New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-04-07
Michael Sullivan Walks Into
Magistrate Marsh'S Court
and Says He Killed
Eugene Smith.
SELF.DEFENCE HIS EXCUSE
Received Word That He Would
Be Shot on Sight by Hencb-
men of Victim, Who
Belonged to Tam
many Club.

hdet desperate ny rear OF iIt ven
geance of gang friends of his victnh,
Michael sullivan chose yesterday to
face a charge of murder, and walked
into the Tombs court about noon and
admitted 10 Magistrate Marsh that lac
killed Eugene Smith at Park Row aid
Roosevelt street early Saturday.
Sullivan's crime might have re-
maincd unsolvcd indefinitely. except Tor
his surrender for apparently there
were no witnesses, SO far as the police
could learn. TO the actual murder ot
smith. James lombard, who was
standing in the vicinity Of Roosevelt
street and Park Row when the murder
happened told the police of hearing a
revolver shot and OF having seen three
men running. He was unable 10 de-
scribe the men.
Word had gone forth that friends #
Eugene Smith. who was known TO the
gangsters Of the Cherry Hill district as
Guy" would get" the man that
killed their friend. Hearing of 1his
sullivan kept clear Of his usual haunt
which were being watched. Word
reached Sullivan that he was marked
man and that ne would be shot
Self. Defence His Excuse
To Magistrate Marsh, who was just
about ready TO leave the courtroom.
Sullivan said: II want to surrender
mycclf. ! was in that shooting affair
AT Park Row and Roosevelt street early
Saturda~ morning" The magistrate
held him for the Coroner.
To Coroner Hellenstein he .said lc
shot and killed Smith in sclf-defence.
He had heard that Smith was go:nS
to do him up on sight. About mid
night on Saturday he said he was
walking on Park Row. when some one
called his attention 10 Smith. lie
turned, he said. I'm time 10 meet the
glance OF Smith. who had his hand n
his -oChct. Fearing he was going 10
pull a gun" sullivan fred. The bullet
penetrated Smiths brain. Smith was
q bartender. but had police record as
q "hold-up' man.
The Coroner advised Sullivan not to
make any statement until he had con-
suited a lawyer. He was rcmanded to
the TUmbs without bail. \ hearing of
the case was set for tomorrow morn
ing. sullivan said ne was twenty
seven years old and lived at No. -
Catherine street He gave his occGpI-
tion rs a sampler on the Cotton Ia
change.
On His Way TO Ball.
Eugene Smith lived at No. 1872
Broadway, Brooklyn. He was killed
while on his way 10 ball at Tammany
Hall He had been drinking in saloons
along Park Row with several of his
former acquaintanccs He had lived I'm
the Cherry Tlill district but short
time ago. and was active in politics IN
the district.
The finger prints of the dead man
were taken after the body was removed
To- the Inorguc. which led 10 the maL.s
criminal record being revealed. Within
the last three years he was arrested
three times on charge of assault and
robbery. He was discharged in the
police courts on two of the charges. and
on the third sentence was suspended BY
Jusfice Seabury. No revolver was
found when the body was searched at
the oak street police station.
sullivan, when seen in his cell was
reticcnt on the shooting and as 10 his
reason for fearing his life when he mot
Smith.
Smith was member Of the Down
town Tammany club. He was well
l<uovn to many Of its members.
Tom" Foley. former Sheriff and cX-