Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-02-01
HIRED GUNMEN'S
VICTIM, SHOT BY
MISTAKE, DYING
Underworld Secured
for kid Dynamite >
and Big Slim.
YOUTH WHO FIRED SHOTS
is JAILED AND CONFESSES
Says They Were Each Promised
$50 to SIay-Shot
Wrong Man.
rs,.c,., tn the Newark star.I


JERSEY CITY. N. j., Feb. DE
tectives from this city and the New
York police are securing Manhattan
TODAY in an effort to capture two
men. companions of the hired as
sassin who shot and probably fatally
wounded Thomas Conroy, representa-
tive of the Plumbers Union, here
last night.
The gunman who shot Conroy was
captured. and has confessed to the
police that he and the others had
been hired for $50 each to come from
the Bowerv lodging house where they
live and kill a man in this city. Con-
roy. he said, was the wrong man.
Conroy IS at Christ Hospital in
critical condition, with three bullets
in his abdomen. The surgeons there
operated on him early today, but
they fear that he cannot survive.
Prisoner Is But 10.
The captured gunman, who is locked
up at police headquarters awaiting
the result of Conroy's wounds and
the capture of his pals. described
himself as Ernest Welderhaber. 19i
years old
He declined to give the address of
the rooming place where he and his
companions live. He even declares
that he knows them only slightly and
only by the names kid Dynamite
and "Big SLIM
The police are making thorough
search of the lower east side of New
York today questioning those in the
section who know most of its in
habitants in an endeavor to learn II
there really are two tough characters
rejoicing in the picturesque nick
names which WeIderhaber ascribed
TO his companions.
Conroy was shot in Andrew Multi
gan's saloon at Hohoken avenue and
the Five Corners. the Headquarters
OF the Building Trades Council, OF
which he was formerly the business
agent. There had been q meeting Of
the council and the victim of the
shooting was discussing labor af-
fairs with friends at the bar when
the gunner entered.
SIaps Victim on Shoulder.
Conroy was engaged in a spirited
conversation with the other labor
men. and was emphasizing a point
by striking the palm of his hand with
his clenched fist when Welderhaber,
according to witnesses slapped him
on the shoulder. glared at him and
said:
you're liar!'
Conroy paid no attention to the
Information
you're liar!" shouted the other
again.
The labor leader. in perfect good
hiimor, believing the other was ex-
cited by drink, started to demonstrate
with him.
Welderha ber's companions were
close behind him. watching him and
Conroy closely. Then, 1t is said, one
of them pushed the Bowery youth
suddenly, and as he collided with
Conroy, Welderbaber drew a maga-
zine pistol, pressed 1t to Conroy's alb
domen and fired three shots.
Conroy Sinks to Floor.
Conroy threw up his arms and sank
TO the floor His friends, with start
led cries. rushed at Welderhaber.
The latter eoolly raised his still
smoking pistol, pointed it at them
and sneeringly ordereds them to fall
back. They obeyed. Then under
cover of his own and his friends
guns the assassin started to back to
the door.
Suddenly, big Slim" and kid
Dynamite broke and ran. They had
seen two policemen who heard the
shots from the saloon, running along
the street
Both of them got away, but the
police captured Welderhaber. He Of
fered little resistance to the blue
coats and was soon overpowered.
When he first arrived at police
headquarters Welderhaber was surly
and would say nothing. Later, how
ever, the police say. he confessed he
had come to this city with the inten-
ton of killing man, who had been
described to him as being about five
feet eight inches tall, wearing light
overcoat and glasses. The reason
this mans life was wanted, Welder-
haber said, he did not know. big
Slim" and Dynamite Kid he added,
had hired him to do the shooting.
Conroy is 40 years old, and lives
with his wife and children in Court
House place. He has been uncon-
scious since coming to the hospital.
The police have been unable to learn
from their prisoner what led him and
his companions to believe they would
find their intended victim in Multi
gan's saloon.