New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-09-29
Sergeant and PatroIman Injured
When Young Italians Battle
with Them on Crowded
Elevated Train.
ONE ASSAILANT CAPTURED
Bluecoats Off Duty Take Hand
When Rowdies Try to Fllrt
with Young Women
His Belt Saves One
from Death.

lbdllllliS htof'if'''f
ians who insulted two girls on sou'h- -
bound Second avenue elevated uaih
last night. Sergeant Joseph McNierney
OF the East 51st street police station
and Patrolman William J. Deneen. OF
the Union Market station. were stabbed
bv the enraged foreigners.
McNierney was taken 10 Bellevue
Hospital in a serious condition, while
Dcneen. who was saved from serious
injury by a heavy belt ne wore. was
able to go home after his wounds were
treated
McNierney was operated upon at 10
O'Clock 10y Or. Smith. visiting surgeon
al Bellevue II was found the large IN
testine was punctured in two places.
The abdominal wall also was pene-
irated. McNierney was conscious up TO
the time he went under the an@sthetic.
one of the assaiiants Of the police
men made his escape, running through
the length of the train and then dash
fng 10 the street down the steps OF the
18th street elevated station. The other
man was arrested only after a half
dozen policemen overpowered him. lie
was locked up N charges Of disorderly
conduct and felonious assault
Believes He Is "Gunman."
The prisoner. who gave his name as
Frank Gordoni. Of 25th street and Sew
erth avenue. said ne was shoemaker
but the police believe ne is "gunman
and they will make an effort to connect
him with some OF the hold-ups which
have occurred recently on the East
Side
McNierney and Deneen were of duty
and in citizens clothes when they got
on the train al the 57th street station.
They had been seated only Few MIN
utes when they saw the two Italians
trying 10 sirt with two young girls next
TO them. The men were hashily dressed
and attracted the attention OF other
passengers In the car by their loud talk
and the profane language they used.
The girls ignored the Italians and
moved away. only 10 be followed by tie
men, whose actions grow more insult
ing. Finally McNierney motioned TO
the girls 10 come over 10 where he and
Deneen were sitting. al the same time
giving up his seat and whispering that
they were policemen.
McNierney tried 10 avoid trouble and
did not wish TO make an arrest, as he
and Dencen were on their way 10
theatre party. The girls. thankful FOR
the protection Of the policemen. crossed
the aisle and sat down, while Nc
Nierney and Deneen stood in front OF
them.
The Italians became greatly enraged
at this move and they began TO abuse
the policemen. AS the train was near
ing 21st street the men came TO blows.
McNierncy and Deneen showed their
shields and started 10 place the Jtal-
ians under arrest. They were gaining
the upper hand when the Italians drew
stilettos and slashed at the policemen.
Women In the car began TO scream
and huddled 10 the far end OF the car
while the men passeng IS added their
shouts 10 those OF the struggling com
batants. The motvrman blew an emer-
gency call for help which attracted the
attention OF other policemen in the
street, who rushed fer the lS.h street
station of the elevated road
Draws His StIetto.
While the fight between McNierney
and Deneen and the Italians was at its
height one of the Italians drew his
stiletto and plunged ii into McNierney's
abdomen. below the belt. The knife
made a deep and vicious wound and
the sergeant sank TO the floor. saying
TO Deneen: They've got me, Billy"
The patrolman. seeing the Italian
was about TO dash from the car, leaped
at him and bore him to the floor. The
next moment the man had stabbed
twice at Deneen, the blade being
turned partly aside by the heavy belt
around Deneens waist and oniy in
dieting a painful flesh wound. The
patrolman continued TO struggle with
his assailant and tried to club him into
with his billy. but the man
slashed his right hand, forcing him 10
drop the club.
With McNierney unconscious on the
floor and Deneen weak from loss OF
blood. the Italians turned 10 escape.
BY this time the train had drawn into
the 18th street station, and as the men
with the stiettos made dash for
the platform they were confronted by
patrolmen Ruehl and Cullen and De-
lective Schmidt, OF the East I'D street
station. who had responded to the mo-
lormans alarm.
,;ordoni tried TO dash past the po-
Iicc but was overpowered after a hard !
Heht. The other man dashed through
the train TO the last car and escaped |
while the police were battling with
Gordoni.
SHOT DEAD BY HIS BROTHER. |
tp,. T.ta0ranh 10 The Tribune