The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-06-24
COZ. rrRnraANs r1sroL.
II Wasn't Fsintea at Fernauds Wood, but at
tho '' ufertcta Boy."

tho 90 Bertctn Boy.n
To THE EDrroR OF THE SuN-Sir. MY at,en.
ton was recently called TO an article In last Sun.
days Sun, wherein several unintcntional errors
occurred, and one particularly that docs mo n
great injustice, which l desire to correct.
Tho convention referred to was held in 1859.
and not 1887, and I did not level a pistol at Fer.
nando Wood. as then stated, nor at any other
timo, nor did / threaten TO shoot him. There
was but ono convention, and that was held in
WietinR Hall, and both tho Hardshell and
Softshell delegates met there, the struggle
being for the control Of tho organization.
The Hardshells nominated Thomas q. Alvord
for temporary Chairman and tho Softshclls John
Stryker. both OF whom were formally escorted TO
the platform. Fernando Wool moved that n
committee of one from each Of the judicial dis.
tricts be appointed on permanent organization,
which was seconded. and after Alvord declared
the motion carried, Strykor declared 1t lost. At
that moment not Nicely Wood. but a man
named Carpenter. who subsequently committed
suicide in the Tombs while under sentence of
death for numbering a woman, sneaked up be-
hind Strykor and pushed him Off tho
platform. In an instant the convention
wns in the most intense excitement and tho up
roar beyond description, and pistols drawn on
every side. The Wood "hcelers" wcro led by
John c. Heenan, 1.-THE Benicia Boy;'' Tom Brcn-
nan OF Albany ana his gang, Bon Ray, Andy
Sheehan. Isaiah Rynders. Louis Barrill. Jim
Irving. Kit Burns. Tom Burns. Big Enright,
Billy Wilson. and others who had been packed
in tho convention by Wood. The Sottshells.
who were tho regular delegates. were Edward
Cooper, Nelson ]. Waterbury, George III. Purser.
John Cochran. Charles $. .Halpin Miles
0'Reilly ". John Clancy, John Bradley, Peter b.
In the midst Of the excitement Mr.. Stryker re.
turned to the platform and a Softshell delegate
moved that the convention take a recess.
Stryker put tho motion and declared 1t carried.
In the mean time Alvord had left the platform
Mayor Wood and exclaimed: .
or you will suffer for It."
Ben Ray. sheehap; Ry,ndcrs. and Others took
away. John Heenan suddenly advanced toward
me and said he would throw me out OF the win
dow. and under this throat / instantly drew my
pistol and pointed 1t at him and told him IL he
advanced one step would kill him. He sud.
Woods bodyguard had taken him. turned
! toward the body OF the hall and found that the
convention had really adjourned and ! was alone.
These are tho dead Level. cold facts OF the pro.
ceedings OF that convention. without romance
factions separately organized and nominated
the same ticket, viz. ID. II. Jones OF Queens, for
Secretary OF State, and Sandford +. Church of
Orleans. for Comptroller. And. If it will not be
Edward Cooper and the other delegates OF tho
Softshell Con v%ention presented me with n gold
watch. with the fattering inscription that ! had
snvcd tho convention from bloOdshed and per.
haps murder. But don't know how It would
to carry out his threat. BY publishing this you
will place me right in the record. Yours truly,
JAMES +. KERRIGAN.