The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-01-26
LEW YORK HERALD WEDNESDAY JANUARY g. 1859.
Brooklyn Cs.y News.

Brooklyn Cs:y News.
THE WOMAN BURNING IN SOUTH BRooKLYN--c0Ro
NRR'6 INVESTIGATION INTO THE CIRCUMSTANCES
AND C0AMITTAL OF THE ACCUSED reR TRIAL.
Yesterday Coroner Smell investigated the cause Of the
death Of Ann Jane Dawson who died from the effects Of
burns sustained her residence in Hamilton avenue on
the night Of the 10th inst She conveyed to the Col
lege Hospital where an ante norton examination was
made by Coroner Horton She stated that, having been
driven out Il the house by her husband she, with her
daughter, little girl ten years DID, effected entrance
through the back door. Being afraid TO enter the
where her husband Tin the basement, where they
ved, they sat down at the bottom Of the STAIRS and
both fell asleep Before she in sleep heard
footsteps approaching and then receding
1t being dark subsequently she felt heat about her
legs and ascertaned that the bottom Of
fire. She ran into the street in names and police
men and neghbor extinguished the Gre with buckets
datey TO the hospital She stated that il was
her firm belief that her husband, Patrick Dawson had
set her clothes ON fire. that several times when ntoxi-
Gated he had threatened to set her fire. told her
he would throw some spirits N her and by that means
would avoid detection The unfortunate woman died the
GLOWING morning. The husband arrested, and the
daughter sent to the Amshouse. She was asleep
when her mothers clothes were fired, and 30 knew
hing but what she heard her say Immediately after the
occurrence.
Dr. Louis Bauer testified to seeing the deceased at the
hospital the morning of the 20th and aided In making
q post mortem examination in conjunction with Dr. john
son; the OF death extensive burn covering
iour ths Of the external surface Of the BODY there
Internal disease which arose from the burns and was the
result OF entirely; the BRAIN bowels and kidneys
very much congested eDg0rged with BLOOD the result
Of such burns the liver and heart showed the traces Of
the III effects Of ntemperance but not sufficient TO &C.
count for her DEATH burn of such extent almost
always leads to DEATH the case was regarded from the
first as hopeless.
Dr. John G. johnson corroborated the testimony of pre-
cedng witness TO the of DEATH and that the
gorged state Of the internal vessels dependent
trey the effects of the burns had received found
no liquor in her stomach but she had regular rum
drinkers stomach she died twelve fourteen hours after
being received in the hospital should not think that In
person weak aud PROSTATE she absorption
would be sufficiently active to carry of all the liquor from
her stomach provided she had drank spirits freely just
previous TO her reception in the hospital.
Dr. George Ball testified TO the correctness ofthe ante
mortem examination the substance Of which is embraced
the introduction He stated that the deceased reter
ated several times that her husband had set her clothes
fire, after being told that she could not ve she made
these statements under the solemn conviction that she
must die.
Isaac Davis testified that resides at No. Hamilton ave-
nue. the house where this calamity happened
bed at the time heard the cry of fire and murder from e
male voice and children this was about twelve or one
O'Clock on Thursday morning. 10th inst jumped out of
bed and went down stairs to see what the matter;
saw Mrs. Dawson all in blaze coming up sairs thought
the house on fire, and aroused the inmates; Mrs.
Dawson into the street; followed and made alarm
when three or four policemen at once came up was in
night clothes, and could nst assist: put on my pants
and went 10 the basement found the stove
in Dawson's room red hot, and no one there;
when first went down stairs Mrs Dawson was coming
up; the hall full of smoke and the children were cry
ing; Mr.. Dawson was there also; he said 10 his wife,
"Iont 60 out DOORS" said, eyes go; he tried to put
out the when she got on the sidewalk by throwing his
coat over her. saw MIN ,;ng else nor did hear him
say how the accident happened.
