The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-09-19
The Iobokeu Rioters,

rERMuSrR, HUDSON Co,
Prssdpg-Chie Justice Green and Judges Tho mas Van
Wrinkle. Griffith, and Garretson. Gen Wright, State
Attorney
TRIAL OF WILLIAM HIGoINs-A VERDICT OF GUILTY.
sErr ls--The trial Of the Hoboken rioters commenced
yesterday In the above court held ct Bergen Hill and the
frs person called for trial William Higgins an Irish
man, resident Of Hoboken, indicted for violent
saut and battery ON the person Of German named
Conrad Iasscurs resident Of No b52 Pearl street In
this city, inflicted by the prisoner on the 9th Of May
Last NJ oboken, the day following the great riot Tho
prisoner was brought Into court from the Jail where he
hss been confined since bis arrest. jury empa.
hsiied and the State Attorney briefly opened ths
Conftd liaieurs on whom the assault was Committed
tie 18th day Of May he at Boboken and when
hr B,eEers, walking quietly along the road towards the
trry, alone, the prisoner came UP TO him and
struck bin violent blow on the eye mi 1rny him Sc
Tefc hi eye Is Affected, up to this time from the vio-
ltnce 81 tie injury.
George u D,mott sworn says-Tre reside. at Bergen
aud manufactures mineral water; he was the "a Of
May lss al ioboken with his wagon, and the frat he
saw was the prisoner talking with German; and know
ing The prisoner he w1Ldcred TO him tGlSing
German and more consequence Of the riot the day
before after be passed them be heard tbs prisoner
cay Ieu Dutch son 81 - the witness also saw a
cane with knob the end GuI turning srouad he
(Siines) saw he prisoner striking the German with the
cane; he could the witness stopped mis- horses
aud got out q the wagon and then the prisoner
running away, down the bill the German pursuei him.
aud ultimately caught HIM they both clencbed toge
ther ana is IN the sand the German covered With
blood, AID could scarcely b. recognized white man.
n.
tfes at obosen and reeo ects eeing the prisoner Hg
gins on the afternoon q the 2th Of May the
vas going TO vista who bad been seriously iajused
the csy before; his atteaton drawn q two m.n
rurning deponept went Up 10 the men aud by this
tine they we're both down tcgsther the Ger
nan was lyitg on his back ani Iiiarins on the
toI dsponent seized tie prisoner BY the collar pulled
him OF the German, aud demonstrated VITA him,
ana told him be must not beat the German
hssiDs replied that he (the Germany had the day
iefe Killed Irshman, and he intended TO XIII the
German Wiinsss inisted that no more riot should
euI 90 tins tine the German exhibited great injury
his eye appeared q be closed and mis- sce aud person
vsIe covered with blood woman 81 this time up
aLd tod the prisoner not to strike Opponent ne
tie priest q number Of Germans soon congregated,
armed tor the Iurpose Of defending the injured man
The prosecution leTe cs sed aud rested the case
Counsel for the offence then briefly opened and call
ed with view Of fhovirx That instead OF his
client being the aeeseor he the party rat assault
%, aid during the whole airay was merely defending
Niui&m r. Collins being sworn. dcposed-Thst he
knows the prisoner 81 the bar the prisoner and depo
neut coming down the road on the day in question:
mar Mr.. BocIet's, and three dermans were coming
aoIF be beard the German call Higgins an Irish son
ola - the Germans came across the road and higgins
replied that the German was son II - the Ger
n an th,n up towards Higgins, aud Higgins then
stuck OF bin with the cane.
James iiousmsn. being sworn deposed that he tn.
l1fentr Higgins running on the dey In question: down
We mn ana saw The Germans throw stones after him,
ana tet dog 81 him on going down the hill Higgins
ohe0 on TIE veIhaD ana they both ciinched and both
tel together, depchent then saw another man whom be
s .,sI tn5wi eone W With cane In hts hand, aud
s.ss ,he LEHMAN IN oonfic; with Higgins, blow
we eye ctponent cid not any injury the face OF
s otrman previous 10 The blow given with the cane
Inc case was nov elossd both sides. The couasel
for the defence addressed the Jury coptenain that the
evidence seduced before them went TO shos that the
prisoner wac end,ayoring 20 escape from the German
end was merely acting on the defentiye
Mr.. Wright, the state Attorney summed nm for the /
people, although briefly but 10 the point at issue and
cOnc utyey explained TO the jury that by the testi
mony q the witnesi, Collins for the defence was sy
dent that Higgins me- de the first attack the German
AZ also the declaration made 10 the Esv ~ ana
h. tla urter hon la rac
cusyey that his intentions fclonious towards the
0tfman
The Chief Justice then charged TIE jury on the evi.
dsuce and the law governing the and submitted "
20 their ccnsideratiop The iury without leaving their
seats IrcnoUIced verdist Of guty e. charg d 10 the
.rdirtEent
The prisoner then rsmanded 10 ol e. sentence.