The San Francisco call., 1896-10-03
SHOT DOWN BY AN
ANGRY DOATMAN
Philip Reilly Is Mortally
Wounded by William
Fl. Britain.
The Assailant Had Attempted to
Take His Victims Life
Before.
OUTCOME OF AN OLD FEUD
Wounded Mans Friends Unable to
Discover the Causes Which Led
Up to the Crimes.
OUTCOME OF AN OLD FEUD

Philip Reilly, a young man employed
as carpenter by the State Harbor COM
missioners, was shot and fatally wounded
by William Fl. Brittan, boatman, in
George Callaghan's saloon, Bay and
Powell streets, at o'clock last evening.
The shooting was the result of an old
feud. Brittan and his victim met in the
saloon. and from the first 1t was evident
that the former was looking for trouble.
Reilly, accompanied by friend, was
standing by the bar when Britain walked
over and without warning struck at
Reilly. The blow was without effect.
however, and the two men clinched and
fell on the floor. Britain regained his feet
and started for the door, apparently for
the purpose of making his escape, but on
reaching the street he turned and fired q
shot point blank at Reilly, who staggered
and fell to the floor mortally wounded.
Britain then ran up Bay street, but
encountered Harbor Policeman Ferguson,
to whom he surrendered himself. Fergu-
SON turned the prisoner over to Officer
Amos Williams, who took him to the
Reilly's injury.
Britain, with a spattering OF Reilly's
blood on his left cheek, was surly and dis
agreeable.
1T don't want to talk about this thing to
any one Just now. 1t will be time enough
by and by" were the only words he would
utter.
Reilly was removed to the Receiving
Hospital. DIR. Stice attended the wounded
man. The bullet had entered immedi-
atelY above the heart under the collar
1eeA I.,,o, hnsv xt,inr
Shortly after reaching the hospital. and
while ne was being worked upon, Reilly
became unconscious and his ante
statement was not obtained.
James Cunningham, a friend of Reilly's,
was present when the shooting occurred.
"Phil Reilly" said Mr.. Cunningham,
"was returning from his work on the Har-
Dor COMMISSIONERS repairing gang.
met him at Francisco and Powell streets,
within one block of his home, and we
stopped in at George Callaghan's place to
get drink.
"While we were there in conversation,
in came William H. Brittap. He walked
over to where we were, and Reilly turned
round as if to greet him. He put out his
hand with word of welcome, and Brit
tan, instead of accepting the friendly ad-
vance, made pass with his right list, try
ing to knock Reilly down.
'sRiley grabbed him, saying: Now,
Britain, you know you can't hit me- The
two scufied few minutes and both fell to
the floor, Reilly on top.
'Britr an begged to be let up, and
shouted: Don't hit q fellow when he's
DOWN.
n.Of course / won't hit you, Britain
said Reilly, get up. old man, but don't
try to hit me again.
ssWith that he rose from off Britain and
we both backed out to the sidewalk. Brit
tan followed us closely and in the most
cold blooded manner possible he pulled
his pistol and fired.
"Reilly staggered and almost fell on me,
saying: i'm shot, Jimmy; I'm gone
s'I helped him to the nearest patrol box
while Britain started off on run toward
Bay street.
lit was q cold -blooded murder Of an in.
offensive, good d-natured man.
'.Brittan, to my knowledge, has been
looking to kill Reilly for at least year.
l was with Reilly at the time I allude to.
Britain was lying in wait for him in door,
way, and as we came along the street he
jumped out at Reilly, trying to plunge q
knife into him.
REILLY managed to avoid the blow and
as Britain was being disarmed of his
knife he drew a pistol and tried to t1re
that It was also taken from him.