New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1859-06-10
vnrL
The Murder on Board the n1atagorda.

The U. s. Commissioner at Galveston was engaged
on the 9th instant in the examination Of witnesses in
the case OF VIM. Hill, charged with the murder of
Mr.. W. W. Lyons, on board the steamship Matagorda,
on the night of the 4th inst while the steamship was
| on her passage from 1ndianola to Galveston. We
gave yesterday brief account Of the circumstances
which indicated that Lyons had been murdered on
deck and thrown overheard. There was no direct
evidence against Hi, but the testimony of the wit
nesses pointed strongly to him as the murderer
Ellsworth Chresbrough, of New York, examined:
Was passenger on board the steamer Matagorda,
for Galveston. At o'clock this morning .ieard first
Of the murder; we were all examined our clothes,
etc., Mr.. Hill was also examined, and the general i'm
preston was, from various circumstances that he
the man. / travelled with Mr. Hill and lady from
Victoria, and met Lyons at Lavaca !; Mr.. Hill here
recognized Mr. Lyons, who sleeping on the pisz-
"a, and appeared to be slightly intoxicated. The
meeting between the parties was cordial on the part
OF both the lady and the gentlemen. We reached
lndianola at halEpast 10 O'Clock Friday night and
stopped st the Cassimer House. Hill and lady, after
we had gone on board the steamer proposed game
of cards.
Mr.. Lyons was man of remarkably fine appear
| ance would perhaps weigh It's or 1sO pounds
mild in his appearance and appeared to be about As
| years of age. Mr.. Hill showed unmisakabe evi.
dence Of excitement be manifested but little sym.
pathy for the loss of his friend. The hat in court
| looks like the one worn by Mr.. Lyons Heard each
OF them speak of a sale of lands, which the de-
Sedseu wa W Sell AZ Ten QOllafS acre.
Mr. Lyons claimed to be brother-in.law of Thomas,
| the silk dealer, of Broadway, New York, and of
Taylor, of the firm of Taylor Todd silk dealers, in
Chambers street, in the same cy Mr.. Lyons told me
be had deen Deputy Sheriff OF the city OF New York.
The two commercial houses alluded to above, the
witness states, who is himself New Yorker, are
among the most respectable firms there.
The stewardess, Mrs. Mary Ann Parr, stated that
the prisoner and his wife came out on the guards and
sang song together. Mrs. Hill, the prisoners wife,
witness says, was afterwards approached by the de.
ceased; the lady left him. The witness was inter-
rnpted during her evidence but continued to say that
she told Mr.. Hill that the was not gentleman)
The man who approached and addressed Mrs. Hill
was large, stout man; cannot positively that
| it was Mr. Lyons
Mr.. Cooper examined-A passenger on board; to
bed at to at No. 30, aftercabin, upper deck; lay
on the SOFA after part cabin between DOORS from IL
O'Clock till after daylight not fast asleep, DOING;
saw Mr. Hill (prisoner) at O'Clock; bade me good
morning; came out of his room, 81; saw blood on
the end of the bench; great deal of blood on dec.
saw brains; saw human hair; saw the bat; blood dry,
except the pool of blood near the hat; it was LIQUID;
blood on rail was sponged. Hill returned in five min
utes; was fully dressed; brushed his pants with his
hands.
Cooper continned-No noise during the night
| Hill at examination proved evasive talked good
deal about Lyons was perspring uneasy not very
much so rather more so than the rest of the passen
gers was not conscious that he suspected.
Cross.examned--It was after 10 that / changed
my quarters was eighteen inches two feet from
outside door did not sleep sound ; turned about
good deal is very easily aroused /; the door was
closed and was not opened during the night thinks
captain and first discovered blood captain called
me f; Hill walked rather briskly ; absent about
five minutes boat and things were unusually quiet !;
lights in cabin burnt rather dimly when i went to
bed the door was shut | do not think any one
could have come in gone out without my know.
ing both doors shut no soul about in cabin when
l went to bed; all the doors of the staterooms
closed 81 could not have been opened without my
| knowing it.
| Mr.. Wynne eXamined-Was called upon by the
Sheriff to assist examination found the clothes of
| Hill all over spotted with blood his sleeves wet !;
very wet towel told him tHD that he had killed
man. as his clothes spotted with blood ; his
way; he seemed to be very considerably excited and
acted parayze +; did not deny the act or admit it
his appearance was guilt; his voice was tremulous.
Gross sexamned-Passed all in cabin some sitting,
some standing thought he was rather confused
more SO than any of the balance; answered eva lively