The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-12-26

New York, Dee 25.-Matthew J. Nc
Grath, champion hammer thrower Of
America and policeman attached 10 the
18th precinct is a prisoner In the Ray
mond street jail. charged with felonious
assault McGrath is accused of shoot
ing George F. Walker, Of 577 East Sec
ond street Brooklyn. The affair took
place in the dining-room of McGrath's
nome IN Brooklyn shortly after midnight
This morning. Seven shots were exchanged
in the fight
Walker is a prisoner in the Kings
County Hospital In a serious condition
With The chances for his recovery about
even. He was hit five times. three of the
bullets lodging in the lower abdomen,
while the other TWO pierced his thighs
His head was also badly beaten. Nc
Grath was uninjured, although a bullet
WhiZzed through leg of his trousers.
WeH-lsnOvsn Athlete.
McGrath is one of the best known ath-
letes in the country. He is a member
of the New York Athletic Club. and he
has taken many prizes as a result OF his
skill with the weights. He has beaten
John Flanagan, the present worlds
hammer throwing champion. He is thir-
y-three years old and is powerfully built
tie lived with his wife and nine-year-oId
daughter.
Several conflicting stories were told 10
the police regarding the shooting, and
McCrath and his wife both made atii-
davi1s before Magistrate Nash in the
Fnthush Avenue Court when McGrath
was aTraiguod.
McGrath. according TO the police. went
ear
O'Clock he reported sick and left for his
home, arriving about midnight AS soon
as he unlocked the front door he went
upstairs and entered the dining-room.
There he saw a man who was pointing a
revolver at him. Mrs. McGrath was in
the room also.
Thought Visitor Il burglar.
The policeman said that, thinking the
visitor was burglar, he fred al him.
Walker the visitor. returned the shot.
Walker fired once more, and then Nc
Grah opened up with three more, so that
there wouldn't be any further dueling.
The two men struggled, and McGrath
said he drew bis blackjack and struck
Walker on the head. The policeman
called patrol wagon and took him to
the Parkville station.
Walker was conscious and told the lieu
tenant that he had been invited by Mrs.
McGrath 20 call on her. He declared that
he had met her at the home OF her father,
Police Captain Smith. Tonight Capt.
Smith denied il, and said he didn't know
Walker
Lieut. Auterbach charged Walker with
unlawful entry and McGrath with feloni-
Gus assault The policeman made an ad-
diuonal charge Of felohious assault
against Walker.
AT the house where Walker lived with
his family they were unable 10 give any
reason why Walker happened to be in
McGrath's house.
Walker an Unmarried Man.
Walker is not married. He left home
about s O'Clock Saturday evening. His
mother said he wasn't in the habit Of in
forming her where he was going when
leaving home. She said tonight that
she was quite positive her son knew
McGrath. She had heard him speak Of
him frequently. Their homes are not far
distant
II was impossible tonight to locate
Mrs. McGrath. The house was dark and
nobody answered the doorbel.
Friends OF McGrath were much sur
prised TO learn Of the mix-up. Those
who know the young policeman said that
his family life had always seemed happy
and they couldn't understand hcw Walk
or CHANGED 20 be in the house
McGrath in the fall OF 1906 was deco
rated with a gold medal by Police Com
missioner Bingham. The medal was
awarded by Congress and was accom-
panied by "a letter of congratulation
signed by Leslie NJ. Shaw, Secretary Of
the Treasury. 1t was given to McGrath
for rescuing a man from drowning one
bitter cold night in December, 1896. He
made a ffty-fOOt dive to DO it,