The New York Herald

A FRIENDLY FIGHT.

Trying Who is "the Best Man" and Losing a Finger.

Peter Connelly, alias Conners, a waiter, residing at 223 East Twenty-second street, and a companion named Lewis Derbest, of 109 West Fortieth Street, on Friday afternoon went on a drunk together and imbibed a large amount of fighting whiskey. About half-past eight, while they were discussing as to who was "the best man" of the two, Connolly proposed that they indulge in a little skirmish on their own hook. Derbest being in good fighting condition readily assented, and the two clinched. After rolling over the pavement for about half a block in each other's embrace Connolly succeeded in getting his adversary's finger in his mouth, and bit it nearly off. Derbest's shout for help brought to his assistance Officer Bowland, of the Twenty-ninth precinct, who conveyed the man eater to the station house, when a police surgeon was summoned and the injured finger, which was hanging by the skin, properly cared for. The prisoner was arraigned before Justice Shandley, at Jefferson Market, yesterday morning, and committed for examination.