The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-08-13
CITY INTELLIGENCE.

ANOTHER MURDER.-On Saturday night about
fifteen minutes past seven o'clock, Emanuel Irons
shot and instantly killed man named John Wits,
at the Patterson Park House, Loudenslager's Hill.
The load took effect in the right breast. The cir
cumstances attending the shooting are given in
detail in the report of the Coroner's inquest
Irons was Immediately arrested, together with his
nephew Louis Irons, (the latter accessory, J
and taken to the Eastern district police station,
when the former committed to Jail to answer
the charge of murder, and the latter confined
in the statiOnhouse until after the Coroner's in
quest had been held, when there being no evidence
ty implicate him as an accessory, he discharged
from custody. Wits was 26 years of age and leaves
a wife,
Emanuel Irons is the present member from the
First ward to the First Branch of the City Council
Wits, the murdered man, is brother to William
Wits, who married daughter of Irons. There
has been family fued existing between the parties
for some months past. Wits quarreed with his
wife, charged her with infdeity, asserting that a
man named Charles Horney was her paramount
They separated, his wife returning to her fathers
house. This separation, however, only increased
the feud. Wits harrassed his wife continually,
threated her life, and took every occasion to abuse
her. He greatly annoyed Irons, and several per-
sonal difficulties were the result. Finally Mrs.
Wits, through her father, sued for a di.
vorce, which she succeeded in getting a
short time since. Pending this application for
divorce, the family of Mr. Irons (early last spring
were poisoned. Arsenic was administered to them
III tucii coucc. IompJ meulCtl dltentlOn, now
ever, saved them from death. Suspicion rested on
William Wits and he was arrested on the charge.
but was finally discharged, there not being suffi-
cient evidence at the examination to warrant the
magistrate in sending the case to Court. Since
that event there have been ordinations and re-
ordinations on both sides. Irons is a violent tenn
pered man, vindctive and determined William
Wits bears general bad character, and is looked
upon as a desperate man. John Wits (the de-
ceased) was on the ground more by accident than
design.
Coroner Sparklin took charge of the BODY soon
after the afray, and summoned the following iury
of inquest: William Howard, foreman; Francis H.
Abbes, Benjamin o. Brown, William W. Brown.
John Welch, George W. Reay, Edwin Brady, Hem
ry Butler, Frederick W. Fielder, j. R. West JAS.
ii. Foules, Charles j. CLANCY and William W.
Allwell.
The following is the evidence elected before the
Coroner's jury:
William Wits, sworn-Am a brother of the de-
ceased; on Saturday afternoon my Iaother informed
me that report was in circulation, having origi-
mated with Emanuel Irons wife, that criminal in-
tercourse had taken place between myself and nv
sister; concluded to see Mrs. Irons in regard to
the matter, and invited Mr.. James Kirby to ac-
company me- we started to the hill, and on the
way met my brother, John Wits, who went with
us; at the cerner of Chester and Lombard streets
told them Kirby and John Witts,) to remain
there until | came back; did not wish them to ac-
company me, least Irons should think that wan
ted to have a fuss; went alone to Irons house,
report and asked that they would cease to SANDER
me; some words ensued and Irons invited me to
come into the yard, as he had other things to speak
to me about; went in and he confronted me with
the negress, and then asked certain questions in
regard to his daughter (my wife) and man named
Charles Horney; upon one of my statements the
negress called me liar went to the fence again,
when Irons charged me with poisoning his family,
which denied, when words followed and he struck
me; returned his blow and knocked him down;
his two nephews, Louis and Robert Irons, then at
tackled me, downed me and were beating me; my
brother came to my assistance, and soon after he
was near me Emanuel Irons came out of the house
with gun and fired it; l was lying ON the pave
ment at the time; he fired it me- was not aware
that my brother was shot; | got away from the
men who was beating me and started to run, when
Irons fired at me, but none of the shot took effect;
my brother was retreatng when Irons fred at him;
1 saw my brother afterwards and he was dead;
did not go there for quarrel, but to induce
the family to cease slandering me.
Elizabeth Ann Irons (former wife of William
Wtts testified that she had Just returned from visit
ing with her father when William Wits called at the
house; saw him and father talking heard Wits
said that | was id We; l was Charley Hor-
ney's We; scuffle then ensued between father
and Wits, in which father was knocked dowr; fa-
ther running into the house and exclaimed
"Bll Wits has struck me, and will shoot him.
he took the gun, and as he run out he said, "Cear
the way;" just as father run out, John Wits came
running up towards the house, and father shot him;
don't think he knew what he was doing; as soon al
he shot he exclaimed, "Have shot Bill Witts?
He had warned Wits not to come near the house;
Wits was formerly my husband and he has an
noyed me continually for the last seven months
threatening to take my life, and have been in con
tinua dread of him.
James Kerby, sworn.-On Saturday VIM. Wits
told me of the report in regard to him and his
sister, and asked to go with him to Emanuel Irons
whlie he should settled the matter; refused, as
feared that there would be difficulty; Wits said
that ne was not going with bad intent; that he did
not want to tight, but wanted to compromise mat
ters; then concluded to 60 with him; we met his
or9'ner an9 ne accompanied us; when on the corner
us to stop there and wait until he returned, as
ne was afraid that If we all went together Irons
would think that he wanted = quarrel; we sat down