The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-12-07
The Williamsburg Election Riot.
EXAMINATION OF OLIVER LEE.


The examination OF Oliver Lee arrested on charge Of
causing the death Of VIM Henry Harrison, at the late
election riot in the Fourteenth ward took place yescr
day before Mayor Wall and Justice Boswell Philip S.
Crooke and Mr. Iapaugh appeared for the prisoner Lee
pleaded not guilty to the charge. Three witnesses
the part Of the prosecution we're examined after which
Lee committed TO the county jail 70 await trial
the charge Of granddaughter. The following was the
testimony taken
Thomas Hayden sworn--I live in North Seventh
street spar maker recollect the officially tina
occurred the eth Of November 1854 have known the
defendant for about siN or seven years have known
VIM. II. Harrison about six months: up at Batter
mans when the bell struck, and do wn; went up
Second street toward the polls; crowd running
from North Fifth street down Second street toward
Grand they had short locust clubs another crowd
pursuing them some having clubs; went towards
Grand street, when an old man came up and snap
ped pistol at me- started to run, when saw VIM.
II. Harrison fail four or five persons hit him at
the same time, with sticks clubs, &c when he
fell up, showed them away, aud got his head be-
tween my legs to him. do not think any hit
him than once he received all the blows his
head; could not recognize any but Oliver Lee he
broke it about two feet long and looked like pine
stick cannot say whether anything said before the
rison standing up at the time; his head little
cut about three minutes after he spoke and asked to
get his hat, there papers in it; stood him up
the OF North Fifth Second streets minute
then assisted to take him upNorth Fifth street
Pierson Brown swornl reside at No. 40 North Second
street CRATE and fender maker: in Second
street between North Fifth and North Sixth streets
the 18th day of November, between / and o'clock saw
. crowd Of from three hundred to i've hundred people
down Second street; there two parties
tending and beating each other several beating
old man and moved mp towards him; heard person
say kill him; he passed by another person named
Wilson knocked down near me; next saw VIM.
Henry Harrison at this time the street nearly solid
with a mob when him he from four t. six
feet from the sidewalk defending himself Eve six per-
directing blows at him with clubs did not
know any persons that then attacking him. he got
in the gutter the sidewalk, where I him
ceive blow with club and he dropped down his
back; went up to him, when q man attempted 70 jump
on Ii III, which l prevented Harrison said ''You have
done enough did not Oliver Lee and did not know
bin; was in the act Of raising Harrison up when Smith
received blow then left Harrison and paid attention
to Smith did not recognise any one.
Edward f. Brown sworn--I have Oliver lee
frequently; VIM. II. Harrison and Smith together;
bad not seen AaP minute before Smith hit with
a club; this between IL aud O'Clock; up to
before, looked and Harrison his hands and
with a club.
The defendants counsel admitted that Harrison
died the effects of blows received the day afore
said.
Lee was then examined Tie said--My name is Oliver
Lee; 20 years of age; born in Ireland and live
with my father in Fourth street butcher net
guilty OF the charge preferred against me.
Lee then committed to the county Jail TO await
trial the charge of manslaughter there evil
dence that the deed premeditated
Lee stands six feet two inches in height Daring the
examination he appeared 10 be 10 good humor and per
fectly Is TO the result.