The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-11-18
TINE WILLIAMSBURG ELECTION RIOT.
the Investigation by tho Coroner.
VERDICT OF THE JURY.
TWENTY-FIVE Persons Implicated
N-~.<~oS-~~~~~>e-~~0>e-o-N~
FLIGHT OF The RIoTERg.
&c, &c, 30.

The Coroner's investigation, which has been pro
crossing Ter the past days. concerning the death
VIM Henry Harrison and John H. Smith, who lost their
lives in the Williamsburg election riot, was concluded
last night at twelve O'Clock at which time the verdict
rendered. Oliver Lee Is found guilty, as principal,
Of the murder OF Harrison, and Thomas Newman and
an unknown person. murder Of smith, and twenty
two persons are found guilty accessories.
The following testimony taken before the Coro-
THURSDAY, Nov. 0, 1854.
Dr. c. H. Schapps sworn was called 10 attend VIM.
II Harrison Tuesday last tho It'll inst between two
and three O'Clock, think found him suffering from com
preston of the brain; examining, found extensive
wounds of the scalp anu fracture OF the skull radtna
in many directions from the CENTRE but without any dis
placement OF the bones found other injuries about
The body the immediate ca use of his death was occa
stoned by efusion OF blood the brain, caused By
the blow that he had received on the head.
Charles Silkworth sworn-I at the drst district
Fourteenth ward polls Tuesday last between
aad eight O'clock A. NJ told the polls had been open
about fifteen minutes the first riot occurred between
the time got there and two hours afterwards, winch
was cccasioned by the arrest OF man who was chal
lenged and refused in his vote said being
arrested Il believe) by Vincent NJ Mann there an
attempt to rescue him by parties unknown TO me by
name think can identify some Of the parties when I
see them; order after restored far
know: acted there simply challenger at the time
Of this Istayed by the polls; the disturbance
occurred about ~ o'clock il occurred by challeng
ing voters some parties said that was not resident
of the ward and asked me 10 vote; told them would
vote when got ready appealed to OF the inspec-
tors, named James Nudge who told them that lived in
parties 10 .haul him out - policeman there
at the time; when the shout raised these parties
made rush for me, was struck and beaten and
rounded all sides; got out of the room; had
pistol ia my pocket at the time, which had been given
to me that morning. do not know whether 1t loaded
not; drew IL from pocket after dragged out
but it taken from and that the last recol-
ect as received blow on the temple, which rendered
iusensible this before the fire bell rang Mr..
Nudge. g.
hind the barrier erected to protect the polls.
William II. Clinch sworn-I reside at No 2l4 South
Second street; at the polls Of the Fourteenth
ward on Tuesday last, between and O'Clock p. NJ at
the time Of the disturbance stood the sidewalk
Americans attempt to get into the vote the
crowd would not let Them they appeared to be ishmen
some Of this crowd, an lrshman demanded to see
the inside Of one mans ticket and would not let him go
in to vote in consequence Of his refusal the accord
ingy went away without voting; this about ten mi
nntes before the bell struck the next saw the de-
putes trying to clear entrance to the pols they
resisted; the first blow struck came out Of
the yard adjoining the polls with hoe and struck
person with it do not knowthe person he hit did not
the deputies their clubs previous to this shortly
after saw persons using spades shovels hoes clubs
barrel slaves &C; the first blow struck by the
with the hoe the hoes and shoves were used by the
Irish upon the deputies saw two in this crowd knew
they both fighting, and think Mc0ue had staye,
and the other using his fist; should judge there
three four hundred rshmen present the time
of the disturbance do not know Alderman Linsky;
picked young during tho riot that works for J.
Holt, who lying senseless, and carried him
the got him into First before he recovered
his senses afterwards placed him in charge Of his
friends; Iishman with red head and red shirt
that had been drunk around the polls, together with
three Others beating in the gutter, who lay ap
parenty senseless the red headed lrshman about
FIVE feet six inches tall and stout built heard pistol
shot
O. BY Jurcr-what did you 60 there for? A. had
heard of previous riot and went there out Of
curiosity; the polls completely in the hands of the
Irish at the time VIXEN first went there, the few depu
ties having been driven back.
