Omaha daily bee., 1902-09-17
Private Detective Named sharksy Alleged
to Have Struck Fatal Blow.
VICTIM SPENDING EVENING WITH WOMEN
ASsailant Joined Them Later and Quarre
Ultimately Resulted
LEFT LYING UNCONSCIOUS ON SIDEWALK
Fish was Member of one of Oldest
Families In New York and De-
IOnEed to n Prominent
Banking Firm.

NEW YORK, Sept 16.-Nicholas Fish,
millionaire. descendant of one Of the best
known of American families, died at the
Roosevelt hospital at 1926 this morning, the
result Of an injury received in Ehrhardt's
saloon, 200 West Thirty fourth street, yes
terday. Whether he was murdered or fell
the police have not yet determined.
Conflicting stories. such as would nat
urally follow an event In which criminal re-
sponsibility must be placed, told, but
there seems to be no doubt that Mr. Fish
had quarrel with a private detective
named Thomas ]. sharkey, who Joined the
banker at table, where he had been for
several hours drinking with mrs. Libby ].
Phillips and Mrs. Nellie Casey.
Mrs. Libby Phillips, "a years old, Mrs,
Nellie Casey. 80 years old. and Thomas ].
Sharkey, As years old, a private detective,
were arrested early today in connection with
the case.
According to the police Mr.. Fish entered
Ehrhardt's saloon, rs West Thirty fourth
street, yesterday afternoon with Mrs. Phil
lips and Mrs. Casey. The police say that
Mrs. Phillips knew who Fish was. but that
neither Mrs. Casey nor Sharkey, who sub
sequently 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 announced
that he would have to draw e check
sharkey ignorant OF Fish's identity, ques-
toned his ability to make his check good.
Fish. 1t is saIu. TOOK onense at this and
angry words ensued. Then. according to
the police. someone slapped Fish's face. One
OF the women, clinging to Fish's arm,
Arag n tt. n a.
and out to the sidewalk.
Restrained by the Women.
The police say 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. Sharkey's hat had been knocked
of and he was bareheaded. There was a
scuhHe, by whom commenced 1t is not
known. Fish fell or was knocked down, his
head striking flagstone.
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
and then left II and went into saloon a
few doors away and a moment later left
that place and boarded a street car.
He was closely followed by Mrs. Phillips,
who was carrying his hat and who also
boarded the car. Fish was lying uncon-
Bcious on the sidewalk and a lot Of people
gathered about him and some men carried
him into the hallway Of the saloon and
tried TO revive him. Being unsuccessful,
they again brought him to the street, think
ing he might revive there. He was lying
on the street when the officer arrived and
who called an ambulance from Roosevelt
hospital. Fish's Identity was not learned
until his clothing was searched. As soon
as this was learned he was entered as a
private patient.
Arraigned in Police Court.
Mrs. Phillips. Mrs. Casey and sharkey
were arraigned today in police court and
were held to the coroner. The police stated
to the sitting magistrate that they were
held as suspicious characters in connection
with the death of Nicholas Fish. Mrs
Casey denied all knowledge OF the case
Mrs. Phillips, when questioned about the
case, said: you'll find out later"
Banker Fish. who was SO years Of age
was the descendant of one OF the oldest and
most distinguished of American families
His grandfather, Colonel Nicholas Fish
fought with distinction in the battles o.
Harlem Heights Saratoga and Yorktown
and his father, Hamilton Fish, was the firs
secretary Of state under President Grant.
After several years in the diplomatic
service he entered the banking business IL
this city, in 1887 OF his brothers, Hamil
ton is former speaker Of the New York as
sembly and StuyvesRnt Is president OF tn,
Illinois Central Railroad company.
Coroner Jackson held sharkey in 81, 90,
bail and Mrs. Phillips and Mrs, Casey II
$500 bail each as witnesses.
Sharkey made the following statemen
preliminary to his arraignment:
went into Ehrhardt's and saw there tive
women with whom was acquainted. They
and have a drink"
I went over and sat down with them, ant
Banker Fish seemed ] to taEs Keen oreSse sS@e at 'n mj
being there. We had a few words AMI
all az one he drew of with his arm an,
struck me. Then We both got up l wen
out one door and he the other. He mus
have stumbled down the steps and failei
IN going out
Caused by a Blow.
Coroner Jackson made an examination O
Mr.. Ftsh's body. He said no fracture O
the skull had been found. He believe
death had been due to paralysis OF tn
brain, caused by a blow on the left side o
the face or head. He thought that II Nj
Fish had fallen on a stone or pavement an
been injured the skull would probabl
have been fractured, The coroner sal
that knockout blow usually caused paraly
sis or coneussion OF the brain. The pup
OF Mr.. Fish's right eye was dilated, Will
the left was contracted. and the corcne
said this was a symptom OF paralysis c
the brain.
DIR. o'HAnlon, eoroners physician, per
formed an autopsy on the body Of Mr.. Fisl
He found that death was caused by cerebrs
hemorrhaRe due 10 violence