The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-11-10
DAUGHTER OF INTENDED
VICTIM SAVES HIS LIFE
Fancied Grievance On Part of AssaiI-
ant, Who Was About Half Crazy,
Caused the Attack-Post-
master Will Recover.


Morgan, postmaster of New York city,
who was wounded in the abdomen this
morning by bullet fired by E. H. P.
Mackay, an eccentric English stenogra-
pher, who then committed suicide, was
resting we'll tonight and, unless complica-
tions develop, he will recover
Mr.. Morgan probably owes his life to
the quick wit and bravery of his 14-year-
old daughter, Dorothy, who saw Mackay
draw his revolver, and struck it with her
hand. This DETECTED the bullet; other
wise the postmaster would have been fa-
tally wounded, for his assailant was at
close range and fired four shots in all.
The shooting occurred at One Hundred
and Forty-sixth street, and only short
distance from MIR. Morgan's home. He
was on his way down town at the time.
An investigation of the life and record
of Mackay reveals that he was of a NOR
bio nature and former inmate of an
asylum in Worcester, Mass That his act
WAS premeditated is made certain by a
letter he left, but aside from a fancied
grievance against MIR. Morgan and the
pcstoffice authorities concerning the han
ding of his mall nothing has come to
light to indicate why he should have
sought to murder the postmaster. His
clothing, when searched, gave up be-
heavy slungshot, knife with four-inch
blade and clasp knife.
A quantity of literature on socialism
ard a slungshot similar to the one found
or the body were discovered in his room.
That he was rational during work hours,
however, was attested by the Broadway
firm of lawyers by whom he was en-
ployed.
The Encounter.
Mr. Morgan had left his home in
West One Hundred and Forty-sixth
street for his office and had
just reached the corner at Broadway
when the man stepped in front of him.
There were several persons within
few feet of the two but none of them
heard a word spoken and the first in
timation they had of trouble was when
a shot rang out and Mr.. Morgan fell to
the ground with bullet through his
stomach. He lost consciousness i'm
medately. For an instant after the
shot had been fired the assailant stood
looking down upon his victim. Then
he raised the still smoking revolver, and
pressing it against his head, pulled the
trigger. The bullet did not cause a
fatal wound and once more, and then
third time, the man sent bullet
crashing against his skull. The third
ball penetrated the brain and the man
fell dead. As he lay there with the
revolver still clenched in his hand. sew
eral persons who had witnessed the
double shooting rushed up to the as
sistance of Mr.. Morgan, whom some of
them had recognized. A physician was
called from a house near by and was
with the wounded man within few
moments after the first shot had been
fired. He was unable to do anything
to relieve the wounded man at the mo-
ment, but had Mr.. Morgan removed to
his residence only a few doors from
the corner. There another physician
was called in in consultation 1t was
found the bullet had passed entirely
through the stomach and the doctors
held out little hope for Mr.. Morgans
recovery. Hurried preparations were
made, however, to perform an opera
tion.
Great Crowd Gathers.
While the surgeons were working
over Mr.. Morgan at his home in an
effort to save his life, the body of the
man who fired the shot and then killed
himself was lying on the sidewalk
where he had fallen. A great crowd
had gathered at the scene, but detail
of policemen who had been rushed to
the place Immediately after the sh oot
ing stood guard over the body.
Mr.. Morgan has been connected with
the postal service in New York for a.
quarter of a century. He began his ca
y
worked his way to the top. Last year
he was promoted from assistant post
master to the position of postmaster to
succeed William R. Wilcox, who became
a public service commissioner Mr. Nor
gan is the republican leader in the Wash
ington Heights assembly district.
When the physicians made closer ex-
animation they found that Mr.. Morgans
wound was not so serious as at first sup
posed. 1t is now believed that the walls
OF the stomach were not penetrated by
tie ball and that the postmaster has
chance for recovery.
Mackey's Letter.
Mackey left letter in his rooms in
wrich he declared his act was 'the last
protest of a poor man against the GUS
tom of never-enduring laws against
prominent or wealthy people" Mackay
stated also that revenge was one of the
motives which animated him, and that
he knew he was not morally justified in
killing the postmaster and that most
men would consider his act that of an
insane man. He asserted the postmaster
had withheld a registered letter addressed
to Mackey under trade name and had
frsisted that he produce certificate
showing his right to receive such mail.
Mackey declared that he was reconciled
for killing himself, because of his failing
eyeslght, which he said would only leave
him bare existence for the rest of his
life, and that he chose the postmaster as
l4s victim as he was the most prominent
man who had antagonized him.