New-York tribune., 1903-06-29
RUFFIAN SHOT OFFICER.
GUILTY OF ONE MURDER.
PotroIman McGrath Dangerously
Uounded at Clifton.

Harboring an insane grudge against the pohce'
Harry Kelley, who for years has been a terror
TO many persons on Staten Island. started our on
Saturday night armed with six chambered re-
volyer and 134 cartridges. lie announced ne
was going to do up policeman, and would
then be ready for the electric chair. Early
Yesterday morning he shot Patrolman James
McGrath, who is in the S. r. Smith 1nhrmary'
at New-Brighton. so severely wounded that it is
not believed he will live.
Kelley is about thirty years old. and lives
with his parents in New -York-ave., in Clifton.
Ten years ago. when he became involved IN
fight with James Mcnamara. he kicked him IN
the abdomen and SO injured him that death re-
suited. He was convicted and sent to Sing sing
for five years. Since his release he has haa
more than one clash with the police.
The trouble of yesterday morning had its real
inception about six months ago at a ball in CHI
ton. Kelley made trouble and attacked Palroi-
mnn William Jose, who was called in. When
the fight was over Patroman Jose was pretty
well used up, but so was Keeley, who landed In
a cell On the advice of the doctors Keeley was
committed to the Manhattan Asylum Tor ninety
days, but thirty days after he was committed
the patroiman having Clifton for post reported
at the police station that keeley was again on
Staten Island.
ORDERED AWAY BEFORE HE FIRED
Early in the morning Keeey met Henry VIII
termeyer and John Fritz at Broad and CehIe
sts. He showed them his revolver and started
an argument Believing him TO be dangerous,
they hurried away. AT Hutton-st- they met
Patroman McGrath and told him about heeie9'
McGrath walked to Centre-St-, found keeley stlii
there and ordered him away. For some reason
McGrath turned half way around, and as he
did so Kelley opened fire. Two shots went Wiio
but three took effect. One lodged in the officer
left breast another entered the right shoulder
and the third tore the fingers Of his right hand
On hearing the shots Fritz and Wlnterneyer
started to to where the trouble was. keeley
fred at them. The bullet hit Fritz IN the lett
foot and brought him down. Not knowing how
many more shots were in reserve. Wintermeyer
stopped and aided his companion out of range.
Patrolman John Durkin reached the scene
within q minute. and other men came rum ing
up from all directions. AS Durkin bent Ger
McGrath the latter said:
I'm shot. John. He did it.
FOUGHT DESPERATELY AFTER ARREST.
Durkin made for Kelley. who showed fight
Durkin's first blow with the billy across
Keeley's mouth, driving out several teeth and
cutting the lips Kelley dropped, but on his
feet again. with the revolver drawn almost in
stantly Again the billy laid him down with a
scalp wound. Durktn then asked the crowd to
look after the wounded officer and get an am
bulance 1t took Durkin long time to get
Keeley to the police station, half a mile away
Kelley fought every foot OF the way IL re
quired the strength of four officers to search
him They took cartridges from every pocket
until 12S were piled the desk.
A negro named Scudder, who was taken into
the house as a witness. was searched, and the
revolver carried by McGrath found in one
of his pockets. He was locked up on charge of
highway robbery. The police said he stole the
revolver from the wounded officers pocket.
McGrath was taken to the S. R. Smith mfr
mary. Yesterday Kelley was held without bail
and Scudder, in default OF Sl5oo, was also held
by Magistrate Croak, in the New-Brighton
court Durkin alleges that the way to the
station house Kelley repeatedly said he would
kill an officer before he was through.