The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-10


She was almost overcome when she ar
rived at st. Mary's hospital and was
permitted to see her husband for but a
moment. She was Joined there shortly
by Mrs. Ethel Vingut, daughter, re-
Gently married and they began their
vigil near the bedside.
Thought Wound Fatal
Rarely has a wounded man evinced more
fortitude and cheerfulness than did Will
liam ]. Gaynor today. He evidently
thought as he was being carried down
the companionway from the ship on a
stretcher that his wound was fatal. He
smiled family and afterward said to
those near him: Tell the people good
bye
To his wife and his son Rufus he said
at the hospital later: 1T is strange, very
strange. l wonder why he did it?
At no time did Mr. Gaynor express re-
sentiment toward the man who would have
killed him. That he looked calmly on the
ever-present prospect of assassination is
indicated in the tone of recent letter
to a sitizen who had warned him of the
danger of going in the subway without
an escort. To the solicitous friend, said
to be Charles Weinblatt a lawyer, he
wrote on March % last:
My Dear Weinblatt: I thank you very
fnucfl lOr your lelleT, Dul L UdNt 1O Iedl
about going out alone. I do not think
anyone would do me any harm unless
he was a lunatic and it is hard to guard
against lunatics."
Gallagher, judging by appearances and
actions, is not a lunatic. His mind is ap-
parently as sound as any man of 50-odd
years. He has nurtured in his heart, 1t is
declared a hatred for Mayor Gaynor
ever since he was discharged as night
watchman in the department of docks and
ferries in July last for incompetency.
Since then Gallagher has repeatedly
written to the mayor anonymously and
otherwise harping on the subject that he
has been discharged and asking for re-
dress. He has even written to the gov
ernor, lie became known tonight. He
went on board the steamer today with
the avowed intention of numbering the
man whom he charges with having robbed
him of his bread and butter.
GaIIagher's Claim
You took the bread and butter out OF
my mouth said he as he approached
the mayor.
Gallagher then levelled the revolver
and fired. The struggle about the deck
ensued almost instantly As he grappled
with the man Commissioner Edwards was
heard to shout. I've got him; I've got
him. AS he pinioned Gallagher to the
floor he beseeched those around him to
bring pair of .handcuffs.
Hes my prisoner the man walled,
"and | can hold him. but get some hand
cuffs
1t was then noted that Henry Gehring,
a special officer Of the North German
Lloyd line, was nearing, and he was
asked for his nippers. Gallagher was
soon handcuffed with the steel bracelets.
There was no panic on board during the
disorder. Many tried to belabor the pros
trate Gallagher and the excitement Of
course vas intense. The ships officers
used severe measures of discipline at once
and effectnaly shielded the mayor in his
stateroom from the crowd of anxious pas
sengers to know his condition.
President raIontt's Statement
President Montt of Chile, en- route to
Europe after his visit to this country,
was spectator of the tragedy and its en-
suing scenes. He had been talking with
the mayor just before the shooting oc-
cured
Il saw tie whole thing" President
Montt said. 1.-THE man was hanging
around for several minutes. noticed that
he carried one hand under his coat tail
as If in the neighborhood OF his revol-
yer pocket 1t was not suspicious In
itself. and l paid no particular attention
to the fellow. He did not seem to show
any signs of excitement. The mayog
had just introduced me to friend OF
his from his own home In Brooklyn who
was going with him and asked me If
minded posing for another group photo
graph for the benefit of newspaper man
who had arrived late When l heard Gal
lagher yell out something and saw the
flash of his weapon, and then the shoot
ing and struggle I felt uneasy"
Statement of Edwards
Commissioner Edwards said:
1T was standing with Corporation
Counsel Watson. Dr. Lcderle, the health
commissioner; Commissioner Th ompson
of the water. department and Mr.. Ad-
amson, the mayors secretary, on the
forward desk when the assassin ap-
preached.
1--WE were, wishing the mayor bon
voyage AS we chatted I heard shot
directly back of us. 1t was immediate
iy followed by another We turned
around and saw the man with revol-
yer smoking In his right hand and not
three feet away He had the revolver
almost against the back of the mayor
!, (CONTINUED ON PAGE 1l.l