The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-05-07
COMMERCIAL srREEB MATTERS.
The Many Deaths of Mr.. ]. Wilson Nc
Nally.

Iobsters in But Few Fish-Death of
George W. Peters.
A little crowd of wouldbe practical
iokers who are well known on CONNER
cial street probably won't try to sell an
other newspaper man for some time to
come They have tried to do 1t many
times, sometimes successfully, and some
times quite otherwise.
When they saw newspaper man walk
Ing in their direction Sunday, they
thought they would have some fun with
him, perhaps send him on bootless walk
for some little distance. He saw them,
and sized them up at once.
When he was opposite them one Of their
numbe said to brother joker. "Did
you hear about the killing Of Mike Mo-
Nally on Danforth street"
"No, how did it happen" asked the
other.
can Italian shot him." continued the
first joker.
At this point the newspaper man
turned to them and said: "Gentlemen as
you seem to be interested in the case I
will post you up a little. / know all
about it because as it happened
was present, a few moments after it CO.
CURED. and in fact tslephoned for the
coroner myself. Mr.. McNally was not
shot but stabbed. He got into some
trouble with an Armenian who went
home, got his dagger, returned and
struck Mr.. McNally just above the heart,
infiicting a fatal wound. His last words
we're very affecting relating as they did
to his wife. His name was not Mike, but
j. Wilson. Any other news today, gentle
menu"
They thought not. In fact they were
too astonished to talk. Apparently they
had "faked'' a murder, and the real
article had occurred.
An hour later the newspaper man was
returning along Commercial street, when
the same gang once more tried the old
dodge, and as ne passed one said: "Did
you hear that body was found this
| morning off Portland Pier''
"No.n
| "They say there's a good deal Of
mystery connected with the case, and I
| suppose the reporters will 90 down and
look it up"
The newspaper man once more quietly
stopped and said: "Gentlemen the matter
in question has been thoroughly looked
into, and am happy to be able to assure
you that there is no mystery, whatever,
connected with the case. Mr.. J. Wilson
MoNally committed suicide last night.
was present when the body was found.
not off Portland Pier, as you have been
incorrectly informed, but off Grand
Trunk wharf No. 1. Mr.. MoNally left a
note explaining his reasons for the rash
act, but it was addressed to his wife, and
will not be made public. telephoned
for the coroner myself"
The gang of jokers looked solemn, but
moved on and the newspaper man
having gone down several wharves re-
turned to Commercial street, and met
them again. this time close to the Custom
House.
Ibid you hear Of the man who was
killed by horse on Middle street at
noon" said one of them, evidently
making desperate effort to recover lost
ground.
"No, how did it happenP'
Before the first joker could reply the
newspaper man said: "If you'll excuse
me sir will give you the full partiou.
lars, as was on the ground at the time
and in fact telephoned myself for the
coroner. You see MIR. J. Wilson McNally
was walking down Middle street with his
wife when the horses of one Of the engine
companies suddenly turned the corner Of
Exchange street. Mrs. McNally was mol
much injured, but Mr.. MoNally was in
stantly killed. ANY other news of any
special Importance gentlemen?" ..
Thsy thought not. and he walked off
An hour or so later they again met at thu
Grand Trunk station, and once more thu
varied to: Ibid you hear about the mar
who got hurt on the railroad this after
noonp
Before the party addressed could reply
the newspaper man said: 81 think
know all about the case you mentioned
sir. You, however. seem to think tina
the unfortunate victim Of that acciden
was only badly injured, while as mat
ter of fact he was instantly killed. Yor
see ii occurred this way. Mr.. j. Wilson
McNally-''
Hold on" said one of the jokers, al
most with tears in his eyes. "Let up OF
j. Wilson McNeally please. Don't xii
him again and we'll promise to be BETTE
men. Never again between this and thu
silent grave will we try to string re
porter"
MARINE NOTES.
. The storm of Tuesday while not very
violent here, became more so further cas-
aud probably did considerable damage
The passengers on board the steaIne
Phantom noticed q burning house ant
barn on Cousen's island during TIN
storm, and there is very little doubt thai