The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1895-12-07
NAY Be A CASE OF MURDER
A Hearing on the Lost Creek Stabbing
Affray.
THE ACCUSED MEN DISCHARGED.
DR.. Biddle Says Anthony Ready, the Victim,
May Die-It is Alleged the stabbing
Was Done at a a Polish Wedding
During Attempted Theft

The stabbing affray which occurred at Lost
Creek early last Sunday morning may ter
inmate in a murder and is therefore, arous-
ing great interest. 1t was the subject Of an
investigation last night before Justice Green
at VIM. Penn, under warrant sworn out by
Bryan Ready, father Of the victim of the
atfray, Anthony Ready. John Barrett
Patrick Hogan Michael McGrath and Martin
| Murray were arrested under the warrant and
they appeared before the Justice with their
counsel, NJ. NJ. Burke, Esq, of this town
The evidence at the hearing showed that
Anthony Ready, who is about 30 years of
age, and a companion named Michael Coyle.
both residing at Deans Patch, were at a
Polish wedding at Smoky Hollow on the
Saturday night preceding the stabbing and
ON their way home, about 2 o'clock Sunday
morning, they met McGmth and Murray, who
were going TO their home at Lost Creek No. .
from VIM. Penn, and asked them for a chew
Of tobacco. Murray said ne had none and
Coyle, with am OATH declared he would make
them give him tobacco. Coyle and Ready
then picked up stones and McGath and
Murray retreated toward the latters home
and into the house. Ready and Coyle con-
tinued following up and throwing stones
| They storned the building with stones with
such force that two window sashcs and a
number ofpnes of glass in other parts Of the
building were shattered
While the assault was in progres, other
occupants of the house, Barrett and Hogan.
got out of bed and with McGrath and Murray,
pursued Coyle and Ready. Coyle got away,
but Ready, who is crippled by disease Of
| the hip, was unable to make his escape 1t
was at this stage Of the affair, it is alleged,
that Ready was beaten and stabbed by the
defendants
After the alleged fight Ready started for
his home in Deans Patch and met Hugh
Beresford. Ready asked to be taken to his
home, stating that he had been beaten and
stabbed by some men at Lost Creek Beres-
ford took the injured man home Ready's
clothing was removed and an examination
showed that he had sustained two knife
wounds below the ribs on the left side, two
large knife wounds on the back of the head
and a severe confusion under the right eve
A physician was summoned and he pro-
nounced the wounds very dangerous. Ready
was taken to the Miners hospital last Sunday
morning and is now under treatment at that
place.
There was no evidence at the hearing to
show that either of the defendants had
beaten or stabbed Ready and the Justice
felt that he would not be warranted in hold
ing them to bail, and they were discharged.
/ certificate from DR.. Biddle, of the
Miners hospital was placed before the JUS
tice, showing that Ready is still in pre-
carious condition, and the doctor does not, as
yet, feel that he will recover
As there was no evidence against them
before the Justice the defendants were not
called upon to make Il defense.
| There is a theory that Ready received the
stabs wounds at the Polish wedding shortly
before he met the defendants While at the
wedding Ready asked Polander the time of
night and when the latter drew his watch
Ready attempted to take it from him 4
fight ensued, in which, it is claimed by
friends of the defendants, Ready wa.
both stabbed and beaten As Ready wa,
under the influence of drink it is probable
that he didn't experience the effects of his
wounds until after the excitement following
his scuffle with the defendants
1t is also alleged that when the defendants
came upon Ready the latter drew large
pocket knife and made two unsuccessful ef-
forts to stab Barrett and would have sue
ceeded, but for the interference of Hogan.
This knife is now in the possession of the
defendants and they claim they made no use
of it, or any other knife, during the scuflle.
The knife was found at the scene Of the
| fight about half an hour after. 1t has a
keenly sharpened blade Al inches long and
an inch wide, and has a tapering point. 1t
| is alleged that Ready used the knife in re-
pairing a pair of shoes within three days
| before the stabbing.
hurry had entered "A charge of malicious
mischief and waylaying travellers on the
public highway against Ready and COyle,
but upon suggestion of his counsel and in
view of the friendly relations existing be-
tween himself and the parents of Coyle and
Ready he withdrew the charge last night,