Delaware State journal and statesman., 1857-08-28
Tragedies in New York.
A Larger Shot Dedd in Broddcay-JustfaJle
Homicide-Another Probable Murder

A Larger Shot Dedd in UNDERGRADUATE
Homicide-Anoher Probable Murder.
The New York papers of Saturday afternoon
came 10 us burdened with accounts of deeds of
crime and murder. We take the following from
the Express. 44
For a long time past feud existed between
Theodore s. Minis. formerly city librarian, and
Joseph Henry Wagstaff, lawyer who practiced
much about the Toombs and other inferior courts,
growing out Of misunderstanding in relation
TO financial AFFAIRS they formerly having in some
manner been connected in business Frequent
ly since their business relations ceased Mr. WaR-
staff, who was naturally of an uucongenial dis
position, when meeting Mr.. Minis would insult il
not assault him. Within the last year Mr. wag-
staff, 1t is said, has struck Mr. Minis on various
occasions, and also threatened to take his life
Mr.. Wagsaf being large and powerful man,
and, as before stated, not of the most amiable
temper Mr. Minis avoided him as much as posi-
bic.
Shortly after IL o'clock on Friday night, how
ever, the two gentlemen were brought together
in a drinking place known as " Shaw's House."
4s0 Broadway. Mr. Minis had entered the sa
loon with some friends, and Mr. WagstafT being
then in partial state of intoxication, grossly
insulted Mr.. Minis by using indecent aud abusive
language towards him.
II is stated by witnesses that he called Mr.
Minis thief and liar, which called forth re-
taliatory remarks from the latter. After brief
and angry dispute, Mr.. Wagstaf approaching
near to where Mr., Minis stood, gave him heavy
blow under the chin with his clenched fist Mr.
MINDS being weak and fragile man. aud totally
incapable of coping with his assailant in point
Of personal power, retrcated to another part of
the room, whittier he was pursued by W who
struck him again in the face, with the back of
his hand.
Mr.. Minis again changed his position, but was
followed up by Mr.. Wagstah, who struck him
the third time in the face with his hand Mr.
Minis then believing that patien,e had ceased to
be virtue in this cage, drew from his pocket a |
small double-barreed pistol, which was present. |
ed to him by Alderman Blunt some years ago. |
fired both barrels at Mr. Wagstaif across Il table |
the second ball taking effect in Mr.. Wagstnrs |
left shoulder and penetrating his side.
Wagstaif fell TO the floor, from which he was |
picked up aud laid on the table. A physician
was soon in attendance, but could render little
or no assistance, and the unfortunate man died
in about twenty minutes after receiving the
wound.
Directly after the occurrence Mr.. Minis placed
the pistol in his pocket and by the advice of
few friends proceeded to his residence in Hous-
ton street, near the corner of Laurens lie had
been ut home but a short time, however, when
he was arrested
Mr.. Minis had the pistol in his pocket at the
time he was taken into custody, and did not deny
shooting Wagstaff; but, on the contrary, admit
ted the fact, and stated that it was done in self
defence lie was taken to the lookup, To await
the result of the corners inquisition.
Wagstaff was married man, but years ago
had Misunderstanding with his wife, which
led to their separation. During the last few
years he has frequently been before our Courts
of General and Special Sessions, charged with
various misdemeanors, most generally assaults
and batteries. In some cases no has been con-
victed and punished A few years ago he was
arranged before Jersey Court of Justice for
swndling poor man out of few dollars, tried,
convicted and sent to prison for q term Of months
which he served out
An inquest was he'd over the remains Of the
deceased, aud verdict of justifabe homicide
was rendered.
On Saturday morning the Howard Hotel, in
Broadway, was the scene of great excitement in
consequence Of rumor that man had been
murdered in the shoe store under the hotel On
entering this establishment one Of the propre-
tors of the store was found weering in his blood,
from the effects of blow given him by his part
nsr, James Regan. 1t appears that Virto, who
is Frenchman, lived with his family in the
premises aforesaid aud that for sometime past
Regain has suspected that his partner was appro-
priatng to his own use more than his own share
Of the proceeds of the business. No open nut
break between them, however, took place till
morning. when man named Case
brought in some work that he had been finishing.
They were indebted to him in the sum of So, to-
wards which Virto paid him SO on account and
gave out some more work for him to do 10
this Regan objected, and said that no more work
should be made up till they could get out of
debt. controversy ensued between the parties,
which soon became an angry alteration, during
which Regan, as charged, seized n heavy shoe
hammer and dealt Virto powerful blow on the
head with it. The victim fell iusensible to the
floor, from which he was taken up and carried to
the New York Hospital. The doctor under whose
charge he was placed reported that his skull had
received compound fracture, and thought it
impossible for him 10 recover