The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-11-27
THE NEVILLE MYSTERY.
Tina Ceroner's Observation-Disclosures Eli
cited Relative tho Matter.

Tina Ceroncr's estigatiou-TestmOny Eli
cited Relative 20 tho Matter.
The inquest to investigate into the Of the death
Of the late Mr. Edward Neville proprietor Of the Kings
County Hotel resumed yesterday, at 10 O'Clock at
the Henry Clay House. Of South Seventh street
and Durham place, Williamsburg, before Coroner Han
ford and jury The following is the evdence:-
Bernard Launston, sworn-I reside at the corner of
Nineteenth street and Third avenue Brooklyn; Satur-
day morning, at half past o'cosk, down to
dead body lying the shore between Nineteenth and
Twentieth Streets went home told wife went out
Of the house and officer Van Nosrand aning near
by on the Third avenues told Van Nostrsud that had
found dead body, and we both to the shore he
told the body must be left there without touching;
he then told me could make fifty cents by going to
Coroner BENEFITS; vent and told Coroner Bennett
about the body the Coroner told me 90 home again
and be where the body when he came down.
coming, and II he paid me the ffy cents; said he had
not paid me but would when he down to hold the
inquest ] then went home 70 get my break
fast, and when l had been there few minutes
officer Van Nostrand came to my house and handed
fifty cents to my wife after breakfast l went
down sgain and found that the body had
about three ysros from where found it; the Coroner
came from the City Hall and took possession of the body;
the body vas laying face downward in the when
first it, in about inches of water did not touch
the body myself; when returned from notifying the Co.
the body laying face upward; Officer Van Nos
tand was with the body alone wher went after Coroner
Bennett was absent for him about two hours.
Dr. Ernest kracsowizsr sworn--i am physician and
of Edward Neville at the dead.house the oath Instant
the body WAS in very good state of preservation the
mark of violence the skin, the skin the chest
and the upper art Of the stomach slightly dscoored
from decomposition there loss of substance the
head and back Of both hands, the loss of substance
each hand was about equal; part of the sinews
wanting those parts Of tb snews that ef looked
If torn the first joint Of the middle finger the rignt
handay OPEN the CART age of the joint natural the
edges of the skin surrounding The loss of substance
sharp; the cutice OF the skin Of the face was
sole Of N pf
brownh red with irregular bruises indenta
tons: there was nothing left OF the beside the
nasal bones bare, but intact; the eyeliis were in
great part preserved; the eyebals were partly do
the gums and the cutice Of the bones of the upper
and lower jaws were wanting the teeth loose;
there we're two front teeth in the upper jaw wanting
the edges Of the cell Of the teeth intact the scalp
was from The whole forehead and the front Of the
bone was bar the waist OF the scalp hanging loose
Iy on the SKULL the cuice of the bone wanting on
those places where the scalp loose the SCALP was
xed 70 the skull by its naurs son the back part
of the head; there was no suuson of blood
the temple muscles and the muscles of the neck were
natural the larger veins behind the filled with
completely liquid blood; there nowhere fracture
OF the skull the smallest sure be found
OF the scalp that hung loosely looked similar to the skin
Of the face the skin Of the mostly wanting
that the cartilage lay bare, rs if eaten Off
q. Could there have been any ternal volenceY A.
there had feen none on the patts that wanting,
for the parts wanting upon tho scalp and hands by
chatting against hard ,stance while the water
there could have been blow the frontal bone that
would have stunned him without leaving any mark on
the bone.
@. Could there have been blow sufficient to cause
DEATH A. No, sir; am positive Of his having been
drowned from the fact that the blood not coagula
in the veins the whole frontal bone bare with the
exception of small strip running down the centre to the
eyebrows 1t my opaion tina he was drowned; there
had been no confusion of that portion Of the scalp remain
ing previous 10 death suppose the missing teeth had
fallen out made diere mt ncsons about the face and
skull witt knife did not open the body skull,
because frew you'd CLEAN new facts to give a
different oIinion from what had; removed the scalp
down TO the muscles Of the neck line with the mid
ole of the ear; the muscles Of the neck natural
the marks of discooraton Of he cbes. extended up t,
the neck believe the teeth in their cells when he
came into the water.
