The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-01-06
the EIGHTH WARD TRAGEDY,
Inquest upon the Body OF william O'Brlss,
shst by Joseph Hall on New Years Might.

YorL Hospital, upon the body Of William 0'Brsn, who
shot by Joseph Hall New Years night whl. in
the grocery store Of Grand and Laursus street
Tho prsonerwas 100 much ndisposed appear on tho
nquisitisn, but appeared by counsel The first witness
put upon the stand the mother OF Tire deceased.
Margaret o'Donnei, being duly sworn, deposed and
said-I reside at l62 Smith street. Brooklyn the do.
ceased, VIM o'Brien, my by my arst husband;
did not the deceased for several days previous to
his being injured the last time him previous 10
his being injured was In November last; he was q
painter, aud kept place az the Of Frankfort
and William streets did mol know any person named
Joseph Hall, although might have seen him; heard
OF the deceased being injured last Monday evening
about eleven o clock nj this time two came me
Il then living In Church street) and told mo that
my was injured and that he lying in the hos
ptal they told that the deceased had been shot
but don't recollect whether told who had shot
him not receiving the information Of my son u
injuries went to the hospital; arrived there about
twelve O'Clock; found the deceased there he
was breathing very heavily and moancd pretty bad; he
was, to the best Of my opinion, sensible
him. don't recollect he told me who had shot
ON last Wednesday he told me that he thought
he might get over IL he also said he wish.
20 ne ssa pen ana paper and would write to
Hall, but that he was the who had done him the
injury he also said he would give anything see Hall
told him that they could not hang Hall a. long as he
had nothing against him. deceased said he was afraid
they could hang him, and that he had nothing agant
him At this time he referred to the person who had
injured him deceased expressed good feeling wards
Hall, and did not want any harm TO como ~ him his
(deceaseds) account; did not hear him express. any
bad feeling towards the accused he quite sensible
at the time he said he did not thing done
to him. he talked great DEAL and shortly after this no
talked about Hall Wishing he could see him for while
his left him after this and did not hear
him say anything further about Hall; was wth<aim
all day on Wednesday up to about nfteen minutes be.
ing the next day after he injured asked him IL
he was angry with Hall and he said he not.
John OBrien, half brother OF the deceased sworn
lint npufn nl
he was not examined.
George W. Dean, being duly sworn, deposed-That he
lived at l0s Thompson street knew the deceased the
prisoner the of the latter Joseph Hall know
the deceased and the prisoner the very best
terms they always seemed 10 be like two brothers. thsy
were never separate, saw them about half hour be-
fore the occurrence, New Years evening" saw them
at the house No so Howard street II was In the neil
borhod Of O'Clock p. NJ; they seemed to be very
friendly together and perfectly sober they both
sat down, and had some meat TO eat Hall had diamond
breastpin In hs bosom and II he had been very ueh
toxcated would have taken II from him, TO take
Of IT, after partkng Of their meal this place
they got up and went out into the street o. you
member OF anything that conld have produced enmity
between them previous 10 the occurrence New Years
nightY A. do not they always took liberties with one
another just AZ two brothers would they extAor
dinarily good friendsI never such good friends
they always eat slept and drank together very
innate with both OF them, and had known them about
fifteen years 9. DO you know any causes either
religious otherwise, that would have produced
unusual excitement with either Of thcmg A.
cannot say that ! do, but think they In
week two before the occurrences Hall asked me 10 90
with him TO one OF the spiritual rappng circles; both
seemed to believe that the revelations exhibited there
we're true and wanted me 10 come with them 20 make
me believer, as used 10 maze fun OF their believing
In the science Hall told he could make tho table
and could hold comm unicaton with the spirits.
do not believe In the spiritual rappngs and ssays
pressed myself so 10 them q We're they enthusiastic
on the subject A. thought 40. O Which seemed the
most enthusiasticf A. Hail. for lac always willing
to attend the circles II he could get anybody TO 90 With
him.
Crosg-eramincd by counsel for the defcuce-The &C.
eused has been In my fathers employ about nine
years he kept my fathers shop Ia the year lsaa had
opportunities OF observing his conduct aud temper
G and very sa y %5hs o.
him than she did OF mo he good hearted and ever
ready TO do an act Of Kindness.
