The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-01-30
A Woman Beaten to Death by Her Husband

Coroner Schirmer called upon yesterday to hold
inquest at the tenement house No SO street, upon the
body Of an Irish woman named Eliza Murphy, who
beaten to death by her husband John Murphy. From
the evidence adduced before the Coroner appeared that
the deceased and her husband lived unhappiy togeher
that they both addicted to drink, and when in that
condition were continually quarreling and fighting On
Thursday night deceased brought home intoxicated
and placed upon bed. Shortly afterwards her husband
entered the and taking heavy leather strap from his
waist commenced beating her about the head and body
He then dragged her of the bedseveral tmes finally
threw her out in the hallway where she bled profusely
from wound In her head. The unfortunate woman was
subsequently placed in bed where she continued fail
rapidly until about two O'Clock yesterday morning. when
she died. About eight O'Clock the same morning the
husband left the house and has been heard or
He ntimated his intention not to return soon so it is
thought he may have left the city Annexed will be
found report Of the Coroner's inquest -
Dennis Murphy being duly sworn deposes and says:-I
live at 50 Oak street. rear building the deceased Eliza
Murphy, and her husband, John Murphy, his brother,
Thomas Murphy, my wife and myself occupy two rooms
the first floor Thursday evening" about eight O'clock
the deceased brought by woman and three boys
to our room she then very much intoxicated some
time afterwards her husband in also intoxicated
deceased was then lying bed and her husband dragged
her out and commenced beating her with leather strap,
which he usually around his waist he beat her for
about five minutes, when he stopped and commenced TO
abuse her for getting drunk he afterwards repeatedly
pulled her out Of bed and beat her. upon brother
mas entering the room he ordered him out and said he
should not live there any longer they continued their
quarreing until about eleven O'Clock when John Murphy
threw Thomas Murphy out into the hail. where he lay for
some ume after this John went out and obtained
liquor when he returned he crazy drunk, dragged
his wife out Of bed, beat her with the leather strap,
which was attached buckle and threw her out of the
room into the hail. he then locked the door, after this
opened the door and deceased ROOM put
her upon the bed yesterday deceased very and
did not leave her bedroom;, nothing was done for
her; her husband remained with her all day:
last night went TO bed early between two and three
O'Clock this morning John Murphy called and said that
his wife was dead; we struck light and found that she
quite dead stayed about the house until about
eight O'Clock A. M when the husband OF deceased left
and have not him since; do not know how de.
ceased received the blow upon the head did not sec him
strike her with anything except the strap deceased fell
heavily several times.
at No 33 Oak street, opposite the occupied by de-
ceased and her husband they have lived in the place
about six weeks during which time they have been
tnually quarrelling, lighting and intoxicated;
ceased on Thursday evening about eight O'clock she
then very drunk and being assisted to her premises
by washerwona who lives IN the front house; that
was the last time l saw her aive from that
ume up up TO TO eleven a O'Clock they were fight,
Thos Murphy thrown out, and came violently in
collision with my door, bursting open, and preciptng
him upon the floor; showed him Of the room and
locked the door, he lay upon the hail oor and shortly
afterwards their room door opened again. and
else was thrown out, and fell in the hall way giving a
heavy sigh; think this sigh proceeded from deceased
when beaten by her husband deceased used to make a
great uproar, but on this occasion she made little nose
deceased's room was opened again. and the was
dragged into the bedroom and the the morn
ing noticed clotted blood upon the hall floor which was
subsequently washed away by Thos Murphy refained
from making any inquiries yesterday, fearing would get
myself into trouble If did
George b. Bouton, N. d., being duly sworn, deposcs
and says1hav made post norton examination of the
body Of deceased find almost the entire surface of the
body giving evidence Of violence the back particularly
was covered with excavations and bruises; both lips
aceraed both eyes were backened, and the face and
right temple were severely bruised the scalp over tho
right pareal bone was acerated and separated from the
bone Tor space as largo as half dollar and indicated
that very blow had been received at that poin
the lungs were slightly congesed the heart normal
the right cavity being filled with blood; the stomach
tanned about two of grcenish co0red fluid; the
other organs of the body presented generally normal
condition. the skull was unusually thick and strong; tho
brain slightly injected also the membranes in my
opinion death was caused by exhaustion brought on by
the beating received.
The inquest was here adjourned until ten O'Clock this
morning, when the will be submitted to the Jury.
The police on the lookout for the fugitive and feel
sangune OF being able TO effect his before many
days.