The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-02-24
SAM toni Is A MURDERER
His Victim, John j. Raftcr, Died on
Saturday Night ut His Home.
SHOOTING MAS UNPROVOKED
1t Was Done at Old Forge on the Night
OF Feb. A-At First the Wounds
We're Not Thought
Serious.

John j. Rafter. of. Green Ridge. died
at 1.30 Saturday evening at his parents
nome, 1851 wyoming avenue. as the re-
suit OF blood poisoning, brought on by
two bullet wounds inflicted by Sam
Toni, an Italian, on Main street, Old
Forge township, Tuesday night Feb. 4.
The deceased was "A years old and q
tinsmith by trade: but his last en-
ployment was as driver of the delivery
wagon for Phillips & Anthony, bottlers,
or Eynon street. He went to Old Forge
on Monday, Feb. 3. and was there un-
til the next night. when about 3 o'clock
he started to walk to Rendham to catch
{; car for home.
He and companion We're going along
'the main road and Rafter stepped
aside to let Toni pass. when they met
him. Rafter slipped and fell TO the
ground at Tonis feet and the latter.
without the slightest provocation,
whipped out his revolver and sent two
bullets into the PROSTATE body
The murderer then escaped. but he
was known, and the next day he was
arrested on warrant before Justice of
to the county Jail to await the result of
the shooting.
Toni Released on BAIL
Rafter was Immediately attended by
Dr. j. j. Timlin, and after a day or two
the indications We're that the wounds
would not prove fatal. AS soon as
practicable the young man was re-
moved to his parents home. Toni was
let out on $500 bail Furnished by Joseph
Turresco, of Old Forge.
week ago the patient began to grow
weaker and signs of blood poisoning
developed. Or. Bcrllngholf. of Green
Ridge. was called in, and he saw at
once that death was not an uncertainty.
He Informed DR.. T.. NJ. Pennypacker of
the serious condition of Rafter, and Dr.
PennypaCker told him to communica te
the fact to District Attorney Jones.
This was done ana Immediately a
capias was got out for the Italian and
he was lodged in Jail, where he now is.
He is an Undersigned, Swarthy and muir
derOuS looking creature, and has a bad
record in Old Forge as being ever ready
with his stiletto or revolver on the
slightest pruvocation.
Coroner LOngstreet went to the homo
of the deceased yesterday and after
empaneling jury consisting of DR.. T..
NJ. Pennypacker, DR.. Walter NJ. Reedy.
Charles Teeter John Ellis, George
Lutts and j. h. Weidman, he performed
an autopsy and adjourned the inquest
until tomorrow evening at the court
house to take testimony.
Coroner Found TWO Bullets.
The coroner found the two bullets;
one of them was in the same shape as
when it left the revolver. it having en-
tered upward in the thigh, passing
around the bone and lodging in the
thigh.
The other bullet was bifurcated, and
entered a little above the first wound; 1t
had Il downward tendency and found
Judgement in the top part of the femur.
or thigh bone. The thigh was honey
combed and contained about one-half
pint of pus, which had burrowed it's
way almost to the skin. The pleural
cavity was partially filled with serum
and the lungs We're affected. but the puS
IN the wounds brought on
blood poisoning and this inevitably
caused death.
Toni will be tried on the charge Of
murder and there is apparently strong
case for first degree against him. John
him.