The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-11-14

EXAMINATION or JOHN y. H0LNEs, CHARGED WITH
THE hANsLAUGHTER OF POLICEMAN oOuRLEY.

EXAMINATION OF JOHN .. HOLMES, CHARGED WITH
THE hANsLAUGHrER OF POLICEMAN 00URLEY
Yesterday Coroner Hilton proceeded to the City Prison
and examined John B. Holmes, charged with having
killed ooer David sourley, Of the First ward police
while the deceased in the performance OF his duty
when the following answers made to the usual
questions Put to the prisoner prescribed by law
John B. Holmes. being duly examined before the un
derssned according law, on the annexed charge and
all any questions put TO him, states as follows
Question. What is your manner
Answer-John B. Holmes
Question-How old your
Question-where were you born9
ADswer-Island of Nautilus, India.
Question-Where do you live?
Answer-53 Greenwich street.
Queston-whatis your occupation"
Answer-Civil engineer
Question-have you anything to say, and IL So what
relative to the charge here preferred against your
believe that God created Free and that earthly
power had right for moment TO deprive me Of my
defend both when assale that on tina, night when re
turning home from the procession, and within few
PAGES Of my door, heard alteration at the hall
door OF No So went across and was just in time to
see Shcehans club raised apparently to strike Coils
the bare head; knowing that was instrumental in
ing his club requesting him, for Gods sake, not
to strike the man the bare head" He turned around
and said, '9r Holmes, don't interfere with in the
stepped back into the street, saying "If the has
done anything wrong would rather assist you but
see no necessity Of your hitting the man" Gourey
think Sheehan would have acted he did if he had not
been drinking In few minutes after Coils disap
said, .rn sec you Tor this in the morning Both pc
csmen rum at him saying this and caught hold of him
He seemed inclined to resist. then said To him. Jim
go on; win make charge against them in the morn
ing" He then went ON quietly with them then
into Aoloney's to ask the origin of the row.
think were there about twenty minutes. Their
were others with me. We camc out, and were talking
about the matter when heard steps coming down the
lamp that they were the two policemen then said t.
my friend, syou had better 60 home, it is evident
just time to say 'good night when heard sheehan's
voice say, There's Holmes; let take attack him.
did not think that they would dare do such thing
something like it. replied, Yon shan't me-
have done nothing wrong; if have, you know who
on the street towards my own house. While doing
said to them "You shsn't deprive Of my liberty"
stu trying to keep them Of with my hands sheehan
care of you for the election, you damn son Of
struck blow with his club upon my left shoulder
this made me reel the street pace two; Gourley
was at my face, but it struck me my chest, imme
diately under my throat persisted in saying, II would
not go-that was freeman and not to be deprived Of
CT you WILL dead alive" at the same time raising
himself up with all his force, and striking heavy
blow the head; this is the blow that my head
standing to the left Of me- receiving this blow
sudden thought passed through my brain. but it now
with me; don't recoilect anything after this until
stabbed him not my'mnd was in a confused state;
don't know what occurred after the second thought
certain did not stab any one before received the
Taken Nov 13, 1854 j. HIrroN Coroner.