Policeman James Young
Philadelphia Police Department
Pennsylvania
End of Watch: Wednesday, October 14, 1868
Biographical Info
Age: 38
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Tuesday, October 13, 1868
Weapon Used: Handgun; Revolver
Suspect Info: Edward Young and George Wallington
Policeman James Young was shot and killed while attempting to make an arrest during a disturbance at a polling place at Eighth Street and Lombard Street.
Several men were fighting over the election and Policeman Young was shot several times as he attempted to arrest one of the men. He succumbed to his wounds the following day.
Policeman Young was survived by his expectant wife and six children.
Public Ledger, October 20, 1868, pg 1:
THE KILLING OF POLICEMAN YOUNG - INVESTIGATION BY THE CORONER
- The Corner commenced an investigation yesterday in the case of Policeman James Young, who died from the effect of shot wounds received at Eighth and Lombard streets, on Tuesday evening, last, the night of the election. The following, among other witnesses, were examined:
Henry Horn testified as follows: A few minutes before six o'clock on election evening, I went down Lombard street toward Eighth street; I got just above Eighth street some one said, "what is the matter?" I replied, "nothing;" I turned and looked up Lombard street, and saw the crowd in front of the police dispersing; I then ran up to see what was the matter; I was knocked down as soon as I got to the crowd; I think the man had a navy revolver in his hand when he knocked me down; in the act of getting up I saw Officer Young making an arrest in the street, and Officer Parker went to his assistance; at that time the shooting commenced, I retreated toward Eighth street, It was two or three minutes until I got to the corner; the shooting was generally all over the street; when I got to Maher's tavern, Eighth and Lombard streets, Officer Young came in and said he was shot; he had no hat, and asked for one; the hat was given to him by the bartender; he then went into the street and commenced fighting with the mob; he began exchanging shots with a man standing in the street; I passed across to the other corner; a man was standing on the corner of Eighth street; he deliberatley took out a pistol and fired at officer Young; I think the man who fired was Edward Young; I was about ten feet from him; I didn't see him fall; I saw his back; and from his general appearance I took it to be Young; I don't know what became of him; saw several shooting but don't know who the parties were; couldn't recognize the man who was in the street exchanging shots with officer Young; when the man Young fired I looked particularly at him; didn't see him before.
Dr. E. B. Shapleigh testified to making the post mortem examination; there was a gunshot wound of upper lip; the ball passed through the lip; struck the teeth, deflected and passed outward through the lip; there was a tear on the nose, and the right eye was blackened, and there was a gunshot wound on the back, three inches to the left of the spinal column; the ball passed beneath the eleventh rib, through the spleen and diaphragm, through the upper part of the stomach, through the left lung, and was found in the cavity of the left p enia. The deceased came to his death from hemorrhage, caused by the wound I have described.
Patrick Maher, Inspector of the First Division, Seventh Ward, testified as to the row at the polls; saw two men named Ned Young and Geo. Wallington, beating his (witness) brother, and both fired at him while he was down; knew nothing of the shooting of Officer Young.
Officer Marshal Packer testified as follows:
- I was standing at Eighth and Lombard streets with Officer Young; saw a crowd from the polls rush back; we ran up to ascertain what was the matter; I was a little in advance; Young caught hold of a man, and I turned around to catch a man; another man slipped up from the street and struck Officer Young on the back of the head with a black-jack; I went to put my hand in my pocket; and four men, with revolvers in their hands, surrounded me, saying, "You do, you -----;" during this time, the man Officer Young had and the man who slipped up the street were engaged together; seeing no one but myself, I went back, to save my life, two loads were then fired at me; this was the first firing; I went along Eighth street to Pine, up Pine to Twelfth, to inform officers at that post to come to our relief; they came, and the mob was gone; was then told that Young had been shot; didn't know the man who presented a pistol at me; Young couldn't get away, because two men had hold of him; If I had drawn my pistol, I would have been shot dead on the spot.
George Galler testified that he was a man at the side door of the Robert Morris Hose House fire down Lombard street [NW cor. 9th & Lombard], but could not recognize him; did not see Officer Young shot.
Edward Knauff testified - Was at the poll window at the time the first blow was struck; John Shormer was struck and knocked in the street; the next I saw was Maher lying in the street; some person came out of the Morris Hose or the cigar store and fired the first shot; I ran across the street and stood behind a tree; heard seven shots at the corner; didn't see who shot or who was shot.
Charles McCall, testified - Was standing at the corner; looked over and saw the man fire the first shot; it was the same man I recognized yesterday at the prison; it was Jack Gallagher; he ran across the street behind a car; didn't see him do anything more; I got to a car and got out of the way; he fired down Eighth street towards Lombard; he was standing at the southwest corner; there were ten or twelve shots fired.
Policeman Wm. J. Orr testified - Had a conversation with Officer James Young; he told me he was a dying man; he said Dr. Gilbert had been the cause of all this; he brought all this trouble on me; he fetched those parties who shot me; I asked him what parties, and he said that crowd who came there about five minutes before six o'clock; he said they were brought by Dr. Gilbert and the man who was in company of him. He said that they were a crowd of Moyamensing Hose [8th below South] follows: he knew some of them by sight; he said further that they shot at him just because he was a police officer.
The case was then postponed until to-morrow morning.
