New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-09-23
IN A DISREPUTABLE
HOUSE.
IN SHOT DEAD BY 4 BAR-KEEPER-
INQUEST BY CORONER PERRY.

III IN SHOT DEAD BY 4 BAR-KEEPER-
INQUEST BY CORONER PERRY.
notorious dance.house of John Van Allen, No.
4ter street. where dozen or more loathsome
II are kept was the scene of bloody tragedy
II 4 o clock yesterday morning, which resulted in
II 9ost instant death of a man named James Nor
after, it appears, with some rowdy acquaiut-
had been on a drunken spree all Of Monday
and at the time named entered Van Aliens
oget some more bad rum. They demanded
of Richard Morrssey, the bar-keeper, who de.
| giving them any strong liquors. for the good
| that the same were locked up and he had not
ey. Morrissey, however, offered to furnish Nor
I and mis- companions with porter or ale providing
would drink it and 60 away quietly. They de-
led to this, and i'm edia,ely commenced violent
bit upon Morrissey, who ran behind the bar TO
fawsy from them. Morrison and bis companions
.pweo hun up TO the bar, and reaching over the
0nter beat him with beer bottles and their fists.
Morrison, more enragsd than the Others started to
d did 60 behind the counter, and with heavy bot
which he held in his hand renewed the assault
n Moriissey, striking him repeatedly in the face
on the head, INJECTING various severe cuts and
ises. In the scuffie which ensued between the two
rissey was thrown TO the floor and while the blows
be falling thick and fast upon him by the trio of
)iants, he reached up to shelf under the counter,
sizing his doub e.barreled pistol, fired and shot
the floor, with the hope that the men would be-
IL alarmed, and leave the bouse. 10 this, however,
az mistaken and receiving no mercy at the hands
Inc a.sai ants, he raised his pistol again, and dis
ged the other barrel, the contents taking effect in
1risoD's mouth, and with fatal effect He fell 10
door, and expired almost instantly.
other two fello We who rad been beating Nor
Is firm o,sr the counter seeing their friend fall
"a, rushed ffora the place and escaped. In short
Ice 81 time al large crowd Of persons had objected
ut the premises and the mos; intense excitement
vailed. The Fourth Precinct Police were soon on
spot, aud arrested Aorrissey, whom they took TO
Station. House, together with the body of the de-
led. Morrissey, in speskiog Of the tragedy, stated
he ori sidered his life 10 be 10 danger and killed
rison otly in self-defspse. From the rumors then
eTonlsiion, Morrissey's statement was believed to
ktrue. In tie afternoon Coroner Hills inpsnneled
lrry aud commenced 40 investigation into all the
seumstsnces connected with the bloody affair. The
liswiDg Is a copy Of the evidense taken before the
TONER and Jury:
6arles McCannon, residing at No. 33 Water street,
~ duy sworn, ssys-l knew tas deceased by sight this
eng 81 II O'Clock wss in Wafer street Opposite No S0l
s heard the report Of pistol in No. O4 this house is
hous. kept by John Aeni hearing tbs report vert
the deceased lyns Va par. behnd hs bsr bleed
with bis hesd toward the door be seemed to dying;
ooy nder Rch<rd Mofrsey; he asked me %
tt DE- lohnson did 90; he did not come directly
yesk ssd good persons
zoe PSe u this time know aOtatng fnEtheT regarding II
sr standing outside Of the bar about tue middle 4
cs the deceased lay hs sht side the door Of No 3
not licked when went 70 tho h)usei Just before wont
as Marx, Drseol out; he was n company Of IN.
saw tho deceased aud Mark tozether bat little
80 e'sfe this there saobcr man. Robert Ahe'en,
eae len before this, supPose IS saw him outside
Robert A'herdsn, residing At No. 5 Cathsrine slip,
swop, depOsss and ssys: knew the dseessed;
ban TINS morning In al places Marx priscol wa.
80 we went into the place where the deceased was shot
been together al night; drank several times; We
Oar, undt, The influence Of liquor think nothi "a,
q. at No ~ Water street le the place In soor'
~ leaving the deceased and Dd,ool do 1 kno"
Ia tbs place the time but think that saw some one
tAom supposed belonged the ace; while II
Jaw no difficulty any oocssion for It after had
none met man who aid that the deeeased 'ho,
'a'Osns Stscan, residing si No. 3O4 Water street