Republican farmer., 1919-08-08
TANNER SMITH REFORMED YEcC
 NOW AVENGED
Killed Because He Wanted To Go Straight His
 Slayer Shot.

New York, Aug. Flying wounded and lowering between life and death today is George Lewis, a chauffeur ot 112 West Nineteenth street, Manhat- tan, who was shot after a desperate pistol battle in the streets Of Hoboken late Thutsday night, in which more than fifteen shots were fired.
 Before he fell. the police say, Lewis shot and killed "Blubber" Shaw. twenty, of the same address. It was an encounter which, detectives say, was due to the death of '"Tanner'' Smith
 "The murder of Kramer Smith which spread with the speed Of lightning in New York's under world today. Whether it has really been avenged or not, whether the real man who "got' Tanner is now dead or not the police have not yet de- termined. One fact stands out-that no less than four shoOtings have taken place, three of them fatal since gangsters who belonged to the Tan ner's'' ring before he reformed split over their former leaders strange re- formation.
 Tanner" himself was shot and killed 'by his best friend" as his sister Mary and his devoted brother Paddy" Smith told the police. This Is only one of the tragedies. few days later they "got'' Johnny Spanish another reformed gang leader, and the police have not yet set hands on his murderer. And now Robert Shaw, whom his pals know as "Blubber,' was killed in a stree: battle in Hoboken, while Lewis is ly- ing near death in St. Mary's Hospital. The police were unable to venture a guess today as to what the outcome of the feud would be. More encount- CTS among gangsters are expected. and although detectives are working on the case, there is practically noth- ing they can do to stop the war now raging in-the lower west side.
 Battle Creates Panic. The pistol battle in Hoboken creat- ed a panic among passersby. Before he could get away from the scene of the fighting bystander, Daniel Leahy, twenty-two, of Jersey City, was shot in the mouth and was taken to a hospital.
 The police picked up two revol- vers, each with five cartridges explod- ed, and found a pistol with three cartridges exploded in the hand of "Blubber'' Shaw.
 At the SiXty-eighth street station yesterday a detective said Shaw in particular had been sought by the po- lice in connection with the killing of Tanner Smith.
 Two theories were held as to the cause of Thursday nights shooting One was that friends of '"Tanner" had gone to Hoboken to wreak vengeance; the other was that the shooting oc- cured among men who were dmpli- cated in the killing of the reformed gang leader, and perhaps feared tha. one or more of their number might "squea1." Detectives were sent to Ho- boken for more detailed information. Lewis was taken under arrest to St. Mary's Hospital, with two bullets in his lungs, and was charged with killing "Blubber" Shaw. Three other men were arrested in connection with killing, Joseph Mcdonnell, twenty one. a teamster; Peter Costello, twen- ty-one, a chauffeur, and James Cos telo, eighteen, Peters brother of Ho- boken They are charged with being disorderly persons.
 When Tanner" Smith was mur- dered last Saturday night in the rooms of the Margina club, at 129 Eighth avenue, while playing cards with a group of friends, it was open lyLdeclared that his death would be avenged in the underworld's own way and that the law would not have time or opportunity to take its course.
 Five Worked Together.
 The battle in Hoboken, the police say, was the carrying out of the threat
 It was 9:45 o'clock when five men
 
 from Washington street, Hoboken, a more brightly lighted thoroughfare. Passersby, who later were questioned by detectives, say they noticed several men scrutinizing every one who pass ed. The five disappeared in the shadows of a warehouse and there waited.
 Ten minutes later Second street echoed with revolver shots. Bullets blew past the ears of persons stand ing in the street, shattering windows dn the vicinity. In an instant the street was emptied of pedestrians. Loud cries of pain were heard from those who were struck. After the first fusilade the firing quiet down, only to spring up again. There were "a few scattered shots, and then po- licemen, rushing from every direc- tion closed on the block where the battle had ragged.
 Just as bluecoatS turned into the street the man, who later proved to be Shaw staggered into the glare of a street lamp on the corner. In his hand he held a smoking revolver. As one of the policemen ran to seize him he fell. He was dead when the po- licemen reached him. Two bullets had pierced his lungs.
 District Attorney Swann today was notified of this latest of gang en- counters and promised immediate de- velopments in the prosecution of the guilty persons in connection with the shooting. u is known that the whole case is complete. and that indictments and important arre1ts arc near.
 Meanwhile folks of the lower West Side, where Tanner" Smith lived and moved-and was murdered, were still talking today of the great last hom- age paid the reformed gang leader, when he was buried with the pomp and ceremony fit for king.