Philadelphia Inquirer, October 22, 1868, page 2:
THE MURDER OF POLICEMAN YOUNG - THE CORONOR'S INVESTIGATION - Yesterday morning the inquest in the case of Policeman James Young, who was shot on election day at Eighth and Lombard streets, from the effects of which he died, was resumed by Coroner Daniels. The following testimony was elicited: -
Dr. W. K. Gilbert, residing S E corner Ninth and Pine streets, testified On the evening of election day I saw on my slate a direction to visit a child of Ald Devitt; on the way I met Mr. McGarr, whom I had seen for some time;I was anxious to see him in relation to some portraits which I was to receive from Mr. John M. Bailer; I asked him to walk along with me to the Alderman's,; on our way along Lombard street, nearly opposite Maher's hotel, I saw Michael Maher and several persons talking; I asked Mr. Maher what he had been fussing about in the morning; he said he was as good as any other man, or something to that effect; I discovered that he and Mr. McGarr were not very good friends; I saw that the parties were getting excited, and McGarr and I started off together; in going down Eighth street I left McGarr on Eighth street, below Shippen, opposite the Eighth Precinct House of Fourth Ward; I prescribed for the sick child and returned up Eighth street immediately; I found McGarr in pretty much the same place where I left him; I asked him to go up and hear the election news; he declined until I told him that he didn't want to hear the news, being Republican; then he said he would go up; we then walked up to Eighth and Lombard; this was about six o'clock; I asked him to go into Mr. Maher's and take a drink; he declined; we went in; and in about half a minute I heard a noise of firing in the direction of Ninth street; I went to the door and saw a pistol flash; I got frightened; the bartender and I got back of the bar; immediately afterwards an officer came in wounded; I didn't know him; he staggered, and I got hold of him; he said, "Gentlemen, you better go up stairs," he was bleeding about the face, and I told him he had better remain and let me dress his head; we took his advice about going upstairs; he came up a step or two and then went back; he took out a pistol and looked at it; then he went to the door and shooting commenced again; the firing ceased; I went across to Fagen's grocery store to quiet some young ladies; I asked some men whether anybody was hurt, and they said the firing seemed to be in the air; I walked along Eighth street to my home; didn't see the man after he was shot; the time I was gone from Eighth and Lombard streets until I returned was about ten minutes; I had no difficulty with anybody except the conversation with Mr. Maher; I have been attending his family for years, and have been in the habit of joking with him; I discovered from some remarks that McGarr and Maher had some difficulty; I never had a difficulty with a police officer; I don't know Policeman Young by name.
John A. Shermer, residing at N.E. corner Eighth and Tenth streets, testified - On election day I was at the window electioneering; about five o'clock a mob collected at Eighth and Lombard streets; I remarked to a friend that we better see what the difficulty was; some one came up and said that Michael Maher and Dr. S. Gilbert were wrangling about a voter; immediately after that I saw that the mob had dispersed; Maher went towards the window and Dr. Gilbert walked away; I took no further notice and turned my attention to the window-book which I had in my hand; some fifteen or twenty minutes elapsed and I felt some one pushing me from behind; I turned to see who was pushing, as no one was voting at the time, and in turning, my eye crossed several strange men, I also found it was Michael Maher behind me; from his movement I should suppose him to be frightened; at that moment someone said, "Mike, what's the matter?" Immediately someone said: - "Go in, you ---; four or five men then attached Maher; they jumped up on the platform; a man by the name of Young, who appeared to be the leader, jumped on the platform at me with a pistol in his hand said: - "You ----," and hit me with the pistol; we grappled, but he jerked away; I then discovered a mob in the street; they appeared to be beating one man who was among them; I moved toward the mob, and i saw Young strike Dauphin Matthews with the same pistol; Mr. Matthews fell with his head in the gutter and his body on the pavement; I then head a pistol shot; and Mr. Matthews and myself went into the house together; I then heard Patrick Maher say, "Is there any one here who will go and help me to drag in the body of my brother?" Matthews replied, "I will;" the two went to the street and picked up Mr. Maher and brought him in; he was taken to the yard, where I washed his head and examined the wounds; heard, I should judge, ten or fifteen shots fire; directly after the firing commenced some one said, "Younger (the name the officer is known by) was shot," didn't see Dr. Gilbert there after he left the first time; heard of his being in Mr. Maher's tavern, but not participating in the row.
James Moss, residing at the N. E. corner Tenth and South streets, testified - Was at the election polls, minutes before the closing was standing fifteen feet west of window; saw a fuss at the window; there was a rush towards the door; I stepped towards the middle of the street; a shot had been fired, and most of the people began to run; a man was being beaten by the others; I went opposite to Mr. Matthews' house; the man who was knocked down was carried away; the firing was renewed towards Eighth and Lombard streets; saw Officer Young coming up the street bleeding; he said he was shot in tow or three places, and two men took him along Eighth street; immediately afterwards the polls were closed; can't tell who was beating the man; I saw a man known as Young in the vicinity; there was a pistol in his hand; this was before the beating; didn't see a pistol in the hands of anybody else.
James McSorley, residing at No. 504 S. Ninth street, testified - About the time the polls closeda fight occurred; there was some shooting; saw some police officers shot; it was dark, and I couldn't see anybody else fire; I think I saw Edward Young; did not see him in the fight, didn't see him strike anybody with a pistol; think him and Maher got into the fight first; don't know who shot the policeman.
Paul L. Desgranges, No. 530 S. Ninth street, testified - Was at the polls, a rush occurred; it lasted about one minute; I left and went into Mr. Matthews; and stayed until the fuss was over; I knew nothing about the shooting.
John McGern, residing No. 1200 S. Seventh street, corroborated the evidence of Dr. Gilbert; didn't see anybody there that I knew; I know Edward Young; didn't see him there; didn't hear Dr. Gilbert make any threats.
The Coroner's jury returned a verdict that the said James Young came to his death from a gun-shot wound received at the hands of Edward Young and George Wallington, on the evening of October 13, 1868, at Eighth and Lombard streets.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Philadelphia City Council passed a resolution appropriating one thousand dollars to the family of Officer Young (Philadelphia Inquirer, October 23, 1868, page 2).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Officer Young was interred in Mount Moriah cemetery on October 16, 1868. Here is his family buried with him:
YOUNG James 1868 OCT 16 44 70 9th P. Church Ground
YOUNG Mary 1911 SEP 11 44 70
YOUNG Mcc. Jas. 1925 MAY 12 44 70
Sources:
1. Philadelphia Public Ledger
2. Philadelphia Inquirer
3. History of Philadelphia 1609 - 1884, Vol. 3 (Scharf and Westcott), page 1912. Morris and Moyamensing Hose House locations.
3. The Officer Down Memorial Page, Inc. http://www.odmp.org/officer/19528-policeman-james-young
4. Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Mount Moriah Cemetery Records 1856-1978. Online .
