New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-30
DIR. SKINNER IMPROVING.
NO crEw TO THE IDENTITY OF HIS AS
SAILANT
BURGLARY THEORY ABANDoNED-THE SHOOTING
GENERALLY REGARDED AS A DELibEfArh
ATTEMPT AT MURDER FOR RE
VENICE or MALICE

The theory that Dr. F. d. Skinner was shot py
hrrclar has been practically abandoned p"'h oy
the people Of Mineola and the two detectives WIN
are working on the case. and the theory now gen
orally accepted is that the shooting was '"e ou'
come Of malice. ,,. a.
r,.,.c,,ves sullivan and Downey. of District-At-
,ornev YounCs's STAFF, spent yesterday morning On
the case They had an hours conversation WIN
DIR skinner in the afternoon. after which 'hey
boarded a train for Long Island CITY. Inc! hau
consultation with Mr. Youngs. or one Oh MS as
sls;ants and then returned to Mineoia Ihey ai'o'
ward went further out the island. They retuseo
Il, tell what DR. Skinner told them but the impress
sions prevails that he gave them some points WHICH
furnished them with clew to work upon.
The surgeons and the detectives think the weapon
used was not shotgun. but an oio-iashoheu Hiu
z,eoading PISTOL The fact that the slugs and shot
did not penetrate further into the hesh IMAM '"e'
did is one reason for this conclusion. iau sHo'
gun been used the charge Of powder must ha'o
been very small. The shot was at close range am
the man who fired II must have been On MS Knees
near the half-winuow through which the c""' so
went This shown by powder marks upo" '"e
woodwork
DR.. Skinner says he has no enemies nor ooes no
call 10 mind any one who would have cause 10 IN
jure him. Despite this assurance me opiiio or
gains ground that some one MIN " i""''e0
The person who called the doctor out OF bed was was
familiar with his habits and business or ne was
dying The window TO the office was opened; TINS ms
window commanded the spot where Inc uoctoi nau
20 90 10 got his medicine case, while there were
other windows In the office which coulo nave oeS e
opened more easily but which did not command me
position of the case This case always stooo III mo
one position 1t is said that al ali times even ~
tho dark the doctor could lay his hand upon II II
called upon TO go out at night In hurry AtHiost
every one in Mineola knew the position OF. the
case and was familiar with the arrangement OF the
Office. .-, ..o.. 49,
An examination OF the brass slugs taken from tne
doctors hips show they were cut from piece OF
brass with a coldchisel or u Ratchet Ihey are
irregular in form and appear In some instances 10
have been cut into two parts after being chlppeo
from the main piece , -. 1870.
DR. skinner cannot lie his back. but must
either remain fiat upon his stomach or else partly
on one eide. He IS resting comfortably, ana mas
little fever. -. 49,
A careful examination has been made OF me ne
cases handled by Dr. Skinner since he was elected
Coroner in the hope that some one would be
found TO have been compromised or injured by
one OF them, thus giving what might be considered
a cause Of enmity against the doctor But In every
instance where suspicion was directed TO any ono
there does not appear TO be any reason TO suppose
the person would have been guilty of the shooting.