The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-11-07
THE FIRST WARD HOMICIDE.
Coroner's Inquest upon the Body OF David
Gourley, the Policeman, Killed while In
the Discharge or his Duty.


Yesterday Coroner Hilton summoned to the New
York Hospital TO hold inquest upon the body Of David
Gourley, the First ward policeman, who fatally
stabbed Friday right while in the discharge Of his
duty, by John b Holmes The wherein the inqui
sitian was held crowded to sufocation with the
friends Of the prisoner and those Of the deceased Tho
wife daughter of the prisoner also present and
manifested their pain for his situation by loud
sobbing and wailing. Anthony Blocker also pre-
sent with the prisoner, well his counsel Jonas B.
Phillips, Esq great deal of delay was encountered in
the empannement Of the jury Of those brought in
for that purpose being either acquainted with the
ties interested non-residents Of the city However
about IL O'Clock the deputy Dr. Chaseney
ceeded in getting the required number iurymeu when
the following gentlemen were then sworn jurors
upon the
James Upton 243 William. W. b. fdeson, 40 Anthony
B: Camp6le 10! E lith C Inghsn,, 50 Leonard.
John A. Lalan, loe Duane. w. H. Stout, 2l2 wooster.
TESTIMONY OF MRS. COLLINS.
The first witness put upon the stand was Ellen Collins
who being duly sworn deposed and said-I live at No
% Greenwich street; know John g. Holmes, the pr-
soner; did not know the deceased the prisoner lived in
the same house with me- he occupies the second floor;
he has got family; was home on Friday evening" I
lat the Circus, and got home late in the evening,
left before the performances were and came home
could not what hour arrived at my residence, but
it was after nine O'Clock OF that certain occupy
the first floor came home alone. and after had been
there some time gentleman came into my and
said my husband, Mr. Collins would not be home until
ate business prevented him from being there early
not long after this went to the front window and
raising the same heard noise in the street and
Dir Holiness but previous to which small crowd
Of persons opposite the door Of the house the way
(house No. 5 saw Mr. Holmes coming from the crowd
across tile street towards his house. followed by
persons; when lie got the stoop think heard him
say, y have now got on my own PREMISES do not
know who followed him, and cannot tell how many per-
there following him; could not say whether
he walked or ran across the street. did not take
ticnlar notice whether he seemedto be in hurry not
heard him say something, but could not remember
what he did say: he spoke to that appeared to
to be an officer Mr. Boyd who with me in the house
joined Mr.. Holmes on the stoop and think crossed
to the opposite side Of the street with him. met
Mrs Holmes wife of the prisoner and asked her il her
husband had got in feared there would be a row;
then ran back out of the hall into back room and
know nothing further about what happened in the
street; when was in the back room heard voice and
saw man rush into the hall; was excited can
member but very little Of what took place. persons
knocked the hat stand down and made great noise;
saw some man running up stairs pursued BY an oncer
and other persons; then heard that man had been
they came in ! said there person in my room;
they searched the closets but found one; very
much scared and commenced crying; Mr. Boyd tried to
pacify me; think Mr. Boyd saw more of the occurrence
than did, he lives at No 10 Washington street. know
nothing about the affair; excited at the
time had conversation with any that witnessed
the occurrence.
CrossexaEined by counsel for the prisoner went
up stairs afterwards to Mr.. Holmes apartments and
the prisoner there; he lying his back and
thought he dying; saw the blood flowing from his
head; was so scared did not go near him; there was
in MIR. Holmes apartment at the time O. Was the
physician allowed to dress his wonndss A. went down
stairs after this and cannot say whether they did
not q What condition was he brought down stairs ing
A. To my best recollection think he taken out by
the head and s" heels Had he any coat hat Of boots
Their was very disagrceabe but could not whether
was raining then mott could not say what time he
was taken from the house, but think 1t after ~
o'clock the prisoners family consists Of wife, daugh-
ter and mother; his business is that Of surveyor.
Robert s Collins being duly sworn deposed and said
The last witness is my wife; got home about two
O'Clock A. NJ. that night and therefore, know
thing OF the occurrence, except what learned from
general conversation around the streets
Crossexamined--f went to the station house that
night did not see the prisoner there; have not
him since until saw him here this morning.
TESTIMONY OF OFFICER sHEEuAN.
Officer Michael Sheehan being duly sworn deposed and
said officer Of the First ward police; about ten
minutes before IL O'Clock Friday night was the
Of Morris and Greenwich street duty when on
Gourley to from Rector street and asked
what time II was looked at my watch and told him
il ten minutes to twelve deceased said there will
be relief stood there talking for about three
four minutes when heard disturbance up the street.
and what it s and with that he started to there
he had hardly time to be away than minute when
he whstled for me- went quick as could and when
got there he in conversation with gentleman in
ront If the hall door No So do not know who this
deceased advising him to to bed but this person
said he would not he would do he pleased witness
then addressed this who grossly intoxicated and
xced and and advised him to so stairs
and be sti; his wife, supposed then came forward
and said that he had not DRINK drop for six months be-
fore and that ought to excuse him. told her would
and advised him to 60 in; this then turned around
and told he would what he could do he went up
stairs in hurry and returned with club or stick in his
hand almost Immediately afterwards: asked him what
he wanted with the club he said he wanted II to protect
himself from such wheps we were; at that instant
officer Gurley, the deceased, nabbed him by the neck
handkerchief and said he his prisoner; deceased
grasped him with his left hand; they had struggle
hold of the with my left hand, and by this time Mr.
Holmes the street. my back was turned to
him. but heard his voice; at this time some persons
knocked my hat of and trampled upon it; then took
hold of my club to protect brother officer, as was
afraid some one would hit him with the club this man
had brought down stairs, when Mr.. Holmes came be-
hind took hold of it, turned around and said to
Mr.. Holmes, "don't you know better than to rescue a
asked him to let CO. that he educated man, and
ought to know better than to rescue prisoner and he
the hall oslng with bis prisoner and two or three men
and some women; MFR. Holmes tried to pull my club
away from me- and was obliged to let go my hold Of
club away from him. FRAN towards the hall to assist the
deceased when he met and said that they had cut
the handkerchief that he had hold Of the prisoner with
that they rescued him. and that he went stairs when
deceased got the walk, he spoke to Mr.. Holiness and
said "You have rescued my prisoner and will you
got the walk abused BY one OF the party who
grossly intoxicated pushed him, and he fell into
the gutter; then arrested him. and took him to the
station house; Mr.. Holmes called me 'son Of D."
and said he had got the police, and that he would
brea.me when got to the station house this man was
detained for being drunk and dsorderly deceased went
with the station house. way back deceased
said he was bound have his rescued prisoner, and
would knock for his side partners Of the section for as
sistance, and he did SO; when We got opposite 90
Greenwich street there crowd there, and
I saw Mr.. Holmes there; he standing in the
opposite the door, with his hands in his pockets
accompanied by gentlemen, each side OF him.
Holmes addressed himself to u.s. calling "a pretty set
OF suckers, something to that effect; he MAS very
noisy and told Alderman Brown who was standing
there that Holmes had rescued prisoner; officer
Gourly then came towards Mr.. Holmes, and said you
have rescued my prisoner and you must come to the
station house, the moment the deceased put his hand
Holmes shoulder, he sprung back towards his house.
and scuae ensued; followed them and saw no blows
given; / followed them up and found them standing
face face the deceased having hold Of Holiness got
around the other side Of Holmes to the side Of the de-
ceased, when Holmes sprung around and deceased i'm
mediately fell down. saying, Mke he has stabbed me-
I anu dead:, saw A dirk knife in Holiness hand; can.