Philadelphia Police Department
Pennsylvania
End of Watch: Wednesday, October 14, 1868
Biographical Info
Age: 38
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Tuesday, October 13, 1868
Weapon Used: Handgun; Revolver
Suspect Info: Edward Young and George Wallington
Policeman James Young was shot and killed while attempting to make an arrest during a disturbance at a polling place at Eighth Street and Lombard Street.
Several men were fighting over the election and Policeman Young was shot several times as he attempted to arrest one of the men. He succumbed to his wounds the following day.
Policeman Young was survived by his expectant wife and six children.
Public Ledger, October 20, 1868, pg 1:
THE KILLING OF POLICEMAN YOUNG - INVESTIGATION BY THE CORONER
- The Corner commenced an investigation yesterday in the case of Policeman James Young, who died from the effect of shot wounds received at Eighth and Lombard streets, on Tuesday evening, last, the night of the election. The following, among other witnesses, were examined:
Henry Horn testified as follows: A few minutes before six o'clock on election evening, I went down Lombard street toward Eighth street; I got just above Eighth street some one said, "what is the matter?" I replied, "nothing;" I turned and looked up Lombard street, and saw the crowd in front of the police dispersing; I then ran up to see what was the matter; I was knocked down as soon as I got to the crowd; I think the man had a navy revolver in his hand when he knocked me down; in the act of getting up I saw Officer Young making an arrest in the street, and Officer Parker went to his assistance; at that time the shooting commenced, I retreated toward Eighth street, It was two or three minutes until I got to the corner; the shooting was generally all over the street; when I got to Maher's tavern, Eighth and Lombard streets, Officer Young came in and said he was shot; he had no hat, and asked for one; the hat was given to him by the bartender; he then went into the street and commenced fighting with the mob; he began exchanging shots with a man standing in the street; I passed across to the other corner; a man was standing on the corner of Eighth street; he deliberatley took out a pistol and fired at officer Young; I think the man who fired was Edward Young; I was about ten feet from him; I didn't see him fall; I saw his back; and from his general appearance I took it to be Young; I don't know what became of him; saw several shooting but don't know who the parties were; couldn't recognize the man who was in the street exchanging shots with officer Young; when the man Young fired I looked particularly at him; didn't see him before.
Dr. E. B. Shapleigh testified to making the post mortem examination; there was a gunshot wound of upper lip; the ball passed through the lip; struck the teeth, deflected and passed outward through the lip; there was a tear on the nose, and the right eye was blackened, and there was a gunshot wound on the back, three inches to the left of the spinal column; the ball passed beneath the eleventh rib, through the spleen and diaphragm, through the upper part of the stomach, through the left lung, and was found in the cavity of the left p enia. The deceased came to his death from hemorrhage, caused by the wound I have described.
Patrick Maher, Inspector of the First Division, Seventh Ward, testified as to the row at the polls; saw two men named Ned Young and Geo. Wallington, beating his (witness) brother, and both fired at him while he was down; knew nothing of the shooting of Officer Young.
Officer Marshal Packer testified as follows:
- I was standing at Eighth and Lombard streets with Officer Young; saw a crowd from the polls rush back; we ran up to ascertain what was the matter; I was a little in advance; Young caught hold of a man, and I turned around to catch a man; another man slipped up from the street and struck Officer Young on the back of the head with a black-jack; I went to put my hand in my pocket; and four men, with revolvers in their hands, surrounded me, saying, "You do, you -----;" during this time, the man Officer Young had and the man who slipped up the street were engaged together; seeing no one but myself, I went back, to save my life, two loads were then fired at me; this was the first firing; I went along Eighth street to Pine, up Pine to Twelfth, to inform officers at that post to come to our relief; they came, and the mob was gone; was then told that Young had been shot; didn't know the man who presented a pistol at me; Young couldn't get away, because two men had hold of him; If I had drawn my pistol, I would have been shot dead on the spot.
George Galler testified that he was a man at the side door of the Robert Morris Hose House fire down Lombard street [NW cor. 9th & Lombard], but could not recognize him; did not see Officer Young shot.
Edward Knauff testified - Was at the poll window at the time the first blow was struck; John Shormer was struck and knocked in the street; the next I saw was Maher lying in the street; some person came out of the Morris Hose or the cigar store and fired the first shot; I ran across the street and stood behind a tree; heard seven shots at the corner; didn't see who shot or who was shot.
Charles McCall, testified - Was standing at the corner; looked over and saw the man fire the first shot; it was the same man I recognized yesterday at the prison; it was Jack Gallagher; he ran across the street behind a car; didn't see him do anything more; I got to a car and got out of the way; he fired down Eighth street towards Lombard; he was standing at the southwest corner; there were ten or twelve shots fired.
Policeman Wm. J. Orr testified - Had a conversation with Officer James Young; he told me he was a dying man; he said Dr. Gilbert had been the cause of all this; he brought all this trouble on me; he fetched those parties who shot me; I asked him what parties, and he said that crowd who came there about five minutes before six o'clock; he said they were brought by Dr. Gilbert and the man who was in company of him. He said that they were a crowd of Moyamensing Hose [8th below South] follows: he knew some of them by sight; he said further that they shot at him just because he was a police officer.
The case was then postponed until to-morrow morning.
