Waterbury Democrat., 1902-09-16
BANKER E|SH IS D[AD
A Man Giving Name of Thomas
 Sharkey is Arrested.

AIAAAcA(A w d5 AAIldShCu w hIAC AAGll-
 ing Dinner in a German Restaurant
 His Assailant After Pounding and
 Pummelipg Him Boarded Car and
 Escaped-Later He Was Arrested.
 New York, Sept 16.-A man giving the name of Thomas Sharkey was ar rested early to-day charged by the police with assaulting the banker, Nicholas Fish, who died shortly before 5 o'clock this morning MT Fish's in- Jur1es, which were at first supposed to have been caused by fall, develop ed under investigation by detectives, to have been the result of most bru- tai assault
 The banker left. his office in the Ma tlonal Park building in the afternoon lie rode to 34th street and entered d German restaurant near Eighth ave nue. He was seated at a table where he spent about two hours. IIhfee women occupied seats near by. Suddenly a heavy set man strode into the room and was seen to SNeak to MT Fish. What was said could not be heard but the banker started to rise from his chair when he received a terrific blow in the face. His assail- ant rained blow after blow upon his head, but the banker managed to reach the sidewalk where he was again struck down. His assailant ran to Eighth avenue where he boarded a car and rode away. From the accur- ate description furnished by those in the restaurant the police set to work at once and about the same time MT Fish was breathing his last at the Roosevelt hospital the arrest of the man known as Sharkey was made.
 Banker Fish, who was B years old, was the descendant of one of the oldest and most distinguished of Amer ican families. His grandfather, Col Nicholas Fish, fought with distinction in the battles of Harlem Heights Saratoga and Yorktown, and his father, Hamilton Fish, was the first secretary of state under President Grant.
 After several years in diplomatic service he entered the banking busi- ness in this city in 1887. Of his brothers, Hamilton is former republi- can speaker of the New York assembly and Stuyyesant is president of the Illinois Central Railroad Co. His son. Sergeant Hamilton Fish, of the Rough Rider regiment, was killed at the battle of San Juan hill.
 Another story is that MT Fish en- tered Erhardt's saloon, 20 West 34th street yesterday afternoon with Mrs Phillips and Mrs Casey. The police say that Mrs Phillips knew who Fish was, but that neither Mrs Casey nor Sbarkey, who subsequently, joined the party, were aware of his identity. 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 exhausted, and he an nounced that he would have to draw check. Sharkey, ignorant of Fish's identity, questioned his ability to make his check good Fish, it is said, took offense at this and angry. words en- sued 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 on to the sidewalk. The police say that Sharkey attempted to follow Fish, but was for a moment restrained from doing so by the other He. saloon and he and Fish encountered each other on the sidewalk. Shark ey's hat had been knocked off and he was bareheaded. Thefe was a scufflt 1 by whom commenced is is not known
 Fish fell or was knocked down, his head striking against a f1agstone Just before the scuffle on the sidewalk com
 menced Mrs Casey, becoming alarmed l l1171, 1nff fbo 4u EiSI fell, it is said that Sharkey re-entereG l the saloon and then left it and went l into billiard saloon a few doors away
 and a moment later left the place and l boarded a street car. He was closely
 followed by Mrs Phillips, who was | carrying his hat and who also board ed the car.s Fish who was lying un conscious on the sidewalk was carried l into the hallway of the saloon and eff 1 forts were tried to revive him, but 1 without success. An ambulance from
 the Roosevelt hospital was called an6 1 Dr Havens, who responded, said tha1
 Fish was in serious condition. His | identity was not learned until the | hospital was reached and his clothine l searched
 Mrs Casey, Mrs Phillips and Shar 1 key were arraigned to-day in police court and were held for the coroner
 A detective said to the sitting magis.
 trate that the prisoners were arraign l ed as suspicious persons in connection
 with the death of Nicholas Fish.
 Mrs Casey denied all knowledge o1 1 the case. Mrs Phillips when ques
 toned about the case, said You'll fn6
 out 1ater.''
 1 When Sharkey and the two women reached the coroner's office, Sharkey made the following statement pre- l liminary to his arraignment before
 Coroner Jackson: T went into Err | hardt's saloon and saw these two wo
 men, with whom I am acquainted l They called out when they saw me 1 Come over, Tom, and have drink I ''I went over aind sat down with them and after we had talked together some Fish seemed to take offense at my being there We had a few words and all at once. he drew off and struck
 me. Then we both got up. went out one door and he the other. He must have stumbled down the steps and fallen in going out"
 Coroner Jackson held Sharkey in S1O,0OO bail, and Mrs Libbie Phillips and Mrs Nellie Casey in $500 bail 1 each as a witness.
 Coroner Jackson held an exam1na. {