The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-10-08
big JOHNS" WORK.
Slashed Number 5S4
Over the Head With
An Axe.
RESULT OF AN ITALIAN ROW.
Victim at Clinton Hospital
While Assailant Is
At Large.

Clinton, Oct. IAN Italian laborer,
known as No 5s4, lies at Clinton hos
pital tonight with fractured skull. He
may die, and may live, but the chances
are in favor of his death. He was
struck with an axe at $50 last night,
which was welded by giant known as
big John"
No. 5S4 is laborer employed by
sBusch Bros. as a shoveler. He has
been living in one of their shanties-
three miles out Of town. The shanties
are plentifully supplied with beer, and
this was no exception. Last night a
score or more Italians got to drinking.
About $50 o'clock 5S4 and big john
had q quarrel, some say over a division
of the beer, and others say over a
woman. At any rate, 5S4 had more
friends than big John" The former
commenced to beat the latter over the
head with empty beer bottles.
Driven to desperation, big john"
who is gigantic in stature, seized an
axe, which was in the shanty. He
swung it over his head and aimed a
fearful blow at 584. Fortunately for
5S4 he missed his aim, and struck only
glancing blow. That is why 5S4 lies
In Clinton hospital, alive tonight The
scalp of 584 YVES laid open in a CHASTITY
wound, more than seven inches long
He sank to the floor with groan.
big John" Immediately left the
shanty and headed for the Boylston
car barn. Opposite the car barn he
took the car conducted by Edward Nc
Geachy. McGeachy was surprised to
see such CHASTITY object as "Big John"
was board the car. The Italian was
covered with blood. His head was
gashed and covered with humps. He
was excited and told McGeachy that he
had been engaged in fight He said
that he and anotherman quarreled over
the beer. He said the others assaulted
him with empty bottles. Then he
seized the axe and struck out, Telling
the first man that came within reach.
McGeachy saw that big John" was
much excited, and supposed he was in
toxicated. 1t never entered the con-
ductor's head to stop the man. When
the car reached Church and High
streets, big John" got off and headed
for the depot. He has not been seen
since. The police have been searching
for him all day. In the meantime, the
injured man was allowed to go unat-
tended for an hour or two. At last
some of his friends thought Of calling
doctor. DR.. George l. Tobey was
sent for. He reached the scene about
o'clock this morning. He returned
to town about H. o'clock He found
5S4 badly injured, and had him removed
to the hospital. The wound in the
skull was Jagged and about inches
long. The outer table of the skull was
crushed inward upon the inner table
1t is thought that the inner table has
been depressed until it presses against
the brain. The man shows remark
able vitality. This afternoon it looked
as though he must die, but this even
ing he is improved and may recover.
The alarm has been sent to all the
surrounding towns. The police have
an excellent description of "Big John. :"
He is about six feet tall, stout, and
weighs about 100 pounds His most
noticeable Characteristic is a broken
rose. When last seen, he wore a pair
of light overalls Hight jumper and a
dark SLOUGH hat He has an excellent
command Of the English language.