Philadelphia Inquirer, October 22, 1868, page 2:
THE MURDER OF POLICEMAN YOUNG - THE CORONOR'S INVESTIGATION - Yesterday morning the inquest in the case of Policeman James Young, who was shot on election day at Eighth and Lombard streets, from the effects of which he died, was resumed by Coroner Daniels. The following testimony was elicited: -
Dr. W. K. Gilbert, residing S E corner Ninth and Pine streets, testified On the evening of election day I saw on my slate a direction to visit a child of Ald Devitt; on the way I met Mr. McGarr, whom I had seen for some time;I was anxious to see him in relation to some portraits which I was to receive from Mr. John M. Bailer; I asked him to walk along with me to the Alderman's,; on our way along Lombard street, nearly opposite Maher's hotel, I saw Michael Maher and several persons talking; I asked Mr. Maher what he had been fussing about in the morning; he said he was as good as any other man, or something to that effect; I discovered that he and Mr. McGarr were not very good friends; I saw that the parties were getting excited, and McGarr and I started off together; in going down Eighth street I left McGarr on Eighth street, below Shippen, opposite the Eighth Precinct House of Fourth Ward; I prescribed for the sick child and returned up Eighth street immediately; I found McGarr in pretty much the same place where I left him; I asked him to go up and hear the election news; he declined until I told him that he didn't want to hear the news, being Republican; then he said he would go up; we then walked up to Eighth and Lombard; this was about six o'clock; I asked him to go into Mr. Maher's and take a drink; he declined; we went in; and in about half a minute I heard a noise of firing in the direction of Ninth street; I went to the door and saw a pistol flash; I got frightened; the bartender and I got back of the bar; immediately afterwards an officer came in wounded; I didn't know him; he staggered, and I got hold of him; he said, "Gentlemen, you better go up stairs," he was bleeding about the face, and I told him he had better remain and let me dress his head; we took his advice about going upstairs; he came up a step or two and then went back; he took out a pistol and looked at it; then he went to the door and shooting commenced again; the firing ceased; I went across to Fagen's grocery store to quiet some young ladies; I asked some men whether anybody was hurt, and they said the firing seemed to be in the air; I walked along Eighth street to my home; didn't see the man after he was shot; the time I was gone from Eighth and Lombard streets until I returned was about ten minutes; I had no difficulty with anybody except the conversation with Mr. Maher; I have been attending his family for years, and have been in the habit of joking with him; I discovered from some remarks that McGarr and Maher had some difficulty; I never had a difficulty with a police officer; I don't know Policeman Young by name.
John A. Shermer, residing at N.E. corner Eighth and Tenth streets, testified - On election day I was at the window electioneering; about five o'clock a mob collected at Eighth and Lombard streets; I remarked to a friend that we better see what the difficulty was; some one came up and said that Michael Maher and Dr. S. Gilbert were wrangling about a voter; immediately after that I saw that the mob had dispersed; Maher went towards the window and Dr. Gilbert walked away; I took no further notice and turned my attention to the window-book which I had in my hand; some fifteen or twenty minutes elapsed and I felt some one pushing me from behind; I turned to see who was pushing, as no one was voting at the time, and in turning, my eye crossed several strange men, I also found it was Michael Maher behind me; from his movement I should suppose him to be frightened; at that moment someone said, "Mike, what's the matter?" Immediately someone said: - "Go in, you ---; four or five men then attached Maher; they jumped up on the platform; a man by the name of Young, who appeared to be the leader, jumped on the platform at me with a pistol in his hand said: - "You ----," and hit me with the pistol; we grappled, but he jerked away; I then discovered a mob in the street; they appeared to be beating one man who was among them; I moved toward the mob, and i saw Young strike Dauphin Matthews with the same pistol; Mr. Matthews fell with his head in the gutter and his body on the pavement; I then head a pistol shot; and Mr. Matthews and myself went into the house together; I then heard Patrick Maher say, "Is there any one here who will go and help me to drag in the body of my brother?" Matthews replied, "I will;" the two went to the street and picked up Mr. Maher and brought him in; he was taken to the yard, where I washed his head and examined the wounds; heard, I should judge, ten or fifteen shots fire; directly after the firing commenced some one said, "Younger (the name the officer is known by) was shot," didn't see Dr. Gilbert there after he left the first time; heard of his being in Mr. Maher's tavern, but not participating in the row.
James Moss, residing at the N. E. corner Tenth and South streets, testified - Was at the election polls, minutes before the closing was standing fifteen feet west of window; saw a fuss at the window; there was a rush towards the door; I stepped towards the middle of the street; a shot had been fired, and most of the people began to run; a man was being beaten by the others; I went opposite to Mr. Matthews' house; the man who was knocked down was carried away; the firing was renewed towards Eighth and Lombard streets; saw Officer Young coming up the street bleeding; he said he was shot in tow or three places, and two men took him along Eighth street; immediately afterwards the polls were closed; can't tell who was beating the man; I saw a man known as Young in the vicinity; there was a pistol in his hand; this was before the beating; didn't see a pistol in the hands of anybody else.
James McSorley, residing at No. 504 S. Ninth street, testified - About the time the polls closeda fight occurred; there was some shooting; saw some police officers shot; it was dark, and I couldn't see anybody else fire; I think I saw Edward Young; did not see him in the fight, didn't see him strike anybody with a pistol; think him and Maher got into the fight first; don't know who shot the policeman.
Paul L. Desgranges, No. 530 S. Ninth street, testified - Was at the polls, a rush occurred; it lasted about one minute; I left and went into Mr. Matthews; and stayed until the fuss was over; I knew nothing about the shooting.
John McGern, residing No. 1200 S. Seventh street, corroborated the evidence of Dr. Gilbert; didn't see anybody there that I knew; I know Edward Young; didn't see him there; didn't hear Dr. Gilbert make any threats.
The Coroner's jury returned a verdict that the said James Young came to his death from a gun-shot wound received at the hands of Edward Young and George Wallington, on the evening of October 13, 1868, at Eighth and Lombard streets.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Philadelphia City Council passed a resolution appropriating one thousand dollars to the family of Officer Young (Philadelphia Inquirer, October 23, 1868, page 2).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Officer Young was interred in Mount Moriah cemetery on October 16, 1868. Here is his family buried with him:
YOUNG James 1868 OCT 16 44 70 9th P. Church Ground
YOUNG Mary 1911 SEP 11 44 70
YOUNG Mcc. Jas. 1925 MAY 12 44 70
Sources:
1. Philadelphia Public Ledger
2. Philadelphia Inquirer
3. History of Philadelphia 1609 - 1884, Vol. 3 (Scharf and Westcott), page 1912. Morris and Moyamensing Hose House locations.
3. The Officer Down Memorial Page, Inc. http://www.odmp.org/officer/19528-policeman-james-young
4. Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Mount Moriah Cemetery Records 1856-1978. Online .