Hrect-ihe polls were held at tue corner Of North
Sixth and Second streets, the northeast corner
picked up the young the west side of Second
street between North Fifth and North sixth streets the
man on the east side the street directly opposite,
whom the four men were beating of the impress sion
was deceased, (Wm Henry Harrson he was about mid
way of the block
street. at the First district polls Fourteenth ward
Tuesday last; there at the time Silkworth was
struck; o. Bren strike him with stave; heard
him called Michael OBricn; he struck Silkworth over
the head o Brep is under arrest; he is tine same
man that struck Silkworth that yesterday,
and heard him called Pagan was the ringeader in caus-
ing the attack Skwort was standing at the polls chai-
longing persons Pagan cried out, 'Put him out when
the crowd dragged him outside, where he was struck
with the stave; the crowded full-a Irish
men, with the exception OF two three Deputies 0Bren
arst cried out 'Put him out-he has been here all day
chslienging;' he was seconded by Pagan, who the
same time rush witlfdhe rest at Silkworth; did
not see Pagan have any weapon. ,,,,,
John B. King sworn-I reside at No. 81 North Fifth
street. at the polls between IL and o'clock Tues
day last, when the riot occurred; saw Michael o Bren
out TO put Slkworth out-he had been making noise
enough there-he had been challenging good
men,s votes Mr.. Mango deputy Sner,a r aissa
Down with the I'D heretics y OBrien
to the rear of Mango and Skworth, and, with
Silkworth saw others strike Slkwarth; the lrishmen
came up so fast with clubs stones &c. that had to
leave at the time the engines others beaten
BY the Irish with clubs shoveis &C.; old man,
particularly that they beating they struck him
with shevels and stones he was not Mr Harrison but
1.x.. a1xa ~Ixnx 1darU hQyi m
think light coat and hat; saw Al Irshmsn with red
hair and red shirt; he was beating man with club
about four feet long
Adjourned
g FRIDAY, Nov. 10 1854.
The Jury assembled again at O'Clock this morning.
Giles Smith svorn.-l reside At the corner OF Fourth
and North second streets inspector OF election
last Tuesday at the First district polls Of the
and dragged out OF ROOM re wAs ssau!ted by John
Lyons md others Skworth had committed no assaults
he vas attacked because he had challenged voters and
was badly beaten and dragged OUT this occurred about
fifteen minutes before the general riot there was no I'M
proper conduct the part Of che deputy shers IN the
ros where the polls held Policeman Bradley
in Seat Of the door while Silkworth was being beaten
did not him take any part in the ARRAY said ne wa,
not duty and soon after lett eit oeore the Den
was rang, and did not return.
Frederick A. Bennett sworn--I live at No. 81 Grand
street am one Of the Deputy sherls was present ..
called there by the ringing OF the bell when got there
found Lishmen srming themselves, by tearing down
fences splitting the boards for clubs and with axes
cav one man with q shovel, they assaulting the
Deputy Sherfs at the time the first thing saw, when
rot there was three Irshmen beating Alanson Hays
the head with clubs; endcAvored TO protect him; he
got clear of the crowd by my interference the next
saw was very tall, slim lrishman, with shovel at
tempting to stTke one of the Deputies proceeded to
project that Deputy, but knocked down BY being
struck with stone and beaten by several mon; have
been informed that while down Harrison lost his
life By endea voring to protect me. :
SteJhen Bingham sworn--I reside at No 3l2 Fourth
street was called the polls in tho Fourteenth ward by
the bell, and had been there previously before went
homo heard an Irishman about six feet two inches IN
height saying he wished to "sp the blood oil all the
ProJsstAnis or I'D Know Nothings' he had light or
sandy hair; his shirt sleeves, with hsts doubled
up; be had white shirt did not see him when re-
turned; al when got to the polls after the
bell rung; saw women throwing stones out OF the win
dows Of the houses in Second street. next to the house
In which the polls held
Tho investigation was resumed at the City Hall, on
Friday evening ut O'Clock.
John Iinsky sworn-i am an Alderman of the Second
ward Of the city Of Williamsburg present at the lat