Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-08-10

New York, Aug. 9.-William j. Gay
nor. mayor of New York City. was
shot in the head and seriously wound
ed today as he stood on the promenade
deck of the steamship Kaiser Wilhelm
Der Crosse. by James j. Gallagher.
discharged and disgruntled city en-
ploye. Gallagher was almost instant
ly overpowered and arrested.
The shot was fired at 945 o'clock this
morning, Is minutes before the Kaiser
Wilhelm Der Crosse was due to leave
her pier at Hoboken, n. j.. and the
mayor was receiving good speed from
a group of friends preparatory to
vacation trip to Europe. The bullet
struck him behind the right ear and
ranged downward, inflicting dan
gerous though not necessarily fatal
wound. Unless bloodpoisoning develops.
surgeons are hopeful of the mayors re-
covery, although at his age-59 years
such a wound is essentially grave.
Tonight, the mayor is at st. Mary's
hospital, Hoboken. surrounded by
specialists with members of his fam
ily gathered near. awaiting the out
come with anxiety. All early reports
from the hospital We're hopeful in tone
and this evening six X-ray negatives
of the wound were taken to facilitate
an operation for the removal Of the
bullet.
GALLAGHER, the would-be assassin is
locked in a cell at Jersey City. held
without hail. He expresses no remorse-
The big liner was gay with flags and
ringing with shouted good byes when
the ragedy occurred. Most of those
who had been aboard the ship to say
farewell to friends or relatives, had
gone ashore, but little group re
manned to talk with the mayor. They
were standing on the port side of tie
vessel near the promenade deck tor
ward and were in the act of posing for
q group photograph, when Gallagher.
unnoticed, pushed his way almost to
the MAYORS side and fired point blank
at his head.
He used 3S-calibre revolver and an eX-
animation later disclosed the fact that
the first cartridge had missed fire. This
probably saved the mayors life. for Gal
Iagher when he first pulled the trigger
was less than two feet away. Backing
away slightly in his excitement he pulled
the trigger second time and sent a bull
the ear.
William II. Edwards. commissioner Of
street cleaning and the former Princeton
football star. lunged forward with his 300
pounds just as Robert Adamson. ths
mayors secretary, struck Gallagher 5
arm. AS he did so a second shot pierced
Edwards sleeve. infiictng slight flesh
wound on the commissioners right arm.
which remained undiscovered for hours.
because of the excitement
Unmindful of his wound. Edwards hit
the man a crushing blow in the face and
they fell to the deck together. Gallagher
struggling with the strength of despera-
ton and pulling vigorously at the trigger
in an attempt to fire another shot.
But Edwards was too much for him
| He rained blow after blow in Gallagher s
| now bleeding face. while Adamson and
| Archibald r. Watson, corporation coun-
| sci for the city. flung themselves on the
| struggling two in an attempt to grasp the
| weapon. When Mr.. Watson had obtained
possession of it. Edwards and Gallagher
continued bitter struggle about the
deck Edwards now crying and shouting
in his anger and excitement, and Gala
CHER painting as exhaustion began to griI
| his limbs.
When completely subdued in the former
| football stars vice-lke grip, a pair OF
steel nippers were slipped on his wrists
| by special officer aboard the ship and
he was rushed through A hooting and
threatening crowd off the vessel into ar
| automobile and arraigned before Record
| er McGovern of Hoboken