Policeman James Young
Philadelphia Police Department
Pennsylvania
End of Watch: Wednesday, October 14, 1868
Biographical Info
Age: 38
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Tuesday, October 13, 1868
Weapon Used: Handgun; Revolver
Suspect Info: Edward Young and George Wallington
Policeman James Young was shot and killed while attempting to make an arrest during a disturbance at a polling place at Eighth Street and Lombard Street.
Several men were fighting over the election and Policeman Young was shot several times as he attempted to arrest one of the men. He succumbed to his wounds the following day.
Policeman Young was survived by his expectant wife and six children.
Public Ledger, October 20, 1868, pg 1:
THE KILLING OF POLICEMAN YOUNG - INVESTIGATION BY THE CORONER
- The Corner commenced an investigation yesterday in the case of Policeman James Young, who died from the effect of shot wounds received at Eighth and Lombard streets, on Tuesday evening, last, the night of the election. The following, among other witnesses, were examined:
Henry Horn testified as follows: A few minutes before six o'clock on election evening, I went down Lombard street toward Eighth street; I got just above Eighth street some one said, "what is the matter?" I replied, "nothing;" I turned and looked up Lombard street, and saw the crowd in front of the police dispersing; I then ran up to see what was the matter; I was knocked down as soon as I got to the crowd; I think the man had a navy revolver in his hand when he knocked me down; in the act of getting up I saw Officer Young making an arrest in the street, and Officer Parker went to his assistance; at that time the shooting commenced, I retreated toward Eighth street, It was two or three minutes until I got to the corner; the shooting was generally all over the street; when I got to Maher's tavern, Eighth and Lombard streets, Officer Young came in and said he was shot; he had no hat, and asked for one; the hat was given to him by the bartender; he then went into the street and commenced fighting with the mob; he began exchanging shots with a man standing in the street; I passed across to the other corner; a man was standing on the corner of Eighth street; he deliberatley took out a pistol and fired at officer Young; I think the man who fired was Edward Young; I was about ten feet from him; I didn't see him fall; I saw his back; and from his general appearance I took it to be Young; I don't know what became of him; saw several shooting but don't know who the parties were; couldn't recognize the man who was in the street exchanging shots with officer Young; when the man Young fired I looked particularly at him; didn't see him before.
Dr. E. B. Shapleigh testified to making the post mortem examination; there was a gunshot wound of upper lip; the ball passed through the lip; struck the teeth, deflected and passed outward through the lip; there was a tear on the nose, and the right eye was blackened, and there was a gunshot wound on the back, three inches to the left of the spinal column; the ball passed beneath the eleventh rib, through the spleen and diaphragm, through the upper part of the stomach, through the left lung, and was found in the cavity of the left p enia. The deceased came to his death from hemorrhage, caused by the wound I have described.
Patrick Maher, Inspector of the First Division, Seventh Ward, testified as to the row at the polls; saw two men named Ned Young and Geo. Wallington, beating his (witness) brother, and both fired at him while he was down; knew nothing of the shooting of Officer Young.
Officer Marshal Packer testified as follows:
- I was standing at Eighth and Lombard streets with Officer Young; saw a crowd from the polls rush back; we ran up to ascertain what was the matter; I was a little in advance; Young caught hold of a man, and I turned around to catch a man; another man slipped up from the street and struck Officer Young on the back of the head with a black-jack; I went to put my hand in my pocket; and four men, with revolvers in their hands, surrounded me, saying, "You do, you -----;" during this time, the man Officer Young had and the man who slipped up the street were engaged together; seeing no one but myself, I went back, to save my life, two loads were then fired at me; this was the first firing; I went along Eighth street to Pine, up Pine to Twelfth, to inform officers at that post to come to our relief; they came, and the mob was gone; was then told that Young had been shot; didn't know the man who presented a pistol at me; Young couldn't get away, because two men had hold of him; If I had drawn my pistol, I would have been shot dead on the spot.
George Galler testified that he was a man at the side door of the Robert Morris Hose House fire down Lombard street [NW cor. 9th & Lombard], but could not recognize him; did not see Officer Young shot.
Edward Knauff testified - Was at the poll window at the time the first blow was struck; John Shormer was struck and knocked in the street; the next I saw was Maher lying in the street; some person came out of the Morris Hose or the cigar store and fired the first shot; I ran across the street and stood behind a tree; heard seven shots at the corner; didn't see who shot or who was shot.
Charles McCall, testified - Was standing at the corner; looked over and saw the man fire the first shot; it was the same man I recognized yesterday at the prison; it was Jack Gallagher; he ran across the street behind a car; didn't see him do anything more; I got to a car and got out of the way; he fired down Eighth street towards Lombard; he was standing at the southwest corner; there were ten or twelve shots fired.
Policeman Wm. J. Orr testified - Had a conversation with Officer James Young; he told me he was a dying man; he said Dr. Gilbert had been the cause of all this; he brought all this trouble on me; he fetched those parties who shot me; I asked him what parties, and he said that crowd who came there about five minutes before six o'clock; he said they were brought by Dr. Gilbert and the man who was in company of him. He said that they were a crowd of Moyamensing Hose [8th below South] follows: he knew some of them by sight; he said further that they shot at him just because he was a police officer.
The case was then postponed until to-morrow morning.
