The herald., 1896-03-08
Elisha Bennett, His Assailant,
Is in Jail
WAS CAPTURED YESTERDAY
The Injured Man Makes an Ante.
Mortem Statement
osnnett Comes From Chicago, and Claims
Never to Have Been In Trouble Be.
fore-Latest Developments

Elisha L. Bennett now occupies a cell in
tho city Jail, charged with the stabbing of
Frederick Czarske at the latter's saloon
late on Friday night. Bennett is the man
who was addressed by his companions as
Jim and the one who did the cutting. He
il machinist who has been in the em-
ployment of Thacker in his machine shop
on Third street, next door to the saloon
where the affray took place, for some
weeks. Bennett is a man of good appear
ance and has been we'll and favorably
known among the bicycle trade in the
city for various firms in which line he has
worked. His companions during the even
ing were William Burke and Casey Castle
man. They were lot so noticeably under
the influence of liquor as was Bennett, and
arc the ones who interfered at the time the
4rst row started between Bennett and the
bartender, McD Dwell.
Yesterday morning. James Burke, of the
well-known firm Of Burke Bros. bicycle
dealers. called ut the police station 10 i'll
vestigare a runor that he was implicated
In the affair. Some parties had construed
the fact of the assaiiant's being called Jim
by his comrades and the rualor that his
name was Burke 10 indicate that he was
the man. This was not the case, as Alr.
Burke was nowhere near the scene on the
night of the tragedy. Witnesses OF the
ARRAY had heard the name Burke NELL
toned between the men while in tie
saloon, and stated their belief that that
was the name of the assailant. On account
of the fact that Mr.. Burke is prominent in
wheeling circles some parties jumped 1T
the conclusion that he must be the man,
and caused the gentleman much annoy.
Ance and yexa.icn by their inquiries.
Bennett was arrested early III the morn
ing by Detective Eawley at his room at
No. 247 East Fourth street, and was taken
to the station. He had entirely sobered up
and professed entire ignorance OF the terri
bio events of the night previous. At the
Jail he Was taken into the receiving hos
pital where he was recognized by Czarske
rs the man who did the cutting. Bennett
greeted CzarsAe cordially, and said: "How
doyou do. Fred. We had drunken scrap.
/ ara awfully sorry l hurt YOU They
sdook hands. and on being asked if all
hands were drunk, Bennett said, II don't
think any OF us were sober;'' to which
Csarske repiied: II don't know as / was.
though, was attending 10 my business.
Since O'Clock in the morning had been
drinking more OF less, but | wasn't drunk.
Before Deputy District Attorney James
and stenographer Czarske made his ante
lnortem statement at 8 o'clock in the morn
ing. He stated that the cutting occurred
shortly after $3.50 the previous evening.
lie knew Jim. who worked next door. II
was not regularly employed there but had
been working al the place lately. The
three wheelrnen came into his place at
about o'clock and had several drinks.
dim became involved in dispute with his
brother.in-law, Mcdowell, and had some
rough talk with him. CzarslSe told Bennett
not TO talk 80 roughly and not to curse
Mcdowell. This transferred the qvarrel to
him, and he pushed Bennett so that he fell
down. He denied that he struck the lat
ter. Bennett got up while Czarske stepped
back to the bar and leaned against it.
He claimed that Bennett said no word
and gave no warning but rushed at him
and struck. On being asked again whether
or not he had hit Bennett he returned the
same answer. He felt little hope of ever
getting we'll. as he was full of pain. He
had been told that he might die at any
time.
Czarske made his will shortly after in
which he disposed of all his property. some
$4,000 in value, and finished his business
affairs. He was resting easily last night
under the influence of opiates and his con-
dition was regarded as unchanged.
Elisha or Jim Bennett was seen
In his prison quarters, but refused to talk
about the assault. He expressed himself
as sorry for the affair had occurred and
hoped that CzarsGe would recover. He
has worked in this city for a
long time and never before was
he arrested. Czarske had known him
and they were on friendly terms. No rea-
oOI COulu De dltflDlteu IOr Ills ACT. HIS
aged mother lives in Chicago, which is his
home, and for her more than for himself
he felt the terrible disgrace that had be-
fallen him. When asked about Czarske
having struck him he exhibited a badly
bruised eye, and said he had lump on his
head. One of his arms was also sore,
probably where he struck the floor. In
quiry was made by him about Czarske' IS
condition and the sincere hope of his re-
covery expressed.
He has engaged Messrs. Davis and Rush
to conduct his defense. The knife with
which the cutting was done was large
bladed pocket knife or dirk, the blade of
which fastens into position by spring on
the back. This had been carried by him for
some time, and was used in his bus
mess as a bicycle reparer. He had tried
a lot of lighter knives. but the blades were
Invariably broken and he secured the
heavier article.
Numerous firms for whom he had worked
IN Chicago were cited and all had been left
with good character This was the first
scrape of his life and he hoped Czarske
would recover, not so much that he might
escape as for the sake of the injured man 8
wife and children. His preliminary exami-
nation will probably not be held until
Czarske's death or the fact that he will
recover is established.
The Governor at Luncheon
Col. W. B. Wiltshire yesterday, at his
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