The record-union., 1899-12-28
An UNFORTUNATE AFFAIR.
A GREYHOUND PUPPY COSTS A
MAN HIS LIFE.
Aged John Hennessey's Death Fol-
lows q Blow Struck by Will
lam L. Mcmahon.

John Hennessey, who 1or Yeas
past had lived at Nineteenth ana
streets, died early yesterday 1norhine
from injuries received on Wednesday
afternoon in an alteration with VIII
lam l.. Mcmahon, a young man Wno
lives with his father at twenty III
and o streets.
The circumstances surrounding lhe
death Of Mr. Hennessey were such as 10
warrant Coroner McMullen in hoidlns
an inquiry into the cause, and TINS was
done last evening.
In the meantime the police having
been notified, Officers NJ A. Fisher ana
Fitzgerald arrested young McManon'
who declared his intention OF going pc
fore the Coroners jury and telling all
about the unfortunate proceeding. SUBJ
seuuently he secured the services of At
torney Frank D. Ryan, who advised
him to refrain from taking the witness
stand, and he followed the advice.
1t developed at the inquest that the
Hennessey and Mcmahon families had
been on terms of the closest intimacy
for thirty years, and were at the time
of the alteration, which resulted fatal
ly.
the Sisters Hospital was the first wit
ness called He testified that on Tues
day afternoon he was called to attend
John Hennessey, who was lying In
barn at Twenty fifth and o streets. He
was unconscious and had bump On
the left side of his head about as big as
a hens egg. His breath smelled OF
liquor, and witness thought it was a
case of slight conclusion. He ordered
him put to bed and visited him later in
the evening. At that time the swelling
had disappeared. Yesterday morning
he received a telephone message THAT
Hennessey was dead.
Witness was present when the
autopsy was held, and saw a clot of
blood on the brain, which might have
been caused from blow or a fall.
E. M. Lakin was next called. He was
at Twenty and o streets on Tues
day afternoon and saw John Mcmahon,
father of William Mcmahon, and Hen
nessey crossing the street. having a
greyhound pup in leash. Mary Nc
Mahon, John McMahon's daughter, fol-
lowed them, and insisted that Hennes-
sey release the puppy, and that he
should not take it. Her father said he
had given it to Hennessey, and then
Hennessey said something, and he and
Mcmahon commenced quarreling, and
witness went into the saloon. When
he came out Hennessey was lying on
the sidewalk in an unconscious condi-
ton. Witness did not see the trouble
between William McMahon and Hen
Messy.
Dan Fitzgerald was the next witness.
He saw a crowd gather on the street
and, upon investigation, saw Hennes-
sey lying unconscious with blood on his
face.
DR.. f. S. Atkinson, who held the
autopsy, was next called. He testified
that there was a confusion on Hennes-
sey's left cheek, and that piece OF
the jaw-bone had been splintered off
On the left side of the head, and well
back, it was found on removing the scalp
to- have been bruised, and blood had
gathered on that portion of the skull
When the skull was laid open it was
found that there had been a hemorrhage
and that clot of blood had gathered
pressing on the brain and causing
death. The skull was not fractured. DR.
Atkinson said the bruise on the face
was not of a serious nature, and that
death undoubtedly resulted from the
blow on the back of the head, which
might have been caused by a fall as
we'll as from blow.
John Mcmahon, father of William
Mcmahon, was next called He was
visibly affected and frequently broke
down while giving his testimony He
said that he and the deceased had been
about town, and that they had taken
some beer, though neither was drunk
Hennessey told him he was going to
get his son a job in the railroad shops
and said that in return he wanted one
Of witness white greyhound puppies
Witness told him he could have it, and
have it then, and they went and got
the puppy and were leaving with it
when witness daughter Mary ran after
them. She objected to Hennessey TAX
ing the puppy which was hanging back
and finally loosened the strap around
its neck.
Then, witness said, Hennessey turned
to the girl, spoke insultingly to her
and repeated the words. Witness said
nothing, but his son William, who had
heard the words ran across the street