Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1912-12-07
POLICE VICTIM OF
GUNNER IS DYING
Operation Performed on Plain
cIothesman John j. Gaffney,
Shot by Thugs.


-
Eighteen months later he resigned
and Joined the detective forcn of the
Pennsylvania railroad. Six years ago
he rejoined the Newark department
and was detailed to the First pre-
cinct, from which, eight months ago.
he was transferred to headquarters.
His home is at 2S Austin street.
He was investigating last night a
hold-up that had taken place in Mill
tary Park the night before. He had
just had a swim at the Y. M. c. A.
When he met Ryan he asked the
lieutenant to walk owe toward the
tubes with him so that they could
talk about the case. Ryan has such
a remarkable memory for faces and
Is so feared by criminals that his adj
vice on police matters is always
priced.
Saw Suspicious Men.
At the station they noticed three
men whom they Immediately spotted
as suspicious. The trio, although
well dressed, seemed to have the
earmarks of criminals, yet it was
lliipOSSlDlt - ste Ii1Cl ldCCS CACdAiy
enough to attempt to identify them.
With one accord Gaffney and Ryan
followed the men when they left and
started to walk along Mulberry
street.
well follow them to Broad street
and look them over" said Ryan.
But the trio had no intention of
going beneath the flaming arcs Of
Broad street. They halted midway
between Mulberry and Broad in
Lafayette street and started back
toward the detectives. 1t was then
that the shooting began.
General Alarm sent Out.
When it was found that the gun
men had escaped from the freight
yard, a general alarm was sent out
by Chief Corbitt to the police of all
the nearby cities and towns. The
Pennsylvania railroad detective force
was notified and Chief Gray, of the
Central detectives, stationed men at
the Communipaw terminal of that
railroad.
Several suspects were arrested, but
Lieutenant Ryan could not identify
them and they were released.
He described the men today as fol-
lows:
"One of them was tall. He wore a
gray o%vercoat, tan shoes and had red
hair. Another was a medium-built
man, with a smooth face. He wore a
soft felt hat. The third, who fired the
first bullet, was short and stocky.
He probably weighed 100 pounds and
he wore a black overcoat and a dark
moustache.
James w. keenan, Tells Story.
81 was sitting at the table eating
with my wife when we heard the
shots last night. said James w.
keenan,, of 70 Lafayette street. 1t
must have been about half past 9.
heard two shots in rapid succession,
then a brief pause, and then a third
shot. My wife says she heard four.
1T was so quiet when the shots
rang out that the report shook ou1
windows. That's shooting going or
somewhere I said to my wife as ]
jumped up from the table and started
out.
hldb d pdu SpOI uOWh there DA
the freight yard in Lafayette street
and 1 started running down there al
soon as / left the house. There were
several people there before me, bur
l recognized Gaffney as soon as ",
could get him turned over. He haC
been lying on his stomach and moan
ing.
There were many others there By
that time. l said to Gaffney: It's
Salty" talking to you, Gaffney
where are you ,shot?"
They've got me- he said, Tn
dying; get a priest
"They took Gaffney to the hospita
a few minutes later. That fellow II
q prince and has a wonderful consti
tuition. for at the hospital 1 under.
stand he told the doctors to go ahead
and operate if he stood a chance
And he didn't want his wife or chill
dren to know about it. I tell you it,
a shame"
The story told by keenan, at hi
home was corroborated by his wife
who roundly denounced the condi
tions existing at the freight yard
where the assassins turned on Gaff
ney. Keenan, is a roofer, IS years old
and has three children. Asked VIII.
he referred to himself rs SALTY
when he spoke 70 the fallen plain
clothesman, keenan, explained 1
was a nickname which the fremel
call him at No. ! engine house. La
fayette street. across the street iron
his home.
Called for Priest.
Charles Brautigan, Of 81 Hazelwoo
avenue, who reached Gaffney's sid