New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-02-02
THE HOMICIDE At THE BARKER HOUSE
INVESTIGATION BEFORE THE CORONER
AND JURY,

Coroner Reddng of Brooklyn commenced an inves
tgation yesterday into the cause of the death of Mi
chael Mclaughlin who killed in row at the
Barker House junction of Hamilton avenue and Union
street. on Thursday night last. Several witnesses
examined, but the one who inflicted the fatal
blow has not yet been identified. There appears to
have been general disturbance, which originated
with Patrick Murphy. who took offense at remark
made by some one in the bar-room. There were pres
ent at the time about dozen persons bosrders in the
house and Others, including Murphy, Mclaughlin,
James O'Brien aud Peter Cavanagh who came in t.
gether with two dogs for the purpose OF taking
drink. The following is a summary of the evidence,
with the names of the Jury Walter Smith, John
Clayton, Charles ONeil, VIM. Burns, Thomas Farrell,
VIM. Swartz, Owen Mctiee Henry Willard, Thomas
Kenny, Lewis Fancher Patrick TOole.
Dr. William OttaisOn testified to making the post
morton examination, assisted by Drs. Nathaniel Ford
and j. Blackmore; he found a wound upon the right
side about inch and quarter in length between
tie sixth and seventh ribs the distance four and
half inches below the arm, five and half inches
from the right nipple and nine and half inches from the
center Of breast bOne this penetrating wound Of
about Fix and half inches, perioraing portion OF
the right lung at the junction Of the superior of the
middle lobe, passing through the membrane which
separates the two cavities of the chest and entering the
night pulmonary artery; this wound entered in the
direction of about a. degrees passing slightly upward;
the instrument in its passage made slight indentaion
wound of the pulmonary artery caused hemor-
hage, and that produced death; do not Think the
wound caused by dOubled-edged instrument.
Drs. Ford and Blackburn testified TO a similar effect,
with the exception that in their opinion the wound was
inflicted with douoe-edged instrument
james O'Bren sworn, testified to residing at No.
l46 Columbia street; was acquainted with McLaughln
saw him alive last az o'clock last night in the bar
room of the Barker House Mclaughlin, Murphy and
myself went into the bar-room together; Murphy called
for something to drink and threw down 90 shilling
gold piece; the bar-keeper was getting the drinks
ready when MURPHY, tuning round, said some one
was laughing at him Mclaughlin wanted to know who
was laughing said, no one laughing as could
see; some twelve or thirteen were in the bar-roomi
don't know any Of them, but understood two OF them
were named Pendlcton, (brothen); Mclaughlin and
Barrett got to quarelng; | then told those
around that would take those two men out without
quaneling, bit no one would assist me- Thomas Dunn
then just came in or it was the first ! saw OF him;
DunIs shirt collar was open. and Murphy asked
Dunn if be bad taken of his shirt-collar 10 hghti L
went between them Dunn struck at Murphy, and
general fight ensued; | stepped back to the door,
when saw james BuIke strike Murphy; think he
had weapon in his hand. but cannot swear to il;
turned round and saw Mclaughlin at the end Of the
counter, bending over and four five men standing
round and striking ct him; the genera! cry was GIVE
il TO him. | then saw him fall l ran out on the
stoop ard helOed Police murder and watch" l re-
turned and saw McLaughling raise up, and three or
four uen were kicking at him; it seemed to NE Ike
destb-struegei j. <. Peudeton ran to the door ana
said there was another one left, or some sucn
words saw no instrument used at any time on de-
ceased; he fell on biz face; never spoke afterward;
did not hear be was stabbed when / LETT the house
heard lin make no exclamation before be fell; got
away Is soon as could; came back in ten OF fifteen
Minutes; did not gOD Just at that time; saw the dead
body afterward think could identify three or four
who were kicking at Mclaughlin saw many strike
him; did rot bin strike back saw Barker strike
al him as he fell; don't know that / can identity
any Of the Iest; Mclaughlin fifteen or eighteen
inches from the end of the counter when he fell; was
seven eight feet from him. looking right at hun; we
did net drink at all 70 one behind the counter
theD but two or three stendii N recess al the
counter entrance where Mclaughlin stood; heard
OF 10 insult offered to the proprietor house had
two dogs with US; one IL known as lighting dog they
belong TO Murphy they were not set upon any person
in the house Jaw them catch hold Of somebody when
the fight going on no in the house but myself
tired to quelthe disturbance; Murphy and Mclaughlin
were some seven eight feet apart when the latter
fell; the bar-keeper prepared three WHISKY
skins, when said that did not drink liquor and would
take a cigar; the barkeeper came outside Tor hot
water, and meeting Murphy, said there should be no
quaueling there; recognize George w. Barker as the
baIkeeper do not know what became OF the gold
piece; in Loses house before came to the
Barker House; window pane Of the Barker House
billiard saloon wes broken by Mclaughlin, who as ne
gong up the steps slipped 10 consequence oil the
ice, and fell agans it with his hand; the pane was IL
the door-sash.
Peter Cavsnagh residing o: 63 President-st., testi
fed TO meeting deceased, Murphy and . Bnen on the
Barker House steps; went IN; saw a great many
there; identity the two Pendietons james Barker,
Thomas Dunn, Geo. W. Barker and another who u not
here; Murphy called for three drinks, and the par,
keeper went TO prepare them Murphy remarked he dd
no. want any one 10 laugh at him, and repeated the
observation, waep Das came W aud sold he waa q"