Robert Stevenson testified that he lived at CA Hamilton
avenue was acquainted with Ly four or five years
knew nothing of his domestic as; lived next door the
numbers being Irregular Mrs Dawson was coming out
in the street came see what the matter was hav.
was gta hvb arc i3o
on the walk doing nothing think he was intoxicated;
took my ocoh coat and snachcd his coat from hands
all alone at work in this way by the time the officers
came the flames were out but there smothered fire
kept in her clothes; assisted in conveying her 10 the
Hospital and took the children to the station house, have
known Dawson to put bis wife out into the at least
ten times within three weeks, and lock the door, this
saw; IT is not hearsay; some Of the nights very
cold have heard Dawson threaten his wes life or
use bad language towards her. have known Mrs.
Dawson to be in liquor heard her use bad Ian.
guage towards her husband; Dawson is regarded as an
habitual drupkard by all the neghbors
Thomas ], Cornell, Policeman testified that himself
ana officer Compston came up and saw Mrs. Dawson
sitting on the door steps the adjoining house, her clothes
were still burning she was moaning in great agony;
called for pail Of water her husband told put
any on her asked bow this done when she exclaimed
"Oh, Dawson, You have promised me this time, and
now you have done it," officers Thompson and Grogan
came up and took Dawson to the station house and the
woman to the hospital; next morning asked Dawson bow
this matter happened and he replied that she had set fire
TO herself; did not say how was done there was little
fire in the stove in Dawson's apartments shortly
after the occurrence; don't know whether the fro had
been put out or not.
Officer David p Compston corroborated the preceding
witness in all that took place at the house, Mrs Dawson
declared several times while going to the hospital her
forgive you for this" asked her what she meant and
she said that Dawson had done it, that he set her fire
with a candle
Mrs Mary Swain testified that she resided in the house
Dawson did, she let apartment them she was an in
temperate woman and he was frequently drunk she was
in the habit of lighting herself down the back stairs with
ne The
along in the dark.
Mrs Margaret Callaghan, keeps store next door; fire.
queny saw both Mr. and Mrs. Dawson In liquor; heard
them quarrel and use bad language: had known Mrs.
Dawson to hurriedy fly to her for self protection
trying to escape from her husband.
Mrs. Mary Woods who lives door, testified 10 state
mens by the deceased and eldest daughter that Dawson
had threatened to set the mother fire. often heard her
complain OF Ill treatment; saw the deceased hour or
before the accident and she sober the little
girl said her father had her mother on fire with can
done. "N
Mrs. Bridget Ryan testified that Dawson was hard
working, industrious and sober man. and his wife
hard drinker saw her sober two days at time
had known her to take the bread of the table and quilts
from the bed TO get liquor with heard him threaten
her or use foul language towards her. had she been good
woman he would have been good man; heard her say
several times that she would poison him.
Edward Kaboy testified that there was large fire in
Dawsons apartments, himself and others put out
with water; found candle, but no matches.
Hugh McNuty deceaseds brother, testified that Daw.
occasions.
This concluded the evidence, and the jury brought in
the following verdct:-That Ann Jane Dawson came 10
her death by burns her clothes having been set on fire
by her husband, Patrick Dawson"
The prisoner was COMPUTED to await the action of the
Grand Jury The Children of which there are three or
four, are at the Almshouee
KNOCKING A MANS EYE QUA young named
Daniel Haraz was placed trial yesterday in Inc Court
Of Sessions indictment for assault and battery with
intent to kill appears that he had misunderstanding
with another young man, named Daniel Stapleton In
Eighteenth street, Gowanus, some time since. After
qnarreing they separated and meeting again Haratz
struck stapieton with Ratchet knocking out his left eye
thus deprivng him Of its natural use and dis1gurng him
or me- The defendant was convicted of felonious
assault by the jury and was reserved until this
morning.
SHOOTING SUPPOSED BuaoIAR.-About 1--WE o'clock
yesterday morning Mr. John L. Lockwood residing on the
corner Of Greene and Patchn avenues heard some one
ryiDg his front door. He cried out when the noise
ceased, and he saw man from the window Shortly
lter noise was heard at the back door, as if some one
vas trying to enter Mr. lockwood being of opinion that
10 was burglar, fired pistol and shot the man in tho