Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-09-29
t.rom Ih. UnIled sIalss Gazetle.
,rtleplars Of Tue pn,iaaelphla Murder.


Particulars Of the Philadelphia Murder.
One OF the most shoraing and atrocious
murders which have occurred in this city for
years past, was perpetratcd seine time during
Monday night, in Richard Thomas French and
German boarding house, No. 50 Dock street,
east side, below Second street. The victim is
a Frenchman, whose name could not be ascer-
tanned. We were informed by Mr.. Thomas that
TWO respectable looking and well dressed
Erenchmen called upon him on Monday even
ing, and asked if they could obtain lodgings for
the night. He replied in the affirmative and
conducted them 10 room on the third floor,
in the back part Of the building. Neither Of
the strangers could speak a word of English.
During the evening they loitered about the bar
room, and drank bottle of claret and two
glasses Of ale between them, which, together
with the lodgings, came to 81 SO, which they
paid. About 10 o'clock they retired to bed,
and nothing more was heard from them until
between 81 and Z o'clock yesterday morning,
when one of them came down stairs and or
dered breakfast for two persons, stating that he
was going out, and would return in about two
hours. The breakfast was prepared, but the
absent Frenchman never returned.
About halfpast three o'clock the chamber
maid Of the house entered the room for the pur-
pose Of making up the bed, when she saw a
man lying in it, with some blood about his head
on the bed clothes. She Immediately ran down
stairs and communicated the fact to Mr.. Thorn
as, the proprietor of the house, who went up to
the room and found one of the Frenchmen
who had taken lodgings on the previous night,
Dead with pool of blood about his head.
Mr.. 4. Immediately called in officers Riegle
and McCauley, of the day police, who also ax-
amined the room. The former officer called
upon Coroner Goldsmith and communicated
the facts of the case to him. That functionary
at once repaired to the hotel and impanneled
jury, who proceeded to the room and exam
ined the body. They found the deceased lying
upon his side in the bed, with wound on the
left temple which evidently had entered the
brain. 1t appeared as though dagger or
some other sharp instrument had been forcibly
driven into the head and screwed around, tear
ing and lacerating the brain in a dreadful
manner. There was considerable blood upon
the bed clothing, and from appearances the
murder was committed with little or no strug-
Cling, as no noise was heard in the room dur
ing the night
There was nothing found in the room, or
about the building, with which the murder
could have been perpetrated. The deceased
was about thirty years of age. His clothes,
consisted Of black coat, brown cloth pants
and light slippers. The missing Frenchman
was middle sized and good looking young
man, about thirty or thirty.two years Of age,
and dressed in black.
During the conversation which occurred in
the bar room, on Monday night, Mr.. Thomas
learned that they both arrived in New York
but few days ago, and had left that city in
the morning train tor Philadelphia.
Coroner Goldsmith adjourned the investiga-
ton over until ten o'clock this morning, when
a post morton examination of the body will be
made by Dr. Dufiee.
The following was the evidence elected be-
fore the coroner's Jury: h
Richard Thomas sworn-The deceased came
in about seven o'cicek last evening to take
lodgings for the night, with another man. they
said they came from France together and last
from New York; they drank two glasses OF ale
apiece, and bottle Divine. They asked for
room with two beds, and paid for everything be-
fore they went to beds; lit them to bed myself,
about ten o'clock About seven O'Clock this
morning one Of them came down stairs said
he would be back in about two hours, and |
wanted breakfast prepared. About quarter
after three o'clock Sarah Thomas, the servant
went up stairs and came down and told me
there was man dead in bed, and blood on the
pillow i found the man dead, and then went
for al officer. / heard no noise in the nights |
have not heard any one say they heard any
noise; did not notice the man when be left |
this morning he never returned. They said |
they had just arrived from New York last |
night. The man that went away paid me a |
81 bank bill, and two quarter dollars, last
night They had no baggage with them. The |
man that left was about feet 8, 80 years of |
age, brown complexion, very stout, full, flushed |
face, no whiskers, dark eyes and hair, spoke |
low and quietly; dressed in black; suit all |
black, and black hat He spoke English pref
ty good. He inquired of me about Camden
during a conversation of some time. 1t is |
usual for the girl to attend to the rooms in the |
afternoon. found the man with the pillow |
over bis face, and the bed cover thrown over it. |
The adjoining room was occupied by boarder. |
They asked me when they first came in what |
place this was, and how far they were from |
Philadelphia? / told them they were in |
Philadelphia now, and one asked me what
place that was on the opposite side ofthe river.
told him that was Camden. The deceased !
spoke imperfect English. !
Sarah Thomas tastifed m tho me e..