Officer Isaac L. Lent, Of the Eighth yard police being
duly sworn deposcd-That about twenty minutes past
o'clock on New Year. night was in the station house
when a from Mr.. Pitts store whose name IL Mey.
ers, 10 and asked me II the captain was Ia I
asked him what he wanted, and he would not tell me
told him the captain not In and that the IsutenaD
was then in charge Of the station house. he then i
that Mr. Pitt wanted mo; asked for what and he said
n would zee when got there went with him 70 the
Knocked at the side door In Grand street ana Mr. PITTS
brother opened II; Wien went In the deceased
lying on the hoor went up 10 him, and three
wounds on his person; In his breast and tho
other In his sie aud the other In the back took hold
Of him. and asked him what he had 10 say. he seemed
very sensible, but appeared very faint RAISED him up
and asked him II he felt very bad, and he said ayssJ
took hold Of his two hands to raise him up when hs
M.
don't want 10 have thing done with him ~ he made the
latter remark several times then he said he wanted b.
10 the At the time except Mr. Pitts brother aud my
gelf there was large pool 81 blood the floor which
understood came from the that had shot deceased
tins blood was near the hs door another on aud pat
him In the bier and took him 10 the New York Hospital
when got him inside the building he got out of the
bier himself and walked up 20 the bedside took OF
his clothes the doctor then In and deceased ask
him n he thought he would die the doctor SAID be ala
not think be would; IL about O'Clock when got
him 10 the hospital found I've barreed rsyolysd Ia
the store, can't way whether found II on the counter
not; don't think there any charge In Il at the
time bad the appearance Of having been recently d.
Charged the caps the nipples aud had been
Gently exploded when he asked the doctor the hosp
tai be thought be was going 70 die he said 70 him. hf
90 die don't want 10 have anything done 10 Ilaf de-
ceased meant that he DID want TO have Han punished
deceased also said There three balls my body
chs right of erosa. examination was waiyed.)
John Pitt being duly sworn, deposed--ThA, he resided
At No. 81 Grand street and Kept liquor ami grocery
store at the Of Grand andAurens sfseis kns.
both he deceased and the accused, have knOrn the
accused for eight or ten years have known O'Iirsn
the deceaed for two three years knov the dispos.
ton Of these men Joseph Hall the prsossr, Ia return.
ed Californian; have noticed frequently that be wns
At times aborng under hta Of nervous sxrt9Insnt hn
returned from California about three years ago AMI
since then have him nghty Al times aui gu such
Occas0ns bis precision ~ counienance strange and
frigbuul; these hs would last for minute or a. aud
tlen be would return 10 bis usual state o. mini biz
tura dtposiiion was very good Indeed bat EAd be-
fore, be subject u 81 ~ nervous enc teusnt he
was What might be called temperate man never $40
fm drunk, but he uar1 70 drink on Monday eVeNiuR
last about ~ O'Clock, came into the store, aud Jos
(HaH) introduced me 10 gentleman named RhAnsn
the deceased was also there With the prisoner ibsy
we're 10 all appearance perfect good terms rlih Que
another and we're sober Joe said 70 me, rhels ,hu
will you 20 10 the spiritual rappsr q night" " ga
not ask me 70 go 70 any place 70 particular be Aid -
you 70, viii pay your shot (fare aud you shall 49,
The old MAKE Bill Brian dance be insisted
that should 20 rith hin answered him AMI sid .
dh not believe In such things wouh NOT 20 be thea
asked my brother Frederick u be would 60 an4 he a
refused n the same grounds that dd Jo+ then sal
10 deceased where /. that dollar bill you picked Or 10
front OF Mr.. Goodw OBrieu the asoss eel, .aii
~ have got u, II IL lad luck ~ pay gu, money on
Monday. III give II 20 you Tomorrow Then
Conversation took place between them bat icing easy
I'D no. take any particular notice ~ shat was nd.
shils they we're thus talking 10 friendly manner ths
isW At the same time taking out two shilling piece
irun hls pocket Joe said, III 10 shHlinzs Bi "
Tho deceased sald, III IL two shinys hnd 90 more ~
the prlssnsr thsn said ,ssvsb OF neihny-i'D have