The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-04-25

Fatal Shooting Accident Mt the Br~ndreth
House.
CorroneY Connery was called upon yesterday
ing 70 hold N inquest upon We body Of one
Of The negro walters At the Brandreth House,
named Benjamin Graham, who was accidentally shot
by ". J. 6. Esch.nsnn, Of the boarders q. the
above hotel, under the following circumstances
About ten O'Clock Friday night Nchmann had some
company his room brandy dered for the party
when deceased sent mp stairs with the necessary
liquid. While the waiter was in the room OF Eschmsnn
the latter drew revolver from hs person and COM
renced skyiarkng with the same Graham, fearing the
wespon might go off, endeavored get possession Of it.
In his attempt to get ou OF the hands of Eschmann the
pistol discharged the contents entering the groin OF
deceased and infictng such wound that he
pred In few moments afterwards Inspector Hutchngs,
OF the Fifth precinct notified OF the occurrence and
upon proceeding TO the hotel he ordered the arrest of
Eschmann and his friends until an inquest could be held
upon the body Of deceased. At first the Coroner was
impressed with the idea that the case was one OF
slaughter but upon examining the witnesses by
became apparent that the clearly one Of acct
dent
The following testimony was ei,itsd concerning the
melancholy affair
Joseph Ward, being sworn, said-I reside At 81 White
Hotel to lGok for Mr. Brown and MI Eschmapn; have
known Brown for Six months; Brown night wa.chman
q the Inter national sotel only know Mr. E,chmsuu by
his visiting my shop; when ] came 10 Cozzens Hotel
walked up to M EschmanD's room; knocked at the
door Mr. EchmaDn lying the bed he invited in;
asleep; the gas was net lighted asked him II should
light u; he said, "yes" asked him how he was he SAID
tgued . then conversed for some time together asked
hun when he thought he would TO Europe he told me
be was gong South hrs and on his return he should go TO
Europe then left the and wished him good night
went TO the International Hotel to settle accounts for the
day went then TO the office for the key OF the barbers
shop unlocked the door and went In took the receipts
out OF the drawer and left just about locking the
door, one Of men came and told me Mr.. Blown hal
been me- asked him II he knew what be wantedt to
for; he said no. returned again 70 Cozzsns'
Hotel; went TO Mr.. Easchmanns room him stall lay
ipg the bed one else was in the room askei him
If he knew what Mr.. Brown wanted 10 about; he
said. ~ suppose he wants something from you, he is
going away to morrow; he asked to take segar aud
up; he then asked me Il / would take
something 70 drink; said would; he brought us two
whiskey punches told him did not take whiskey, when
Eschmsnn said 81 did order whiskey punches" the
waiter said he understood he did Eschmann said 1--WE will
drink it, and the waiter left rang the bell sad the waiter
came up again he told the waiter he might drh these
punches and tell the bartender 70 send brandy punch
es; We were drinking the punches when Mr. Brown en-.
tered he took seat and said he had been looking for me-
and sad he had been down TO my house for shawl
he he had lent me; Mr.. Eschmsnn asked Mr..
eDsd S.. %s%ens the waiter ne entered
with card Mr. Eschmann told the waiter to
bring the gentleman mp Mr. Vincent De lorenzo en-
viii you have to drink told him had not finished my
glass he told me to do so and have something the
others health my self and Mr.. Brown were sitting on
Mr.. EschmAnns bed, and Vincent de Lorenzo sitting
for light, which the waiter ave gave q. ali round;
Mr.. fschmann then got up and lighted his segaf;
then 70 M Brown and LORENZO Mr. Eschmsnn then
waiter were play ing round the room saw pistol the
sdeboard Mr. Echmann took bold Of the psol aud
towards his yase, As If he intended 10 put it up
Joking with Mr. Brown when the waiter Eschmann
were talking; said 70 Mr.. Brown, chow tha, fellow is
afterwards heard the report Of The pistol looked round
and saw deceased fall on the floor and Eschmann
lin him up and put him on the bed he ookthe glass OF
brandy from my hand and gave some brandy 70 the
waiter; the waiter cried out two or three times,
"oh, Godr' Brown and Lorenzo then went out
Eschmann WAS stil' holding deceased, with glass OF
brandy In his hand; did moi think he shot uutll l
saw the blood on his fingers Eschmann looei said
"Oh, Cod" 'Oh God' len the ROOM went down stairs
and went directly home; of the waters and some
others entered the went out officer 10
with him, telling my wife not 10 be alarmed, as Mr..
Eschmanns pistol went of accidentally positive
that cannot recolec any expressions made use Of by
Fschmann other than have already testified TO; Esch-
mann showed every disposition 10 assist the deceased and
did not atsemps to leave the room while was there.
Vincent de Lorenzo resting in Wooster street. deposed
a. folows-I came 70 the Brandreth House about %
clock when In Mr. Fschmsnns room about ten minutes
him and the waiter scuiing together; the waiter
ried TO get the pistol, when u went OF.
C. s. ellison, clerk at the International Hotel deposed
hat Mr. chmann boarded At that hotel for three weeks
Fschmann threatened 10 shoot Of the while
the hotel, and The witness told him be must quit the
Establishment
Charles smith. bNkeeper Al the Brsndreth, deposed
bat the deceased SAID something about being shot" in
joking manner, when he down stairs the brandy
lunches: kschmann did visit the barroom fire.
quenty than any other guest
Charles Turner, waiter IN the Rrandreth House,
Iamined ii SEINE length, but no evidence Of any impor
elected.
Henry James Brown deposed that he was formerly
night clerk at the International Hotel company
with Eschmann In his room, Friday night, when the
deceased was shot; heard angry words; Mr. Esch-
mann and deceased appeared 10 have been joking together
when the pistol went OF Eschmann sAd al will fire the
pistol OF hyou don't bring mp the drinks quisk' Esch-
mann then said "Dont take hold Of the PISTOL, when
Immediately exploded.
Drs Fnnell, weltje and Bowes made pos. mortem
animation Of the body. they testified a. foliows;-we
found the body in room No las laying the bed his
clothes saturated with blood and also
the floor beneath him; AFTER stripping the body We dis.
Ated -four inches below tho anterior superior apn)us pro
cees u the hlum, and -four inches from the mcsa fine
this wound Ave inches depth, passing obliquey
from left 10 right the bullet In liz passed through
the femoral artery and vein, the muscles Of the thigh
racturng the pubic bone and lodging In he spongy por
ton Of the uretha In opinion death caused By
bsmorrhage from the femoral artery the result Of gun
sho, wound In the thigh.
The then given 70 the Jury, who after due de-
liberation, rendered the following verdict
Death by hemorrhage from tae femora artery by ths
accidental discharge n pistol N the hands OF Vim. j. G.
Esobmann, April %, 1855.
On the rendition OF the above verdict Eschmanu was
dsohsrsed.