TWO MEN SHOT BY JIM DWYER

November 8, 1905

As the result of a quarrel over politics in which a stranger was brought to participate, J.R. Murdock, a brother-in-law of Alderman Joseph Grant, is at the latter’s home, 801 Wyoming street, with a bullet wound in his left thigh and James Dwyer, corporation court clerk, is under arrest charged with assault to murder.

Charles White, a witness to the shooting, has a bullet wound in one of his feet, which was made by a stray shot from Dwyer’s gun.

The shooting occurred in the Coney Island saloon at about 12:15 o’clock last night and was witnessed by ten or twelve men.

Dwyer has a severe cut over his right eye, which he says was made by a pair of knucks or some weapon and he says he shot in self defense. Two policemen, Officers Scott and Mulhern, were with him when he entered the saloon a second time and did the shooting.

According to eye witnesses to the affair, the fight started after a discussion as to the campaign for sheriff, when it is alleged that Murdock, upon being introduced to Dwyer by Alderman Grant, refused to shake hands with him.

Alderman Grant, Henry Kelley, Tom Powers, Dwyer, Ralph Hunt and others were standing at the bar drinking when the affair started. Upon being introduced to Dwyer, Murdock is said to have withdrawn his hand, saying that he could not shake hands with such a man.

At this Dwyer took offense, it is said, an asked him (Murdock) if he had insulted him.

Murdock is said to have replied that he could not insult him, and upon being pressed for a reason said that because it was not in him to insult a man.

At this time Murdock, who is from New York, observed that Dwyer had a gun and asked him what he carried it for.

Dwyer replied by showing his star and said that he carried it for protection, and that no one but Mayor Davis could get him to give it up.

Dwyer Claims That Murdock struck First Blow

Murdock somewhat questioned this sentiment when Dwyer laid his overcoat on the bar and the men mixed. Who struck the first blow is not known, but Dwyer says he was hit first. Dwyer suddenly drew his gun but it was knocked from his hand by Ralph Hunt and the men fought across the floor in a fist fight, Murdock getting the better of it, it is said. Dwyer finally ran out of the front door and disappeared.

In about ten minutes he returned with Police Officers Mulhern and Scott accompanying him. As he entered the door he pointed out Murdock, saying, “There is the man who hit me.” Witnesses say that at the same time he drew a gun and said to Murdock “Now hit me.”

Murdock rushed at him, striking the revolver with his hand, and the first shot struck Charles White, a bystander, in the foot. As the revolver was raised for the second fire the bullet caught Murdock in the left thigh, plowing downward.

Dwyer was then placed under arrest by the two officers who accompanied him to the saloon, and he was taken to the police station.

When seen at the police station Dwyer made the following statement:

“I was in the Coney Island taking a few drinks with Tom Powers, Joe Grant, Henry Kelly and others, and the question came up as to the next sheriff’s race. I told Henry Kelly, the county treasurer, that anyway that Mayor Davis stood politically I would stand by his endorsement, regardless of Jenkins or Chief Hall, as he had been my friend. We had a few drinks and I retired to a toilet room for a few minutes.

“When I returned Grant called me and asked me how I stood. I told him I was with Davis. Then he said he wanted me to meet his friend, who wished to talk with me.

“This man, whom I did not know then said to me, ‘You are an enemy of Mr. Grant’s.’ Then he hit me. I reached for my gun, believing my life was in danger, but some one knowing I was an officer, had taken it from me. I believe there was a frame-up to murder me. Then the man assaulted me and I left the saloon.”

Dwyer says he then went to the Pullman saloon and telephoned the police and also went into the Parlor saloon and borrowed a gun.

When the police arrived he told them he had been assaulted, and took them to the Coney Island, saying he would point out the man.

“When I entered the Coney Island I pointed out the man to Scott,” said Dwyer, “and without any provocation this man made a desperate rush at me and hit me with knucks or some other weapon, and believing my life was in danger, I fired.”

Alderman Grant denied last night that they had been discussing politics and said that the trouble came up because Dwyer became offended at something Murdock said. He said that when Dwyer came in the saloon that last time he reached for his gun on entering the door.

Murdock is a brother-in-law of the Alderman, having married the latter’s sister, and with his wife he has been visiting at Grant’s home. He is said to be a solicitor for an Eastern railroad.

Dr. W.H. Anderson was called to attend Murdock in a back room of the saloon, but after failing to extract the bullet, he had him sent home. An operation will be performed to extract the bullet today. The injury is pronounced not serious. Although Murdock was the name of the man given by Alderman Grant, it was said at the saloon that his name was understood as either Joseph Murphy or Murrine.

Justice of the peace Marshall was awakened last night after the shooting, and upon complaint being made before him, fixed the bond at $1,000, which Dwyer furnished, and he was given his liberty.