The sun., 1902-03-11
M'CULLAGH DEPUTY SHOT DOWN.
Dying OF n Diyekeepcr's Bullet Fired on
the BOwery.

Lester Bennett, one OF Supt. McCullagh's
election deputies, was shot last night by
the manager OF an East Side saloon and
in all probability will die Of his wound
The shooting was done by Abraham kutner
Of Delaney street, manager OF the saloon
at II Bleecker street, which Is Of unsavory
reputation even for Powery resort.
Kutner is under arrest.
His saloon has been so often visited by
McCullaghs men and by anti-vice ofiicers
that Kutner apparently got it into his head
that he was being bounded. He applied
a vile epithet to Supt MoCullagh last night
and Bennett resenting it was shot down.
Late Yesterday afternoon Kutner quar-
relied with two men who were drinking
in the Beecker street saloon. kutner
prides himself ON his ability as 'scrapper,
and he promised the men that ~ they would
90 out on the sidewalk he would do them
both. The men accepted the invitation,
but while Kutner was proceeding 10
carry out his boast Policeman Hogan OF
Headquarters came along and arrested
all three.
Kutner was bailed out about o'clock
Walking back along the Bowery TO his
excited over the events OF the afternoon
and the sight Of Bennett, who was active
at election time in getting evidence against
colonizing places on the lower East Side,
was too much for him.
Walking beside Bennett, Kutner began
to revile him. The deputy took no notice,
At Bleecker street Kutner, still dogging
Bennett met Policeman Robert Binning
Of the Mercer street precinct, who knew
both men. Hating in front Of the police
man, Kutner, pointing to the deputy. asked
exctedly:
what do you think Of these blsnketyy
blank blanksf They try to do me up right
along Because Of them l got punch
in the jaw this afternoon. i think that
man McCulagh Is -
"Tve good mind to punch you for saying
that" retorted Bennett.
Binnings saws that on this Kutner stepped
back and put his hand in his right hip
pocket Neither Binnings nor Bennett
thought that he was reaching for pistol
but quick as flash he whipped out re-
volver and pressing IL against Benefits
abdomen, pulled the trigger.
Bennett dropped instantly and hutner
ran across the Bowery toward Second
street, throwing the revolver away. Bin
ninRs pursued and caught him on the
Second street corner Bennett as he lay
on the sidewalk identified him az the man
who had shot him
Binning handed Kutner over toanother
policeman and called an ambulance from
ST. Vincents Hospital for Bennett.
Dr. Shaw who came with the ambulance,
stopped the flow Of blood from the wound
to some extent and took Bennett away.
AT the hospital. il was said last night that
the deputy could hardly recover Late
last night Coroner was sent for TO take
his ante -mortem statement. but Bennett
was too III 20 make one.
Kutner was locked up In the Mercer
street station. He refused to make any
statement to the police. Sergt. Walling
endeavored both by messenger and by
telephone to get into communication with
District Attorney Jerome. but was unable
to do 80.
Soon after his arrival at the hospital
Bennett told one Of the doctors that he had
been shot by a man who he had supposed
was friend Of his.
we had been drinking together during
the day. said Bennett, and think the
shooting was a put-up job 20 get me out
of the way to prevent me giving testimony
in case that is coming up tomorrow.