Two Men Wounded at Ballyclough 1869

HEALY, CANOVAN, SULLIVAN, MCCABE

Posted By: Cheryl Locher Moonen (email)
Date: 2/12/2016 at 18:15:24

The Herald, Sunday, Tuesday, March 16, 1869

SHOOTING AFFRAY
~
Two Men Seriously Wounded at
Ballyclough, One of Them
Fatally
~
Flight and Pursuit

A bloody affray occurred at Ballyclough on Wednesday evening, resulting in the shooting of two men, one of them so severely that he was not expected to survive through the night.

During the day Martin Canovan had been in the city, and probably had drunk somewhat freely. About sundown he reached the post office at John O’Reagan’s to Ballyclough, on his way home to Whitewater Township. Here he had an altercation with a farmer living near, named Malachi Healy. We have not learned the cause of the quarrel. It appears that it became so violent that Canovan finally drew a revolver and shot Healy, the ball striking him in the right breast, the ball passing through the liver, inflicting a wound thought to be mortal. Canovan immediately drove off, but was followed by Michael Healy, a brother of the wounded man, and others who sought to arrest him. They overtook Canovan when he had proceeded two or three miles. He showed fight however and refused to be arrested. He again drew his revolver and fired at Michael Healy, hitting him in the loin and wounding him severely, Canovan then escaped.

A messenger was dispatched at once for Dr. Bigelow, and soon after John McCabe and Mark Sullivan coming on their way home from the city, volunteered to return and secure the services of Dr. Horr. Dr. Horr was therefore called and started immediately. There was little prospect of recovery of Malachi Healy, but his brother is though well recovered. Malachi is a married man, but Michael is single. Both of the Healy’s are said to be honest, sober, and industrious farmers, and much respected by their neighbors. Great excitement prevails in the neighborhood.

A party was organized in the evening to pursue and capture Canovan, and he will undoubtedly be placed in custody today.