The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-17
Was Drinking with Two Women
When He Became Involved I'm q
Quarrel with q Detective.
ANGRY WORDS EXCHANGED
THEN THE BANKER AND THE DE-
TECTIvE WENT OUTSIDE.
Mr.. Fish Was Found Soon Afterwards
in q Dying Condition and Taken to
a Hospital, Where He Expired.

NEW YORK, Sept 16-The death of
Nicholas Fish the result of quarrel
In a saloon, and the arrest of Thomas j.
Sharkey a private detective, on the charge
of homicide in that connection, has been
the subject of close police investigation and
conjecture all day. Mr.. Fish was the head
Of one Of the most distinguished families in
the United States, banker OF great
wealth, and at one time minister at the
court of Belgium. He died at the Roose-
welt Hospital from the effects Of injuries
received during an alteration with a
stranger in Erhardt's saloon, at the corner
of Eight avenue and Thirty-fourth street.
According to information gathered by the
police, Mr.. Fish's death was due to blow
struck by Sharkey. who, with two
women who were present at the time,
was arrested after the death. Con-
flcting stories, such as would
naturally follow an event in which criminal
responsibility must be placed, are told, but
there seems to be no doubt that Mr. Fish
had a quarrel with a private detective
named Thomas ]. Sharkey, who Joined the
banker at a table, where he had been for
several hours drinking with Mrs. Libby j.
Phillips, thirty-eight years old, and Mrs.
Nellie Casey, thirty years old, These wom-
en- and Thomas j. Sharkey, forty-eight
years old, private detective, were arrested
early to-day in connection with the case
According to the police, Fish entered
the saloon with Mrs. Phillips and
Mrs. Casey. The police say that Mrs. Phil
lips knew who Fish was, but that neither
Mrs. Casey nor Sharkey, who subsequently
joined the party, were aware of his iden-
tity. Sharkey. who knew the women, was
not reluctant to join the party when one
of the women invited him to. The police
say that Fish did most Of the buying Fish
then discovered that his money was ex-
hausted, and he announced that he would
have to draw check. sharkey, ignorant
of Fishs identity, questioned his ability to
make his check good. Fish, it is said, took
offense at this, and angry words ensued
Then, according to the police, some one
slapped Fish's face. One of the women,
clinging to Fish's arm. dragged him toward
the door of the saloon and out to the side
walk.
The police said that Sharkey attempted
to follow Fish, but was for a moment re-
strained from doing so by the other woman.
He finally went out of the saloon, and he
and Fish encountered each other on the
sidewalk. Sharkeys hat had been knocked
off and he was bareheaded. There was
scuffie, by whom commenced it is not
known. Fish fell, or was knocked down.
his head striking a fiagstone. Just before
the scuffie on the sidewalk commenced Mrs
Casey, becoming alarmed. hurriedly left
the party. After Fish fell it is said that
Sharkey re-entered the saloon then left il
and went into a saloon a few doors away
and a moment later left that place and
boarded a street car He was closely fol-
lowed by Mrs. Phillips, who was carrying
his hat and also boarded the car Fish
was lying unconscious on the sidewalk
and knot of people gathered about him.
and some men carried him into the hallway
of the saloon and tried TO revive him. Be-
ing unsuccessful. they again brought HIM
to the street. thinking he might revive
there. He was lying on the street when a
policeman appeared. The officer called an
ambulance from Roosevelt Hospital. Fish's
identity was not learned until the hospital
was reached and his clothing searched AS
soon as IL was learned who he was he was
entered a private patient
Mrs. Casey, Mrs. Phillips and Sharkey
were arraigned to-day In Police Court L ne
last named was held in $40 900 BAIL and
Mrs. Phillips and Mrs. Casey In $500 bail
each as witnesses.
preliminary to his arraisnment: II went