Philadelphia Inquirer, October 22, 1868, page 2:
THE MURDER OF POLICEMAN YOUNG - THE CORONOR'S INVESTIGATION - Yesterday morning the inquest in the case of Policeman James Young, who was shot on election day at Eighth and Lombard streets, from the effects of which he died, was resumed by Coroner Daniels. The following testimony was elicited: -
Dr. W. K. Gilbert, residing S E corner Ninth and Pine streets, testified On the evening of election day I saw on my slate a direction to visit a child of Ald Devitt; on the way I met Mr. McGarr, whom I had seen for some time;I was anxious to see him in relation to some portraits which I was to receive from Mr. John M. Bailer; I asked him to walk along with me to the Alderman's,; on our way along Lombard street, nearly opposite Maher's hotel, I saw Michael Maher and several persons talking; I asked Mr. Maher what he had been fussing about in the morning; he said he was as good as any other man, or something to that effect; I discovered that he and Mr. McGarr were not very good friends; I saw that the parties were getting excited, and McGarr and I started off together; in going down Eighth street I left McGarr on Eighth street, below Shippen, opposite the Eighth Precinct House of Fourth Ward; I prescribed for the sick child and returned up Eighth street immediately; I found McGarr in pretty much the same place where I left him; I asked him to go up and hear the election news; he declined until I told him that he didn't want to hear the news, being Republican; then he said he would go up; we then walked up to Eighth and Lombard; this was about six o'clock; I asked him to go into Mr. Maher's and take a drink; he declined; we went in; and in about half a minute I heard a noise of firing in the direction of Ninth street; I went to the door and saw a pistol flash; I got frightened; the bartender and I got back of the bar; immediately afterwards an officer came in wounded; I didn't know him; he staggered, and I got hold of him; he said, "Gentlemen, you better go up stairs," he was bleeding about the face, and I told him he had better remain and let me dress his head; we took his advice about going upstairs; he came up a step or two and then went back; he took out a pistol and looked at it; then he went to the door and shooting commenced again; the firing ceased; I went across to Fagen's grocery store to quiet some young ladies; I asked some men whether anybody was hurt, and they said the firing seemed to be in the air; I walked along Eighth street to my home; didn't see the man after he was shot; the time I was gone from Eighth and Lombard streets until I returned was about ten minutes; I had no difficulty with anybody except the conversation with Mr. Maher; I have been attending his family for years, and have been in the habit of joking with him; I discovered from some remarks that McGarr and Maher had some difficulty; I never had a difficulty with a police officer; I don't know Policeman Young by name.
John A. Shermer, residing at N.E. corner Eighth and Tenth streets, testified - On election day I was at the window electioneering; about five o'clock a mob collected at Eighth and Lombard streets; I remarked to a friend that we better see what the difficulty was; some one came up and said that Michael Maher and Dr. S. Gilbert were wrangling about a voter; immediately after that I saw that the mob had dispersed; Maher went towards the window and Dr. Gilbert walked away; I took no further notice and turned my attention to the window-book which I had in my hand; some fifteen or twenty minutes elapsed and I felt some one pushing me from behind; I turned to see who was pushing, as no one was voting at the time, and in turning, my eye crossed several strange men, I also found it was Michael Maher behind me; from his movement I should suppose him to be frightened; at that moment someone said, "Mike, what's the matter?" Immediately someone said: - "Go in, you ---; four or five men then attached Maher; they jumped up on the platform; a man by the name of Young, who appeared to be the leader, jumped on the platform at me with a pistol in his hand said: - "You ----," and hit me with the pistol; we grappled, but he jerked away; I then discovered a mob in the street; they appeared to be beating one man who was among them; I moved toward the mob, and i saw Young strike Dauphin Matthews with the same pistol; Mr. Matthews fell with his head in the gutter and his body on the pavement; I then head a pistol shot; and Mr. Matthews and myself went into the house together; I then heard Patrick Maher say, "Is there any one here who will go and help me to drag in the body of my brother?" Matthews replied, "I will;" the two went to the street and picked up Mr. Maher and brought him in; he was taken to the yard, where I washed his head and examined the wounds; heard, I should judge, ten or fifteen shots fire; directly after the firing commenced some one said, "Younger (the name the officer is known by) was shot," didn't see Dr. Gilbert there after he left the first time; heard of his being in Mr. Maher's tavern, but not participating in the row.
James Moss, residing at the N. E. corner Tenth and South streets, testified - Was at the election polls, minutes before the closing was standing fifteen feet west of window; saw a fuss at the window; there was a rush towards the door; I stepped towards the middle of the street; a shot had been fired, and most of the people began to run; a man was being beaten by the others; I went opposite to Mr. Matthews' house; the man who was knocked down was carried away; the firing was renewed towards Eighth and Lombard streets; saw Officer Young coming up the street bleeding; he said he was shot in tow or three places, and two men took him along Eighth street; immediately afterwards the polls were closed; can't tell who was beating the man; I saw a man known as Young in the vicinity; there was a pistol in his hand; this was before the beating; didn't see a pistol in the hands of anybody else.
James McSorley, residing at No. 504 S. Ninth street, testified - About the time the polls closeda fight occurred; there was some shooting; saw some police officers shot; it was dark, and I couldn't see anybody else fire; I think I saw Edward Young; did not see him in the fight, didn't see him strike anybody with a pistol; think him and Maher got into the fight first; don't know who shot the policeman.
Paul L. Desgranges, No. 530 S. Ninth street, testified - Was at the polls, a rush occurred; it lasted about one minute; I left and went into Mr. Matthews; and stayed until the fuss was over; I knew nothing about the shooting.
John McGern, residing No. 1200 S. Seventh street, corroborated the evidence of Dr. Gilbert; didn't see anybody there that I knew; I know Edward Young; didn't see him there; didn't hear Dr. Gilbert make any threats.
The Coroner's jury returned a verdict that the said James Young came to his death from a gun-shot wound received at the hands of Edward Young and George Wallington, on the evening of October 13, 1868, at Eighth and Lombard streets.
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Philadelphia City Council passed a resolution appropriating one thousand dollars to the family of Officer Young (Philadelphia Inquirer, October 23, 1868, page 2).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Officer Young was interred in Mount Moriah cemetery on October 16, 1868. Here is his family buried with him:
YOUNG James 1868 OCT 16 44 70 9th P. Church Ground
YOUNG Mary 1911 SEP 11 44 70
YOUNG Mcc. Jas. 1925 MAY 12 44 70
Sources:
1. Philadelphia Public Ledger
2. Philadelphia Inquirer
3. History of Philadelphia 1609 - 1884, Vol. 3 (Scharf and Westcott), page 1912. Morris and Moyamensing Hose House locations.
3. The Officer Down Memorial Page, Inc. http://www.odmp.org/officer/19528-policeman-james-young
4. Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Mount Moriah Cemetery Records 1856-1978. Online .
