New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-11-01
THE LATE HOMICIDE IN THE FOURTH
WARD.
INQUEST BY CORONER HILTON.


Coroner Hilton yesterday held an nques. at the
n. \. Hospital upon the bedy of William Tree who
on Monday night was fatally stabbed at the sailors
boarding. house, No. lol Jsass-st., while in eight
with sailor named William Matthews The principal
witness was Edward Sinclsir who deposed that he
boarded with Charles Casman al No. lol Janes-st.;
that the deceased and Matthews slso boarded there
snd had done so since Thursday last. They had been
intoxicated every day since they came bat seemed to
behave in friendly manner toward each other
until MONDAY evening, when, as he was coming
down stairs from the third story he heard noise in
the street, and Jaw Mr. Casman and several Of the
boarders run toward the front door. The deceased
and the prisoner scufiDg together on the side
walk. The prisoner MattheT VS. threw deceased down
ard be fell into the gutter and while there the prisoner
put bis feet his hands and neck and tried to keep
bin down. Deceased cried out, 8 Hold on uatil get
"my coat of" He was then allowed to get up, and
both weIt into the ber-room the deceased all the
time using harsh language toward the prisoner, and
talking very loud. The latter then with his left hand
caught him by the cravat and deceased cried
cried out, Don't choke me" He then attempted to
strike the prisoner but was prevented by Mr.. Cas-
man, but soon got opportunity and struck him three
times with bis fst; Mr. {. again ntefered and sat
deceased down In chair, and while there he called
prisoner liar he then got up and went toward prs-
if TO strike him. and Mr. G. tried TO separate
them but the prisoner drew dirk or jack knife with
with bis right hand while he held deceased with his
let hand and though deceased upon seeing the knife
tried to get away be made blow at him with the
knife AND the blade entered the hand Of Mr. c., who
trying to separate them; Mr. c. then went away,
end the prisoner who sill had hold of deceased,
stabbed him twice in the breast; witness then went
for the police, and in about two minutes returned
with two who arrested fhe prisoner and caused de-
ceased to be taken to the Hospital. Upon cross ex
animation the witness stated that he did not the
prisoner offer TO strike deceased until after he had
first been struck; the deceased by far the more
violent of the twO and after he had struck the prs
oner three heavy blows in the face the latter did not
attempt TO strike back, and seemed to want to avoid
an encounter up to that time; the deceased was
larger than the prisoner and very abusive to
him.
The evidence of several others who were present
during the alteration was TAKEN and corroborated
that Of the first witness. The medical testimony
showed that when deceased arrived at the Hospital
life was extinct The jury rendered the folio wing
verdict: "That deceased came TO his death by
"stab from knife in the hands Of William Mat
"thews." Upon the rendition Of the verdict the
prisoner was committed to await the action OF the
Grad jury and the witnesses were required to give
bail for their appearance when wanted to testify:
The deceased was a native of England, 80 years OF
age, and sailor by profession.