New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-02-02
THE LATE Fatal STABBING CASE ~ HAN
LTONSTREET

INQUEST BY THE CoRONER-THB MURDERER AT LARGE.
Coroner Hilton yesterday held inquest at the New
Hospital upon the body Of Goo w Fields but generally
known in the city as Peter Williams who died from the
effects Of wound inflicted with dirk knife the night
of the 23d ult by sailor named Murphy, while at the
boarding house Of VIM. s Harris, No l6l Hamilton st
The evidence shows that the deed perpeaed without
the least provocaton The murderer was last seen on
Saturday evening but has not been arrested The follow
ing is the testimony adduced before the Coroner.
Christopher FOwle sworn, says-I reside with Mr. Har
rs at No l6J Hamilton st, and am seaman on Tuesday
of last week was sitting in the bar room at clock M
with the deceased and man named Murphy, sailor an
other person in the asleep upon sofa no com
muncatiOn passed between Murphy was the last man
that had entered the he did not seem TO be inOX
Gated and seemed to be in good health he sat about ten
minutes when he took from inside pocket dirk KNIFE
and stabbedthe deceased in the breast the latter instant
ly arose from his seat and for an entry door crying
Murder I'm stabbed Murphy pursued him when De
ceased turned and kicked him twice under the chin de-
ceased then up stairs while he was behind the coun
ter Murphy made three more stabs at HIM was AFRAID
of nv life and ran into the street the man who lay upon
the sofa woke up and followed me Mr. Harris was not
at home at the time; The deceased boarded with Mr.
Swan in Front ST. and another man helped him home
he walked the ind did not bleed much he was weak
and we gave him glass Of brandy before starting de-
ceased and Murphy came into the barroom together ana
am sure that no words passed between them there after
deceased stabbed he told that nothing had passed
between himself and Murphy, and he knew of no reason
for the act last Saturday night two boys the bar
when Murphy came in; his left hand was covered with
fresh blood and white rag wrapped around II as
soon as he came in into the street he followed me
ran ard Caharne ST. he went toward Market ST. he
did not speak he had cap and an overcoat such
as is worn by L. S soldiers he seemed to me to look
wild
VIM S Harris, sworn, says Murphy boarded with me
at No TO- HamltoRst he came TO this port in the L 5
storeshp Relief he was ahard drinking man. and should
Judge reckless man he had been with me eight days
when he stabbed deceased
The rest Of the evidence taken Of but slight import
ance The then given to the jury who rendered
the following verdict
I'VE find that George W. Fields the deceased came to
his death by stab from dirk, in the hands of man call
ing himself Murphy"
The deceased was native of Dorchester Mass and
only Is years Of age lie is said TO have been OF temper
ate habits and of remarkably good disposition The muir
derer supposed have gone to sea He about 20 years
of age FIVE feet four inches in hight has pale face slight
" frecked light brown hair and large scar on the right
side of his neck and another in front of his ear He was
dressed in blue pants much large for him with large
black patch the right leg pilot cloth sack coat spotted
calico shirt red comforter glazed cap and coarse boots lie
had ring tattooed each Of the fingers of his left hand
one on his breast and one on each of his feet