The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-09-22
SHOT THROUGH THE LIVER.
AN INSULT FOLLOWED by TWO
BULLETS FROM A PISTOL.

"
tack Upon John L. Areher-Had
Words in Ono SaIOOu-Archer Was
Struck and Then Armed Himself
when They Net Again in Another
Saloon sullivan Struck Him and
the shots Were Fired-Chances for
His Recovery Are Doubtful.
Murtagh F. Sullivan was shot and per-
haps fatally wounded yesterday afternoon
about O'Clock by John l. Archer. in
the saloon of Moses D. Abrams, at Bull
street and Congress street lane.
The shooting was the indirect result Of
q previous quarrel. to some extent of
political nature. Charles Leyan and Sui
Ivan went into Kelly e Alleys bar in
Bay lane during the afternoon. Archer,
whose Office is on Bull street. at the cor
Ter Of Bay lane. had gone in there before
them. Levan asked Archer to have
drink.
"Well, I don't care if do Is said to
have been Archers reply.
1t appears that both Sullivan and Le-
van had been drinking somewhat during
the day This was between and 5
O'Clock. As Archer assented to the invi-
tation to take a drink and as the drinks
were being put out for the three parties,
according to the statements of those In
the bar at the time Sullivan said to Lee
van:
Are you going to drink with that d
A p A - -?'
other words followed, and 1t is said Sui
Ivan struck Archer during the difficulty
and made threats against him. Archer
left the place without taking the drink,
which had been set out for him and Went
TO his Office. The difficulty was passed
over for the time, and some thought thai
no more would come of it,
According to the statement of a young
man in Archer's office, Sullivan threat
ened the former and used abusive Ian
guage as he passed his Office. Sullivan
and Levan then went over to the Pu-
laski House, and into the Turf Exchange.
There Sullivan had some words with Mr..
Mcbride, who has charge of the place,
and it is said cursed him.
Mr.. Mcbride stated that Sullivan came
into his place and cursed him, and he
ordered him out. He thought Sullivan
was drinking, and did not care to have
any difficulty with him. Sullivan left the
place, and short time afterward the
shooting took place.
1t was rather difficult matter to get
exact information as to the shooting, as
several parties who knew of the circum-
stances declined to talk. Ii was learned.
however, that after the difficulty in the
saloon, and the insult offered to Archer,
he armed himself, fearing a further at
tack. Where he secured the weapon is
not positively known, but one of the
Messrs. baltimore told friend that
Archer came to their store with a young
man. The young man went inside and
bought a SS-caliber pistol with five cart
ridges. while Archer stood outside. How
ever the weapon may have been secured,
Archer had it in his pocket when he next
met Sullivan, as It seems, entirely by ac-
cident
Two friends Of Archer who saw him
some fifteen or twenty minutes before the
difficulty took place, said he was perfect
IL calm, that he had not been drinking
and that he said nothing whatever about
the oifhculty he had had with Sullivan.
The next they heard of the matter the
shooting had taken place.
The story of the shooting is best told by
Mr.. Abrams, who was behind the bar at
his place on Bull street at the time.
Sullivan and Levan went into his place
together, he said, about 5;45 O'clock. They
ordered and drank a gin rickey. In a few
minutes another party came in and they
took a drink with him, both taking a
gin rickey again.
II was surprised" Mr.. Abrams said,
40 see Murt Sullivan in my place as he
has not been there in two years or more.
He and Levan came in and stood about
the middle of the bar. Sullivan said to
me: 1 owe you an apology; I have been
boosting Travers, but I m your friend and
am going to do what 1 can for you
After they had taken the second drink
Abrams said Levan and Sullivan went
over 20 the side table and ate cheese
sandwich. After this they came back TO
the bar for a third gin rickey, which was
given them, and 1t was at this time that
Archer and Mr.. William II. Feeley came
into the bar, and walked to the far end
of the counter toward the rear They or
dered two drinks, which were served, but
neither of them was ever taken.
Sullivan walked over from where he
was standing" Mr.. Abrams said, and
caught hold of Archer's coat. 1 heard
him say, Come outside, l want to
talk to you. Archer said then,
If you have anything to say to me, say 1T
here Then there followed some argu-
ment about the a. =. A. all Of which
did not hear 1t was quite brief, and I
heard Archer say, I've got the advantage
of you, 1 think, and l don't want to have
any difficulty with you. Please let me
alone
'At that time I spoke to Sullivan, and
said Look here, this is no place for a
difficulty; don't have any trouble here
He turned and shook hands with me. and
said there would be no trouble. At that
moment l turned my back 10 get a glass
or something from the case and as l
turned again TO the counter I saw Sulli-
van strike Archer in the head with his
fist. In almost the some moment there
were two pistol shots, Sullivan fell back
ward and Levan caught Archer around
the waist, holding his arms. Sullivan
was taken just outside the door for air,
and Archer was taken in charge by OIL
GERS. That is about all 1 can say Of the
matter"
After the shooting Detective Henry
Wetherhorn and Constable julius Kauf-
man. who were In a store next door went