@ By Juror-Did understand you to FAY that he
might have received blow that stunned him, and while
In that state he have been thrown iato the waer2
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Providing Mr. Neville had been overcome in n scuE
fe by sack thrown over him otherwise would there
have been any marhss A. II he powerful man do
vidng scufe had taken Place without leaving some
msiks he had the free ire q hi limbs il had disc
cred any signs OF apopiexy ! Would not have known
oss OF the teeth could not have been caused by bio
there il posi- y thai there might have been bl,
&ncw; 1t is anatomical fact that is easier break
the nasal hone than TO detsch the carthage; other
part OF the bcoy swollen except the chest and neck
should think the body in the water about three
weeks bo' will float decom position sets in.
Richard Harrison sworn-I reside at No. 40 South
Fourth street at he corner Of South Seventh and
First streets tue morni of the 9th OF November at
shout twenty minutes before O'Clock; Mr. Neville
standing In front Of his hotel in First street. looking
toward the ferry calculated about twenty min
u4s going home and the clock struck two reached
there have known Mr. Neville about eleven wears: am
positive was sir. Neville / saw standing on the walk
alone looking toward the ferry, as passed by him. did
not speak to him; LETT the New York side about IL
O'Clock VIM Freestone pilot of the boat there
three the boat that on they went up
South Seventh street before me.
Brian Whalen sworn-I reside at the Kings County
Hotel, ard am cmpl yed as a c,achman the night
previous to Mr. Nesiiies beng missed was to go out
to what time it was aud Mr. Neville at the door;
asked him what time il was; he took his watch, and
being dark We walked t. the lamp post AND he said it
was ordered said Two O'clock and he merely
replied "two turned walked back into the sta.
be this was on First street that the last Of
him returned from the call that had at four O'clock
went t. South Eighth street. the next morning about
eight O'Clock the Of the stable the bartender
came tn my bed, and asked me II raw Mr. Neville be-
fore went out; told them did they said he was miss
ing; when asked Mr. Neville What time 1t WAS had
black coat and white hat; the bar closed up
Mr. Neville appeared the usual, there four
carriages out that night harnessed the horses and
he WAS no. in sight then; did nut hear any unusual
nose about that night could have heard any scuiing
the walk was sitting by stove the entrance
on First street before attending the CALI the stable runs
through TO Durham place.
Sixth and First streets am fireman on the Peck slip
boats; duty the 0neota the morning Of the
9th inst; bad known Mr. Neville about fifteen six
teen years; think saw him on board the b's on tbs
New York side; this was at two O'clock when we left
that side; and perhaps two minutes before
him standing the bridge leaning on the rail
In the gangwy leading to the closet Mr.. Neville passed
in tie opposite side from me- cid not notice whether
not he went into the cabin the deck hand said he
wondered what M Neville was doing out 30 late; this
what called my attention to him. just the boat
was about TO start shut off the from the
then went down below; did not anything of Mr.
Neville and did see him aboard when the deck hand
called my attention to Mr. Neville, he standing
me on the bridge he was ping the rail ALSO there
were lamps burning at the gate and one lamp st each
side the end OF the bridge old not speak to Mr. Ne
VILE and therefore cannot be positive that it was him.
but thought IL him; afer the bost started went
down below; while making the return trip from
williamsburg the deck hand, Norris, below and
asked IL raw Neville 60 Ashore the New York side
told Norris that did not left the Williamsburg side
side At two O'Clock; Mr.. Neville in on the New
York SIDE he stepped TO the ferry to pay his
fare, but there no ferry master on that side.
James Norris, sworn- reside at No. 10 Monroe place.
know Mr.. Neville by sight; have known him for three