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

veto on this move. Commissioner Ed
wards declared that he and hundred
others could make all the identification
that was necessary and the mayors ply
sicians declared that the patient was In
no condition to undergo such an ordeal
Gallagher was taken back to the po-
lice station and later was brought be-
fore Recorder McGovern, where he was
formally arraigned. The recorder warn
ed him that any statement he might
make would be used against him. Gala
CHER shifted uneasily and said: Il hardly
know what to say, as l have no counsel"
"In that case" said Recorder Meow
ern, Il will hold you without bail to
await the action of the grand jury and
the outcome of Mayor Gaynor's injuries.
Gallagher was again locked up but not
before he had been repeatedly photo
graphed by a large company OF camera
men who had crowded the courtroom. He
seemed rather pleased by the attention
he was attracting and in getting ready to
pose before the cameras Strengthened his
collar and necktie and stood erect and
complacent while the light was flashed.
when the mayor was shot," said
Commissioner Thompson. he placed
his hand over the wound and said:
Isn't this pity Then he calmly
asked to be taken to his stateroOm."
Mayor William J. Gaynor. who is 81
years old. began life as Brooklyn
newspaper reporter studying law at
night while working days. He enter
ed politics as a Democrat and was first
appointed an assistant and then elect
;-%r i1k Of sx,rrc ~
At that time John Y. McKane. the
political boss, ruled Coney Island and
Gravesend as an Independent realm,
reaping a large fortune from his cor
rupt political practices.
Mayor Gaynor padded McKane's
farcial election machinery and sent
McKane to prison for the rest of his
life.
A few years later Gaynor was elected
to the supreme court bench and there
he served until his appointment to the
appellate division of the supreme court,
second district, which place he resign
ed after his nomination for mayor last
year. ..
He started a reform administration
by discharging hundreds. perhaps a
thousand of city employees, of whom he
said nearly all held sinecures through
aiTiliation with Tanmany Hall.
Although Tamrnany Hall worked for
his election only one of his important
appointments, that of a deputy COM
missioner went to Tammany Hall.
Detective Sergeant A. B. Closter ar
rived at the house, 444 Third avenue
at about a quarter before II and ac-
companied by Mrs. Sophie Johnson,
Gallaghers landlady went at once to
Gallaghers room. The room, which is
a small one on the third floor. was
much Uttered UP. A number of medi-
cine bottles were in evidence and ii
was clear that Gallagher had spent
much of his time recently in reading
the newspapers.
1t was said in the neighborhood that
Gallagher had been drinking good
deal of late and rumor had it that he
had lost $500 on the JeffriesJ Johnson
fight
Inspector Russell is to take charge
of the case against Gallagher
James j. Gallagher was appointed
Waterman in the New York City dock
department April.7, 1903. He was dis
charged July 10, 1910 after having been
found guilty of neglect of duty and
misconduct. Among his other trans
gressions was the fact that he failed
to punch the dial on the time clock
that recorded his presence He was
also charged with using insulting Ian
guage to an inspector. Since his dis
charge Gallagher has been writing let
tiers to the mayor.
In Gallaghers possession was found a
letter which doubtless was the incentive
for the shooting. 1t is dated Aug. at
the mayors office and is addressed to
Gallagher at his Third avenue residence.
1t reads:
Dear Sir: The mayor has instructed
me to acknowledge the receipt of your
letter of the first instant and to state
that he can do nothing for you in the
matter in which you write
The letter is signed by Secretary Rob
ert Adamson.
The prisoner, Gallagher. was trans
ferred this afternoon from the Hoboken
police station to the Hudson county JAIL
on Jersey City Heights. The crowd
which was gathered about the courthouse
door made a mild vocal demonstration
against Gallagher as he was passed from
the patrol wagon into the jail. The pris
oner looked up quickly as if slightly
startled and then walked stolidly on into
the building. His pedigree was taken and
he was escorted to cell in the Jail ward
where it is customary to confine prisoners
accused of capital or other serious
crimes.
Gallagher made the following signed
confession of his act to Robert W. Bell.
acting chief of police of Hoboken:
II came over to Hoboken at go this
morning. 1 went to the steamship pier
and 1 went on board the steamship Kali
ser Wilhelm Der Crosse. I met a clergy
man on board the steamer and l asked
him to point out Mayor Gaynor to me.
He did so and shortly after l fired
a shot at the mayor. I do not know if
fired more than one shot or not.
Knowing that Mayor Gaynor was
going to Europe this morning to enjoy
himself after depriving me OF my bread
and butter, not porterhouse steak
was irritated to the point of commit
ting the act.
THE revolver you show me is the
revolver that I done the shooting at
the mayor with. l don't know how
many shots were in the revolver when
used it. l have had this revolver a
long time in my possession. l carried