The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-07-17
From me Courier and Enquirer
ANOTHER DREADFUL MURDER.

Il
defeat Of the merchantmen" and one OF them named
David Tan. was severely beaten by one Of the "man
| of wars men," named Andrew j. Remsen. Some two
hours aierward, the former determined on revenge,
went accompanied by number Of hts irends 10 the
boarding house Of Remsen, 332 Water street, where
fight ensued which resulted 10 the death Of Remsen
The affair has caused tremendous excitement
among the seamen, the full particulars Of which we
give In the following testimony taken before the Coro-
ner at inquest held yesterday at the ciiy prison, on
/ the body of the deceased, which is as follows:
Dr. Tonneer, physician TO the city prison, says he
has made post morlem examination IN company with
DR. Sweet, and found wound about an inch IN width
and about an inch above the NIPPLE and the outside
OF II. which all The external marks found; on
examining the body found the wound had penetrated
entirely through the substance Of the heart into the left
/ venrclc Of the heart, which would death almost
| immediately. The wound appeared to have been done
with some sharp instrument have no doubt the wound
caused the death.
James Slater knew deceased; live at 1872 Water ST.;
am sailor---wss employed on board tho same vessel
with deceased-was with him about 10 o'clock at 332
Water street, the door Of the house where reside
Heard conversation between deceased and others
among whom was myself Deceased aud Taft had had
some difficulty previously The parties were quarrel
hog Myself, Sas Smith and others were trying TO
make peace. Saw deceased strike Tsll, and then saw
Taft put his hand into his bosom. and drawing it
no made thrust al deceased. Deceased reeed from
the wax, and cried out, :. am stabbed" We helped
him INTO tho house The man now here (Tsfi) is tho
one was engaged in the fight last night, twas him
who struck deceased
Siss Smith lives at the same place with the last wit
| ness. Was a seaman board the u. s. ship North
Carolina /; born on Long Island. Deceased also be-
longed on board The vessel: did not know Taft
The airay took place about ten o'clock in front Of the
house 1872 Water street.
Previous 10 the ARRAY, deceased told me that he had
had quarrel with Taft the day We were look
ing through Oak street for deceased found him. and
went to our boarding house Taft and deceased had
some words together in which deceased admitted thar
he had before struck him (Taft) Taft and another
| man then wanted to fight deceased. Deceased took
of his coat and said he could light both Of them
witness however nterfered and persuaded him not 10
hgn some farther dispute took place between them
ana an ran across the way to get some other men
| ne shortly came back, when deceased took of his
| coat again and they commenced fight. Some few
| blows were struck both sides when thrust was
| made at deceased by Taft, when deceased fell back
| and said, Smith, I'm stabbed" I then called the
watch, when Taft off, followed him and called to
others to stop him, Some one trpped him, and he
fell into the street He then secured and brought
TO the watch house. Matthew Hanlon and Robert
Leggett brought him to the watch house. We then
took Remsen to Dr. Leeds store Of Roosevelt
and Cherry Streets where left him 10 go the watch
house. Deceased was still living when left. The
man here (Taft) is the who struck deceased
last night.
| Archibald McDougal shipmase with the de-
ceased board the ship Ontario, from New Or
leans. We arrived in port day before yesterday.
The knife now shown did not belong to Taft Had
his knife to cut tobacco with yesterday. Saw Taft
yesterday morning, when brcakfascd with him, left
him about IL O'Clock and did not him afterward.
| The man now here (prisoner) is David Taft.
| Philip Roach lives at 81 Beekman street. Have
seen Taft have knife, don't know that could
swear to II. Was with Taft when the ahray occurred,
two men knock Taft down. and drag him into
entry, 10 Water street almost o'clock in the
evening The men were both drunk, Taft was also
drunk the time. Can't say that the knife shown
is the same Taft had ! had nothing TO D., with the
affair at the time the wound was gwen Taft had
been knocked down when went for some officers,
and when returned deceased had been stabbed -
When left Taft was down, and three Of the North
Carolina men over him. Taft had blue frock
and cap on. the cap Of seal skin. had known
Taft for long time. was born in Liverpool where
Taft born also Taft has relations in Liverpool.
His mother is dead .@-.a 1a a... v
Luther S,ebbins-Am a city Waterman; about 10
o'clock last night passing through Water, between
Dover and Roosevelt streets. when saw man RIM
ming, and people crying stop, This man was Taft;
saw him fall several persons caught hold Of him
took charge of him. A large came up, who said
he officer, and to him gave Taft in charge
Heard knife fall, and got candle and found the knife
now shown about five feet from where aft fell ook
the knife into store and examining the blade found
it what supposed to be fresh blood-the blade was
in DR.. Leeds store Think the man present (Taf)
is the same one arrested last eycning-cannot say
positively. AZ. ..~ ... ....~, ..~
Matthew Hanlop.-Am city marshall. As far as
acquainted with the matter, the previous witnesses
have stated correctly.
The man now here (Taft) is the person arrested
last evening.
Robert Legget Keeps boarding house at No, 299
Water street Says he was the corner OF Water and
Roosevelt street. and saw man roaming from crowd,
4 A. L.L ll.n1a and
tripped him aud he fell and when he fell something fell
from his hand, which sounded like the falling Of
knife Officer Hsnlon came up and took him, and
brought him up. Know the mans they call him Thorpe
Have known him years, He is sailor and believe
he was born in Ireland Lent hand TO bring deceased
home, did not know him before Accused the man with
having sheath knife. He denied it. Examined hun,
and could find no knife on him. He was dressed III
blue frock aud trowsers, and fur cap Think ne came
from New Orleans last Saturday, in the ship Ontario
Of Bath. The man now here (Iaft) is the man whom
/ tripped, and arrested last night
John Holmes, an Englishman and sailor, boarder
at 332 Water says this evening about ~ clock
was in the bar room Of No 1872 Water street. and saw
one man strike another with his right hand, and from
parael with his belly he struck blow upwards, and
deceased came or steps toward the door and said,
Smith am stabbed, ran and took him IN the house,
| and unbuttoned his suspenders, and found his shirt
bloody, and his comrades came and took him away
| Deceased said had made prett, good mark Don't
recognize the man here lait) as the one VINO SUI
deceased.
Peter Holm. is Dane. Is a sailor, and boards at
| John Hearns, 1872 Water street Knew the deceased
az one Of the crew Of the North Carona-haye known
! him few days. This evening about 10 o'clock de-
| ceased and Two Of bis shipmates came down to our
house, and deceased said, damn Il my shirt IS torn and
4 asked man who there what he had followed HIM
all the evening for, and deceased struck the man
blow in the breast, and the other man made d blow
with his hand in horizontal position and deceased
said, am stabbed. His shipnate who was with him
then cried on, Watch and we took him in the house.
aud then his shipmates took him away to the doc
tors Did not him again until saw him IN the
wachhouse dead, and thai is all know about It, The
man now here (Tah) looks much like the one who
struck deceased his dress is the same Cant swear
positively.
VIM Lane, Essex street, is hrother-ln-law OF de-
[ Lie ~