with that ol
the police. II was not Intentional MUIR
der, but an accident, and, as Medical Ex-
aminer Palmer SAYS, death was caused