The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-08-13

NEW Works. CHIEF EXECUTIVE
WOUNDED, PERHAPS FATALLY.
Would-bo Assassin immediately
Overpowered Threatened by
Crowds-victim May Recover IL
Complications Are Avoided.

Woundeu today as ne stood on the
promenade deck Of the steamship
Kaiser wilhelm Des Crosse by James
J. Gallagher. a discharged and dis
gruntled city empioye.
Gallagher was almost instantly
overpowered and arrested.
The shot was fired at 9:i5 O'Clock
this morning. 10 minutes before the
vessel was due to leave her pier al
Hoboken, N. j.. when the mayor was
receiving farewells from a group OF
friends preparatory to a vacation trip
to Europe.
The bullet struck him behind the
right ear and ranged downward. in
ficting a dangerous. though not nee
essarily fatal wound. Unle 3 blood
poison develops. surgeons are hopeful
for the mayors recovery although at
his age-5s years-such a wound is
essentially grave.
Taken to Hospital.
Tonight the mayor Is at st. Mary's
hospital. Hoboken. surrounded by his
specialists. with members Of his family
gathered near. awaiting the outcome
with anxiety. All early reports from
the hospital were hopeful In tone and
this evening. six x-ray negatives OF
the wound were taken to facilitate an
operation for the removal OF the bull
let.
Gallagher. the would-be assassin, Is
locked In a cell at Jersey City, held
without bail. He expresses no re-
morse.
The big liner was gay with flags and
ringing with shouted good-byes when
the tragedy occurred. Most Of those
who had been aboard the ship to bid
farewell to friends or relatives had
gone ashore but a little group re-
mained to talk with the mayor. They
were standing on the port side of the
vessel. near the promenade deck for
ward and were In the act Of posing for
a group photograph when Gallagher
unnoticed, pushed his way almost 70
the mayors side and fired point blank
at his head.
First Missed Fire.
He used a .3s calibre revolver and
an examination later disclosed that
the first cartridge had raissed fire.
This probably saved the mayors life,
for Gallagher. when he first pulled
the trigger. was less than two rec;
away. Backing away slightly In his
excitement. he pulled the trisse- q
second time and sent bullet crash.
Ing into the mayors neck below the
ear
William III. Edwards, commissioner
of street cleaning. the former Prince
ton football star. struck Gallagher's
arm. IS he did so. a second shot
pierced Edwards sleeve. infiicting a
slight flesh wound on the right arm,
which remained undiscovered for
hours because of the excitement.
Unmlndful OF his wound Edwards
hit the man a blow In the face and
they crashed to the deck together,
Gallagher struggling and pulling
viciously at the trigger.
Overpowers Desperate.
But Edwards was too much for
him. He rained blow after blow In
Gallagher's now bleeding face, while
Robert Adamson. Mayor Gaynor's
secretary. and Archibald r. Watson.
counsel for the city. flung themselves
on the struggling two in attempt to
grasp the weapon. When Mr.. Watson
had obtained possession OF II. Ed
wards and Gallagher continued a Bit
ter struggle about the deck, Edwards
now crying and shouting In his anger
and excitement and Gallagher pant
ing as exhaustion began to grip his
limbs. When completely subdued a
pair OF steel nippers were slipped on
his wrists by a special officer and ne
was rushed through shouting and
threatening crowds off the vessel into
an automobile and arralgned before
Recorder McGovcrn o: Hoboken.
Mayor Not Unconscious.
During the struggle with the man
who had attempted to take his life.
Mayor Gaynor. though badly wounded
and bleeding from the mouth and
nose. did not lose consciousness. The
Impact Of the bullet did not even
throw him from his feet. but ne
raised his hands to his ears and with
his face distorted with pain. he stag
gered In a daze and leaned across the
ships rail until Mr.. Adamson came