Philadelphia Police Department
Pennsylvania
End of Watch: Wednesday, October 14, 1868
Biographical Info
Age: 38
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Tuesday, October 13, 1868
Weapon Used: Handgun; Revolver
Suspect Info: Edward Young and George Wallington
Policeman James Young was shot and killed while attempting to make an arrest during a disturbance at a polling place at Eighth Street and Lombard Street.
Several men were fighting over the election and Policeman Young was shot several times as he attempted to arrest one of the men. He succumbed to his wounds the following day.
Policeman Young was survived by his expectant wife and six children.
Public Ledger, October 20, 1868, pg 1:
THE KILLING OF POLICEMAN YOUNG - INVESTIGATION BY THE CORONER
- The Corner commenced an investigation yesterday in the case of Policeman James Young, who died from the effect of shot wounds received at Eighth and Lombard streets, on Tuesday evening, last, the night of the election. The following, among other witnesses, were examined:
Henry Horn testified as follows: A few minutes before six o'clock on election evening, I went down Lombard street toward Eighth street; I got just above Eighth street some one said, "what is the matter?" I replied, "nothing;" I turned and looked up Lombard street, and saw the crowd in front of the police dispersing; I then ran up to see what was the matter; I was knocked down as soon as I got to the crowd; I think the man had a navy revolver in his hand when he knocked me down; in the act of getting up I saw Officer Young making an arrest in the street, and Officer Parker went to his assistance; at that time the shooting commenced, I retreated toward Eighth street, It was two or three minutes until I got to the corner; the shooting was generally all over the street; when I got to Maher's tavern, Eighth and Lombard streets, Officer Young came in and said he was shot; he had no hat, and asked for one; the hat was given to him by the bartender; he then went into the street and commenced fighting with the mob; he began exchanging shots with a man standing in the street; I passed across to the other corner; a man was standing on the corner of Eighth street; he deliberatley took out a pistol and fired at officer Young; I think the man who fired was Edward Young; I was about ten feet from him; I didn't see him fall; I saw his back; and from his general appearance I took it to be Young; I don't know what became of him; saw several shooting but don't know who the parties were; couldn't recognize the man who was in the street exchanging shots with officer Young; when the man Young fired I looked particularly at him; didn't see him before.
Dr. E. B. Shapleigh testified to making the post mortem examination; there was a gunshot wound of upper lip; the ball passed through the lip; struck the teeth, deflected and passed outward through the lip; there was a tear on the nose, and the right eye was blackened, and there was a gunshot wound on the back, three inches to the left of the spinal column; the ball passed beneath the eleventh rib, through the spleen and diaphragm, through the upper part of the stomach, through the left lung, and was found in the cavity of the left p enia. The deceased came to his death from hemorrhage, caused by the wound I have described.
Patrick Maher, Inspector of the First Division, Seventh Ward, testified as to the row at the polls; saw two men named Ned Young and Geo. Wallington, beating his (witness) brother, and both fired at him while he was down; knew nothing of the shooting of Officer Young.
Officer Marshal Packer testified as follows:
- I was standing at Eighth and Lombard streets with Officer Young; saw a crowd from the polls rush back; we ran up to ascertain what was the matter; I was a little in advance; Young caught hold of a man, and I turned around to catch a man; another man slipped up from the street and struck Officer Young on the back of the head with a black-jack; I went to put my hand in my pocket; and four men, with revolvers in their hands, surrounded me, saying, "You do, you -----;" during this time, the man Officer Young had and the man who slipped up the street were engaged together; seeing no one but myself, I went back, to save my life, two loads were then fired at me; this was the first firing; I went along Eighth street to Pine, up Pine to Twelfth, to inform officers at that post to come to our relief; they came, and the mob was gone; was then told that Young had been shot; didn't know the man who presented a pistol at me; Young couldn't get away, because two men had hold of him; If I had drawn my pistol, I would have been shot dead on the spot.
George Galler testified that he was a man at the side door of the Robert Morris Hose House fire down Lombard street [NW cor. 9th & Lombard], but could not recognize him; did not see Officer Young shot.
Edward Knauff testified - Was at the poll window at the time the first blow was struck; John Shormer was struck and knocked in the street; the next I saw was Maher lying in the street; some person came out of the Morris Hose or the cigar store and fired the first shot; I ran across the street and stood behind a tree; heard seven shots at the corner; didn't see who shot or who was shot.
Charles McCall, testified - Was standing at the corner; looked over and saw the man fire the first shot; it was the same man I recognized yesterday at the prison; it was Jack Gallagher; he ran across the street behind a car; didn't see him do anything more; I got to a car and got out of the way; he fired down Eighth street towards Lombard; he was standing at the southwest corner; there were ten or twelve shots fired.
Policeman Wm. J. Orr testified - Had a conversation with Officer James Young; he told me he was a dying man; he said Dr. Gilbert had been the cause of all this; he brought all this trouble on me; he fetched those parties who shot me; I asked him what parties, and he said that crowd who came there about five minutes before six o'clock; he said they were brought by Dr. Gilbert and the man who was in company of him. He said that they were a crowd of Moyamensing Hose [8th below South] follows: he knew some of them by sight; he said further that they shot at him just because he was a police officer.
The case was then postponed until to-morrow morning.
