The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1859-07-28
Horrible Murder in Chester County, Pa
Arrest of the Preparation.
From the West Chesser Times.

II orrible Murder in Chester County, Pa
Arrest of the Perpetrator.
From tie Vest Chesser Times.
1t becomes our painful duty TO record
an atrocious murder in our county, neal
Chatham, which took place on the after
noon of Monday, the 18th inst. 1t il
another instance of the danger ofindulg
ing in the traiicing, drinking, or temper
ing with intoxicating liquors. This terri
bic murder is clearly traeeable to thai
cause. 1t has. in this case, already cost
the life Of one and will very probably end
in the sacrifice of another.
We have the facts from our attentive
correspondent, who was near the scene
of the transaction, and was ip ttendapce
at the Coroner's Inquest. From him We
learn that the name of the murdered man
was John Reed, aged about sixty years
and that of the murderer Patrick LATER
ty. aged about twenty -four. He also
gives us the following details:
A Coroners inquest was held at the
White Horse IIo,el, before John NJ. Kel-
ton, Esq. On the examination OF two
colored men, the only eye. witnesses, the
following facts were ELECTED:
The first witness was driver end
drove team for James Dougherty. He
testified that his team was standing in
front of the tavern at Chatham. that be
had gone into the house, and on return
ing was accosted by the prisoner, Patrick
Lafsrty, with, 'Halloo you ID nigger,
where are you goipg!" Witness made
no reply, but drove his team as far as the
barn. Lafferty then came up with him
aud insisted on bis going back to the
house to take drink, which he did
Before they left they took two drinks
each. They then started up the turn
pike together. The prisoner told witness
that he was going along with bin and
intended to give him a id licking.--
They went together about an eighth of a
mile, Lafferty, all the while swearing and
threatening. At this point John Reed
the deceased, came up with them on the
opposite side of the wagon. Lafferty
told Reed to get up on the wagon and
ride. Reed said be would rather walk
than ride in such wagon. Laferty then
said, "Y ou want Id whipping" and
started around the wagon and struck de-
ceased with his fist. Reed closed With
bim and threw him on his face and
thumped it against the ground several
times. then let him up and told bin to
behave himself. Reed then walked on.
when Lafferty threw stone at him, strik-
ing him in the back of the head, bringing
him to his knees. The teamster then
drove on and saw no more of the transac-
ton.
At this point the second eoIored man
came in sight of Laferty and Reed
He testified that be saw Reed jump over
the fence followed by LaIerty, aud soon
after heard one of them cry mgrder.-
Reed fell, Laferty still kicking him.
witness balooed to him, when he desist
ed. Witness told Laferty he guessed he
had killed Reed. Lafferty replied by
asking where there was a Doctor, aud
then went to put on his bloody wai>tcoat
Witness told him he had better wash the
blood of. Ha did not do it. but threw
it on bis shoulder and left Witness then
went to Reed and found bin dead. He
Immediately gave the alarm, when about
twenty citizens started In pursuit Of Laf-
ferty.
The murderer was secreted under
grape vine in the garden of tenement
house at Lewis Barnard's quarry, where
be had previously been at work. They
took him back to Chatham, thence to the
White Horse Hotel, to confront the wit
nesses and the Coroner's jury.
We have been informed that the in
dignant people of Chatham made strong
demonstrations Of banging the murderer
on the spot, and that be was only saved
5y the timely arrival of the officers.