New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-08-05
THE MURDER or JAMES HIGGLNS-CORO
NER'S INVESTIGATION

Coroner Ball Of Brooklyn, in the absence of Coroner
lenord commenced investigation yesterday 10 ascer.
tam the facts relative TO the murder of james Higgins
VINO died on Tuesday les by kicks in the lower part Of
the abdomen received between and oolock on Sunday
morning last in fight which occurred in Tenth-si near
North Secondst, Wiliamsburgh, in which some twelve
or fifteen persons engaged. The following facts were
elected from the witnesses:
Hugh Higgins, brother Of deceased testified that he
went into f. Swifts house kept by Hugh Gallagher in
North secondst., near Tenth shortly after clock on
Sunday evening; found there his brother Jas Higgins
Barney Harmon, Peter McMannus Wa. Tiffany Nike
Mcfargn, Peter Clark, Finn, Hugh Gallagher bar.
tender, and others whose names be did not know. The
whole party remained there drinking playing cards and
dominoes until between and o'clock the afternoon:
there was no dispute quarrelng in the house witness
drank brandy twice and glass of porter in this house
ana glass OF beer previous deceased his brother drank
several times, and little intoxicated witness his
brother Barney Harmon, and Peter McMannus left the
3use Ifst Tor home witness said got out Tenthst.
when Peter Clark and the of the party twelve or
fourteen in all come after Peter Clark said he could
peat the best man there and that he would beat my
brother told Clark that deceased was ny brother and
that be should not whip him; Mike McFargn said he
could whip the next best the disturbance got party
settled and started for home; got about half block
when Peter Clark, Mike McFargin, Flynn and
about ten others followed after and said they would whip
us, and attacked Pete Clark and Nike McFargn were
the ringeader; these two struck the first blows my
brother the first struck by Pete Clark; fight
commenced and the others came to their assistance they
beat my brother and myself, and then left US; Hannah
and Ioggary assisted me to get my brother home where
be was attended by DR.. Brady-Dr Garue refusing to ct
tend him; my brother complained of pain in the lower
part of his stomach. Witness here requested 10 point
out any person in the who present He pointed
Patrick Clark, who not present Peter Clark
pointed cut but witness could not testify that he
present. UtaesS-It Pete Clark who first sruckmy
brother.
Dr. J. A. Brady testified that he was called on the
Sunday morning alluded TO, to see james Higgins and
found him sinking from injuries in his prvates he attend
ed him until Tuesday, when be died; made port m0rtem
examination, and asceaned that death caused from
those Duries.
VIM Eagerly testified that he at Swift house
Saturday night last there until about - clock
Sunday morning the parties in question went out and IN
a few minutes after he heard there fight in the
street. witness and Gallagher went out and found the
fighting in TeDthet witness caught hold of the two
Hggnses, and pushed them, feminist. toward
home; he then returned TO the other party TO
get them off the other way; he said ! got hold
of Mike McFargin and Pete Clark when de-
ceased james Higgins up and struck McFargn on
the under lip with stone McFargin turned upon de-
ceased and they got fighting; Hugh Higgins came up
within about three yards and said he could whip any
body there; he stopped down as | suppose TO
pick up stone; | stepped back ana the men all got
mixed into the fight the fight lasted two three minutes
and they stopped of their accord; Pete McMannus
was Wing the sidewalk, injured assisted him 10 the
pump; Hugh and james Higgins came to the pump;
Jane seemed 10 be injured badly. and could not
straighten up: helped him home and then went after
Doctor: did OF see Patrick Clark there that night
Coroner Ball-IiaVe you since heard any say what
was the cause of the disturbance
Al have heard that il a girl who had James
Higgins whipped.
Q.-Who told you this
A-Katc Fitzpatrick told me this, and said that de-
ceased had invited girl name not given to go on the
Catholic picnic which took place last week and the day
arriving he did not call for her and this he understood
was the cause Of the fight.
The investigation was further postponed until Tuesday