Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-04-03
SHOT IN THE BACK
Industrious and Faithful Work.
 man FoulIy Murdered.


 in the annals of the police was that committed last evening ,bout 11:30 o'clock, when James Meehan, aged AZ, of 81 Avon avenue, was shot in the back while working in the rail- road yard near the Meriden junc- tion. Two bullets penetrated his body, causing such wounds that death came two minutes after the shots were fired. August Molusky, fellow workman, was arrested a short time after the shooting, ac- cused of the murder, and ill the city court this morning his case was con- tinued until tomorrow without bonds. The shooting is believed to have been the climax of trouble be- tween the men many months ago and which of late had grown into very bad feeling between the men. The railroad employees are very reticent about the events leading up to the killing, while the accused man had nothing to say. But 1t is expected that Deputy Coroner W. D. Make peace will elicit much information from his investigations to-day;
 Meehan had scarcely breathed his last when suspicion immediately pointed to Molusky, and 1t took the police less than half an hour after hearing the story of several railroad men to hasten to the home of Mo- husky, find a revolver still warm, place Molusky under arrest and have him in readiness for the arrival of the patrol wagon. Molusly lives with his wife and family in Dunn's block at 205 South Leonard street. When the officers arrived at his house Molusky was in bed with his street clothes on. The revolver lay on the bureau close to ais bed and in the drawer was a box of bullets, out of which some had been taken. The revolver which was Of 32 cali Der, Iver Johnson make, was loaded in every chamber. Molusky did not seem much surprised, but ,he pres ence of the police caused much ex- citement among his family. He made no objection to being taken to the station.
 It was just about half after II last evening when four shots, the rail- road men say four, rang out clear and distinct in the yard where so many accidents have already oc- cured. The shots came from the direction of the bridge near South Fifth street and in a very few min utes all the men in the yard had hurried to the spot whence the re- port of the shots came. The first to reach the angle where the pit and coal tracks separate saw Meehan lying on the ground apparently in a dying condition. They had cen him, or at least a couple of them think they saw Meehan struggling with his assailant, but the latter was fleeing before anyone could get a look at him. It seems no one gave chase. Meehan tried to place his hand around on his back, but it was vain effort. Nevertheless it showed the other men where Meehan had been shot, and they rmediately saw that two bullets had entered the mans body from the redr. One cut its way through close to the base of the skull. Meehan expired without word in less than two minutes after the shooting was done. The medical examiner was notified right away and the police were also sum moned. Officers Claffey, Donahue and Callahan, who were on duty in Brooklyn, arrived, and later Detec- tive Keegan appeared upon the scene. The arrest of NJ usky fol- lowed. The medical ex., 'uiner had the body removed to Mulville'g un- dertaking rooms.
 From what could be teamed this morning there has been trouble be- tween Molusky and fellow employees for some time. He has been em- ployed on the switcher off and on for six years, but of late has been working simply as a spare fireman on the pusher. It seems that some time ago, so it was said shis morn- ing. Meehan and Molusky had fight in the yard, in which Molusky was worsted. A we'll known Diooklynite Informed a reporter Of the Demo- erat to-day that the Molrslsy- Meehan row went to the courts at that time, but Superintendent of Police Beach remembers nothing of it, nor does any of the other officers. The rail- road men would not talk for publica- | ton, but 1t appears they are bitter | in their feeling against Molusky and l are much wrought up oye. the death | of Meehan, who was very popular | among his fellow employees. He was | rear brakeman or fiagman on the i pusher, on which Molusky mas been l working as fireman. Walter Nee | han was the engineer. Ii is the sup position that Meehan. that Is James, | words the past few days and the ola trouble evidently broke out anew.
 At any rate Molusky did not work I last evening. His wife states the | reason why he did not do so was | because of the late hour he worked l until yesterday morning. Moreover he was suffering with a sore foot and l e sore hand. He was around his | home much of the day. but fast even ing went out. It seems thlt he re- i ported to the trainmas' a-'s office doOAt H VI NAOIh AhSN evening" anu as far as is known no moye was seen of him until he was arrested at his home. The reason why he went tO the office to report last night was because of the rule that an employe has to report twelve hours before he goes to work after he has dad some time off. It is the supposition tha. Molusky after leaving the trlfnmas- ter's ofIiee lOitered around until he