New-York tribune., 1901-11-14
NITRDERED COLD BLOOD
A IoNGSHOREMAN SHOT DOWN BY A
MAN TO WHOM HE HAD NOT
SPOKEN

1obn Kennedy longshoreman, thirty-fve
wears old of No. 6SS Westinghouse, was shot
and instantly killed at 2:45 p. m. yesterday m
the saloon of Patrick Linsky at NO 4Oo west
ST. by Rinert Christensen, twenty-five years ole,
a Norwegian runner for sailors poaroihs
house at No 401 West-st.
The cause of the shooting seemed to be moth
ing more than sudden outburst of temper on
the part of the runner 1t was not apparent
that there was or had been any quarrel between
the men, None of the friends of the dead man
were aware that he knew the man who killed
him and it is probable that the two men were
strangers.
Kennedy. with his friend Edward Burke, an
other longshoreman. had been In Linskys saloon
for few minutes when Christensen entered.
Kennedy and Burke standing at the bar
and Christensen stood a few feet away racing
the bartender, Patrick Mackin and also leaning
against the bar.
Burke had lately left the hospital, where ne
had been under treatment for a broken leg, and
he and Kennedy were discussing the accident
and hospitals The bartender had waited on
them and turned toward Christensen to ask
what he would have. when Kennedy turned tow
ard the bar and accidentally placed his hanu
on that of Christensen Before he could apoio-
gize or say anything Christensen drew re-
volver and. pointing it at Kennedy. with MS
arm his chest and IN 'front.' Oh MS
chin fired two shots in rapid succession The
shots were at such close range that the burning
powder backened Kennedys face. The blood
pushed from his face, and he fell to the foor
without speaking.
Christensen stood apparently dazed. for mo-
ment and then started leisurely for the door,
with the revolver still in his hand. Before ne
had reached 1t he was intercepted by Llnsky,
who heard the shots upstairs Although CnTls-
tensen still held the smoking revolver IN MS
hand. Linsky went up to him boldly ana told MN
to nut the revolver in his pocket. Christensen
obeyed blindIy and Linsky told the man 70 stay
where he was The Norwegian stood quietly be-
side the door while some bystanders went for a
Dolceman He acted If he did not know
what he was doing what was going on ABOUT
him. -, -.
Idnskv trembling in every limb and with the
perspiration pouring from him at the thought
that Christensen might use his revolver again
still kept his nerve and engaged Christensen IN
conversation until policeman arrived ne
asked Christensen why he had shot hennedy;
and the murderer said that Kennedy had called
him bad name" His replies TO questions
were hesitating and unsatisfactory
Patrolman Wilkenson and Detective hnleran
reached the saloon the same moment. ana
tbav took Christensen to the Charles-st station
The body of Kennedy was taken there later IN
a patrol wagon. ,,
christensen sullenly refused to say anythlng
,o the police Mackin the bartender, said that
Christensen was not intoxicated. Mackln hedrd
no words between the two men, and did not near
Kennedy use obscene profane language
Mrs Elmer Bernard, the wife OF the Keeper OF
the boarding house, and the murderers s sister,
saulted a few weeks ago by number of long
shoremen among whom was Kennedy he was
still weak from the beating, which had kept MN
in bed for several days.