The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-03-21

MURDER IN THE STREETS OF OUR CIrY-CHAHLKs
G. CoRLlss SHOT BYA WoMAN-GRKAr EXCITEMENT.
Our city was the scene last evening of one of
the most audacous murders that has ever been
committed within Its limits, and the excitement
created in consequence, spread throughout the
whole population before midnight.
At about five minutes before seven o'clock last
evening, the report of pistol was heard in Leonard
street. nearly opposite the centre OF the Carlton
House, which attracted the attention OF persons
passing and IN the hotel, who upon rushing
TO the spot from whence the pistol appeared
be fired, found man the pavement
to all appearances shot dead. Mr.. Henry
Geston and Thomas Tolfree raised him up and con-
veyed him into the part OF the bar room OF the
Carlton House, when he was recognized as CHARLES
g. CoRLIss, proprietor of the Bowling Saloon in the
basement of 800 Broadway, and brother of the one
whose establishment is in the same building with
the American Museum. Immediately after, five
barrel pistol was picked up in the streets with one
charge exploded and the other barrels loaded and
capped DR. Putnam, who was IN the house, imme'
dately examined his body, and found that he had
been shot with ball, which had passed through his
hat entering the part of the head near the base
of the skull, in upward direction and lodged in
the BRAIN Corliss being unable to speak, he probed
the wound with silver pencil and found that it
tended its whole length He had fallen upon his face,
and caused severe confusion on his forehead
Barnabas Osborn, Esq, one of the clerks of the
lower police, on being instantly apprised OF
the murder, gave notice to the police and
Justice Matsell, with officers McKibbon, Cock
efair, Sweet, Drinker, Colvln, the Smiths,
and others, repaired Immediately TO the Ho-
tel and learning the particulars, Justice Matsell,
with several officers, Immediately repaired to the
boarding house of J.iH Cotton, IA Vesey street, to
arrest him on Suspicion Of his having committed the
deed, as he was under bonds in the sum of 5000
for attempting to shoot Corss on Friday, the 10th
instant in the same street.
Before the officers had left the Hotel, number of
rumors were in circulation as to the manner in
which he had been shot, and among others, that he
had been seen al few moments Previous talking to
woman in Leonard street, near where he was
found.
On arriving at the house of Cotton, Justice Matsell
knocked at the door and obtaining entrance asked if
Mr.. Cotton was in-being answered in the affirma-
tive he stepped into the parlor and found Cotton and
Parsons the proprietor of the house, seated together
Cotton spoke to the Justice, when the latter inform
ed him that he wished to see him in private. Col
ton then asked Mr.. Parsons to step out of the room
when Justice Matsel SLAPPED him on the shoulder,
saying, "you are my prisoner, that man is muir
dered" Cotton not appearing to understand him, he
repeated, "that man is murdered and it is suspected
that you or woman has done it." Cotton appear
ed lost in thought for an instant, then putting his fin
ger to his head said, "the black boy told me that
my wife went out this afternoon, but it couldn't be
her either, as I have thought she loved him."
Cotton here paused and remained absorbed within
himself for few minutes, and then said, Justice
Matsel, how you did make my heart beat. Justice
Matsell then took out his watch to note the time,
which was few minutes past seven, when Cotton
done the same, and remarked that his watch was
a minute too fast when ST. Pauls clock struck the
hour of seven AS he had then looked at it where he
had been sitting in the parlor.
His boots were then examined and showed no
evidence ofhaving been recently in the street. He
denied all participation in the murder, and Justice
Matsell replied by saying that he hoped he would
make his innocence manifest.
AT this instant, a woman came into the house,
dressed IN straw bonnet and veil, and passed up
stains ia grent haste into the front room the
cond story occupied by the housekeeper of Mr.. Par
sons. Officers James and F.Smith and Drinker stop
ped her, and she said she had just come from Green
street, down Broadway, and had run like a race
horse. She appeared to be acquainted with the in
mates of the house, and was allowed to pass on
,cittort being instantly arrested she should haze
been, on suspicion.
During this interview between Justice Matsell and
Cotton, the officers were busily engaged in search
ing every apartment of the house, but nothing was
found to excite suspicion against Cotton except
pair of pistol bullet moulds. that being matched
with the pistol that fired in the street, appeared
to be too large to suit it,
But little further conversation passed between
Justice Matsel and Cotton, but he continued to aver
that he had not been out of the house during the
evening. He was then taken by the Justice to the
City Prison, and confined in one of the cells.
During this time the dying man laid on a table in
the near part of the bar of the Carlton House,
attended by DR.. Hosack and others and his brother,
who held one of his hands, while he suffused it with
his tears and sobs Corss never spoke from the
time he received the wound until he died, which
was not until four minutes after ten last night he
having lived over three hours gasping for every
breath
His body was then conveyed to his boarding
house. lOS Leonard street, where post mortem ex.
animation and inquest will take place by physicians
during this day.
The Mayor, who has taken lodgings at the Carl
ton House, was on the spot almost instantly after
the murder was discovered, and gave directions to
the Police and watch, in order preserve the peace
about the premises, which, at an early hour, was
crowded at every corner.
From Mr.. Robinson, who has recently assisted
Corliss in the saloon, learned that at about half
past six O'Clock in the evening" while he and Cor
liss seated in the saloon reading letter, they
heard tap at the door, which was opened, and a
female entered dressed in cloak, straw hat and
green veil. As soon as Corliss saw her, he
raised both his hands in an attitude Gig
nifying his wish for her to 60 away