Philadelphia Inquirer, October 22, 1868, page 2:
THE MURDER OF POLICEMAN YOUNG - THE CORONOR'S INVESTIGATION - Yesterday morning the inquest in the case of Policeman James Young, who was shot on election day at Eighth and Lombard streets, from the effects of which he died, was resumed by Coroner Daniels. The following testimony was elicited: -
Dr. W. K. Gilbert, residing S E corner Ninth and Pine streets, testified On the evening of election day I saw on my slate a direction to visit a child of Ald Devitt; on the way I met Mr. McGarr, whom I had seen for some time;I was anxious to see him in relation to some portraits which I was to receive from Mr. John M. Bailer; I asked him to walk along with me to the Alderman's,; on our way along Lombard street, nearly opposite Maher's hotel, I saw Michael Maher and several persons talking; I asked Mr. Maher what he had been fussing about in the morning; he said he was as good as any other man, or something to that effect; I discovered that he and Mr. McGarr were not very good friends; I saw that the parties were getting excited, and McGarr and I started off together; in going down Eighth street I left McGarr on Eighth street, below Shippen, opposite the Eighth Precinct House of Fourth Ward; I prescribed for the sick child and returned up Eighth street immediately; I found McGarr in pretty much the same place where I left him; I asked him to go up and hear the election news; he declined until I told him that he didn't want to hear the news, being Republican; then he said he would go up; we then walked up to Eighth and Lombard; this was about six o'clock; I asked him to go into Mr. Maher's and take a drink; he declined; we went in; and in about half a minute I heard a noise of firing in the direction of Ninth street; I went to the door and saw a pistol flash; I got frightened; the bartender and I got back of the bar; immediately afterwards an officer came in wounded; I didn't know him; he staggered, and I got hold of him; he said, "Gentlemen, you better go up stairs," he was bleeding about the face, and I told him he had better remain and let me dress his head; we took his advice about going upstairs; he came up a step or two and then went back; he took out a pistol and looked at it; then he went to the door and shooting commenced again; the firing ceased; I went across to Fagen's grocery store to quiet some young ladies; I asked some men whether anybody was hurt, and they said the firing seemed to be in the air; I walked along Eighth street to my home; didn't see the man after he was shot; the time I was gone from Eighth and Lombard streets until I returned was about ten minutes; I had no difficulty with anybody except the conversation with Mr. Maher; I have been attending his family for years, and have been in the habit of joking with him; I discovered from some remarks that McGarr and Maher had some difficulty; I never had a difficulty with a police officer; I don't know Policeman Young by name.
John A. Shermer, residing at N.E. corner Eighth and Tenth streets, testified - On election day I was at the window electioneering; about five o'clock a mob collected at Eighth and Lombard streets; I remarked to a friend that we better see what the difficulty was; some one came up and said that Michael Maher and Dr. S. Gilbert were wrangling about a voter; immediately after that I saw that the mob had dispersed; Maher went towards the window and Dr. Gilbert walked away; I took no further notice and turned my attention to the window-book which I had in my hand; some fifteen or twenty minutes elapsed and I felt some one pushing me from behind; I turned to see who was pushing, as no one was voting at the time, and in turning, my eye crossed several strange men, I also found it was Michael Maher behind me; from his movement I should suppose him to be frightened; at that moment someone said, "Mike, what's the matter?" Immediately someone said: - "Go in, you ---; four or five men then attached Maher; they jumped up on the platform; a man by the name of Young, who appeared to be the leader, jumped on the platform at me with a pistol in his hand said: - "You ----," and hit me with the pistol; we grappled, but he jerked away; I then discovered a mob in the street; they appeared to be beating one man who was among them; I moved toward the mob, and i saw Young strike Dauphin Matthews with the same pistol; Mr. Matthews fell with his head in the gutter and his body on the pavement; I then head a pistol shot; and Mr. Matthews and myself went into the house together; I then heard Patrick Maher say, "Is there any one here who will go and help me to drag in the body of my brother?" Matthews replied, "I will;" the two went to the street and picked up Mr. Maher and brought him in; he was taken to the yard, where I washed his head and examined the wounds; heard, I should judge, ten or fifteen shots fire; directly after the firing commenced some one said, "Younger (the name the officer is known by) was shot," didn't see Dr. Gilbert there after he left the first time; heard of his being in Mr. Maher's tavern, but not participating in the row.
James Moss, residing at the N. E. corner Tenth and South streets, testified - Was at the election polls, minutes before the closing was standing fifteen feet west of window; saw a fuss at the window; there was a rush towards the door; I stepped towards the middle of the street; a shot had been fired, and most of the people began to run; a man was being beaten by the others; I went opposite to Mr. Matthews' house; the man who was knocked down was carried away; the firing was renewed towards Eighth and Lombard streets; saw Officer Young coming up the street bleeding; he said he was shot in tow or three places, and two men took him along Eighth street; immediately afterwards the polls were closed; can't tell who was beating the man; I saw a man known as Young in the vicinity; there was a pistol in his hand; this was before the beating; didn't see a pistol in the hands of anybody else.
James McSorley, residing at No. 504 S. Ninth street, testified - About the time the polls closeda fight occurred; there was some shooting; saw some police officers shot; it was dark, and I couldn't see anybody else fire; I think I saw Edward Young; did not see him in the fight, didn't see him strike anybody with a pistol; think him and Maher got into the fight first; don't know who shot the policeman.
Paul L. Desgranges, No. 530 S. Ninth street, testified - Was at the polls, a rush occurred; it lasted about one minute; I left and went into Mr. Matthews; and stayed until the fuss was over; I knew nothing about the shooting.
John McGern, residing No. 1200 S. Seventh street, corroborated the evidence of Dr. Gilbert; didn't see anybody there that I knew; I know Edward Young; didn't see him there; didn't hear Dr. Gilbert make any threats.
The Coroner's jury returned a verdict that the said James Young came to his death from a gun-shot wound received at the hands of Edward Young and George Wallington, on the evening of October 13, 1868, at Eighth and Lombard streets.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Philadelphia City Council passed a resolution appropriating one thousand dollars to the family of Officer Young (Philadelphia Inquirer, October 23, 1868, page 2).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Officer Young was interred in Mount Moriah cemetery on October 16, 1868. Here is his family buried with him:
YOUNG James 1868 OCT 16 44 70 9th P. Church Ground
YOUNG Mary 1911 SEP 11 44 70
YOUNG Mcc. Jas. 1925 MAY 12 44 70
Sources:
1. Philadelphia Public Ledger
2. Philadelphia Inquirer
3. History of Philadelphia 1609 - 1884, Vol. 3 (Scharf and Westcott), page 1912. Morris and Moyamensing Hose House locations.
3. The Officer Down Memorial Page, Inc. http://www.odmp.org/officer/19528-policeman-james-young
4. Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Mount Moriah Cemetery Records 1856-1978. Online .
Family Members
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