The herald., 1896-08-09
CRACKED OVER THE HEAD
A Collector Seriously Injured by an lrate
Tailor
In a Dispute Over Payment Of Bill John
Nefroney feiss e. Van Buskirk
With q Pressing Board

Upon a cot in the receiving hospital,
groaning with pain, in semi-conscious
condition, is the form of T.. Van Bus
kirk, collector employed by the Amer
lean Wringer company, while in a cell
in the Jail alongside is confined John Ne
froney, tailor a charge of assault with
deadly weapon placed against his
name on the prison register During the
progress of a quarrel between the men
Nefroney struck Van Buskirk over the
head with heavy pressing board, such
as is used by tailors in their work, and
the latter now lies dangerously if not
fatally wounded.
Nefroney conducts small tailor shop
at No. 105 East First street in the base
ment of the German American bank
building. It appears that he owed the
American Wringer company the sum Of
81, which was due upon the purchase of
a clock. Nefroney had told Van Bus
kirk to call on the 18th of the month for
his money, which the latter failed to do.
Yesterday afternoon, however, ac lit
tie after 430, he went into Nefroneys S
shop and asked for payment of the bill
The tailor told him to come on Monday
and he would settle up.
This did not suit Van Buskirk and he
insisted upon immediate payment. Hot
words passed between the men and. as
stated by witnesses, Van Buskirk
| placed both hands upon his hips His
motion may have been mistaken by
Nefroney for an attempt to draw a
weapon, but at any rate he seized the
ironing board, raised it in the air and
brought it down upon Van Buskirk' S
skull with a crash Telling him to the
| floor. Only the one blow was struck,
but it waS all sufficient. Bystanders in
terfered and assisted Van Buskirk to
his feet when he staggered up the stairs
to the street and around the corner onto
Main street.
| Officer George was near and to him
i Van Buskirk feebly beckoned and asked
for assistance. He was taken into a
clothing store and given a chair while
the patrol wagon was called. DR.. Bry-
ant attended the injured man at the re-
ceiving hospital, but it was impossible
to definitely state TIE extent of his in
| juries. There may be fracture of the
skull, and the symptoms would indicate
| concuSsion of the brain.
Van Buskirk is unconscious the great
er part of the time, but has lucid inter-
walls. His hand is kept pressed to his
head as though seeking to relieve the
aching pain. He will talk nationally a
few minutes and then suddenly drop off
into semi-comatose condition when he
mutterS incoherently. 1t will probably
De several days DeIOre MS exact COnd1-
tion can be ascertained, but that he is
dangerously hurt there is no doubt His
residence is Railroad avenue, near Pas
adena avenue, on the East Side, his par
ents living at 1112 Pasadena avenue.
AS soon as the injured man had beer
taken to the hospital, officer Sparks
went to the scene of the affray and pla-
ced Nefroney under arrest. He came
along quietly and made no statement
! beyond that he had defended himself
from what he considered a threatened
attack. Bail was refused and Nefroney
spent the night in jail, where he will re-
| main until it is definitely ascertainet
what the nature and extent of Van Bus
kinks injuries are.