The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-11-26

Watchman John II. House, at the
store of the Johnson Coal company IN
Priccburg. was set upon and severely
beaten by four young men between
and 3 o'clock yesterday morning ana
he shot two of them, Joseph GilSallon
and William Kelley, the bullet which
struck Gilgallon entering his neck un-
der the chin. inilictinS what the doc
tors have said is a fatal wound. kei-
ley was shot in the legs and is in no
danger.
on his rounds the watchman saw the
four prowling about the place. inc
other two were Peter Mclaughlin and
Anthony BernefLSy. Their actions
were suspicious and House inferred
that they were there for no good pur-
pose. Their presence near the store
lasted for some time, until finally
House went out about go and ordered
them away. They were sitting on the
front steps.
In reply to his command one of them
caught hold of him and dragged him
over the edge of the stoop to the ground
which is four feet beneath, and then
the four pitched upon him and assail-
ed him with kicks and blows. He had
cane and a lantern and both were
smashed on his head. And one of the
four had stone with which he pum-
meled him.
FIRED WHILE ON THE GROUND.
While they had him down. however,
they did not have his hands bound
and he squirmed around until he got
his revolver out, pointed 1t over his
head and fired. The bullet struck Gill
gallon and he dropped. Then the rest
of the gang ran. but House took aim
twice and each time he winged Kelley
in the legs. Kelley went to his home
nj Il ont ~
lin went home. also, and went to bed.
from which he was taken later In the
day and lodged in the lookup by Con-
stable Richard Barron. Bernefsky
could not be found, wherever he went
Word was sent to Gilgallon's rela-
tives and they went to the spot where
he fell and removed him home. Drs.
Kennedy, Of Priceburg, and Dawson.
of Providence, were sent for and they
attended to him, but they have no hope
of his recovery. Several times during
the day it was reported he was dead.
and he was so close to 1t that his life
hung by but a slender cord.
Almost from the time he was shot
Gilgallon was unconscious. The doc
tors probed for the bullet but could
not find it. They made second at
tempt with but similar success. At one
speaking about the case he exonerated
the watchman for shooting him.
GILGALLON SHOT ONCE BEFORE.
Glgallon had an experience upwards
of three or four years ago that was a
remarkable one. This is the second
time he has been shot. The first time
was when Constable Richard Barron
was attempting to arrest him, and he
pulled a revolver on the constable, but
the constable got the drop on him first
and sent a bullet through his abdomen.
The bullet went clear through his body
and lcf: him in a condition that his
folks We're looking for his death daily
But he recovered and lived to fight an
other day. At IL o'clock last night he
was very weak almost exhausted, but
his condition then was no worse than
at any other time during the day.
The bullets Kelley received were in
the calf of his left leg. One of them
went out on the opposite side to the
point it entered, following semi-circu-
lar course around the bone. The other
bullet was removed by the doctors.
THE WATCHMAN'S STORY.
House is brother of Attorney f..
III. House and lives on E,ynon street,
West Side. He has been watchman at
| the store about six months. Previous
to that time he managed cigar store
| at the corner of Main avenue and Jack
son street. He is an old soldier and Is
quite well known throughout this val
ley and in Brooklyn. ~ ", where the
family was formerly located. Last
| evening when a Tribune reporter called
at his residence the injured man was
| in bed and under the care of DR.. l.. A..
| Lindabury. who was sent to attend Mr..
House by order of his employer. o. S.
Johnson. Mr.. House would say moth
| ing for publication. Mrs. House. how
| ever. gave out that her husband fired
| the shots in self-defense and Dr. Linda
| bury is responsible for the statement
| that the shot which struck Gilgallon
| was fired when Mr.. House was ON his
back and while Gilgallon's fingers were
pressing his throat. The injuries to
Mr.. House consist of two broken ribs
on the right side. sprained ankle,
| bruised right leg. ahrasions on the neck
and head. and there may be internal
| sprains. The age of the man. 80 years.
| makes his injuries the more dangerous.