Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-07-29

The examination Of witnesses In this case con-
tinued on SATURDAY., after our report CLOSED, by
calling to the stand
Thomas Cook, who testifi d that be knows the
prisoners at the bar. Did not know Boyd wit
ness saw the prisoners the night Of BOyd's
murder near his house Some were on the corner
and others near the house. They were all armed
with muskets except Murphey, who Wore a
sword, witness thinks Heard the hring-a pistol
first, and then volley Of muskets, rs many as five
or SIX Was about fifty yards from the house,
and thinks the pistol was fired from the inside.
The pistol was shot before the order to fire was
given Saw Murphey and Wilkinson near the
house II the pistol had been fred outside, wit
ness thinks he VIC aid have seen the fash Saw
the party going towards Boyd's and followed
them Heard them demand the door to be opened
In the name Of the United STATES. Next thing
panel was kicked OFT, aud I pistol was fired.
MurPhey was standing at tue foot Of the steps at
the time. They scamper5d off when the pistol
was fired, but immediately returned ard fred a
volley at the house
John hsIthlsy testified that be belongs to the
same company as the accused parties. On the
night IN question saw the prisoners in front Of
BOyd's house; vas near square from the house
when the firing took place, having left them abCut
i've minutes previously There were six or seven
scattering shots fired When they started from
the armory did not know where they Were going,
but was told they were going to arrest Boyd.
Witness and Mitchell were sent b-ck to the
aTmOry with Adam Grinder
George w. Miller testified that ne was rot at the
house, and did not know Boyd, anything
company 10 which the prisoners belong.
John II. Wise, swOrn.-Was not present ut the
affair, and knows nothing OF the Giro umstances
but what he Las heard from others Saw the body
Of Boyd next morning, 1T his house. Observed
the marks of the balls ABOUT the room
Thomas WOODWARD (coroner) sworn-Testfed
as TO the wound which caused BOyd's death. Ex-
hibitsd balls which were picked up In the rooms
Testified that he observed pieces OF glass and
window frame on the floor
Joan Jolly testihed that he heard the firing,
which appeared TO be scattering. Heard the
prisoners when they went TO the door Heard
them demand admittance in the name of the
United states. Heard some one remark about mis-
coat being burnt after the firing. Thinks If a
pistol had been fired outside would have heard it
VIM Mccoy sworn for defense, testified that he
lives about a square and a half from BOyd'S, and
heard vOlley tired In the direction of lis house
on the night in question. One shot was ii red rst
and afterwards d volIey.
THOMAS VsHGbis testified that he belonged 10
the company, and was at the armory that mig ht
Went to Boyd's house between 1 and o'clock
and saw Lusby, Carter and Osborne standing
guard about hundred yards back Of the house.
Asked Lusby TO show him his gun, which he
observed had cap on and did not look as if fr.d
recently
Mr. Haight was placed on the stand to prove
that Boyd was attempted to be arrested because
he wss considered dangerous man in the CON-
munity.
Mr.. Darlington objected to the admission Of
such testimony, on the ground that the character
of Boyd could not be shown in evidence for tine
purpose Of exculPatng the parties or mitigating
the crime.
The court hers adjourned
THIRD DAY.
To-day, Mr.. Bradley, for the prisoners argued
the proposition made Oy him on Saturday, to in
troduce evidence fer the defence, showing that
Boyd was . dangerous man in the community,
and that the defendants Were acting under author
ity of law In going 70 his house to effect his ar
rest The militia had been called out in the Dis
trict for the purpose Of quellng an insurrection
and repelling an Invasion. War actually existed
though not declared by Congress, and under
these circumstances when an officer received in
formation that man was in his military iurisdic-
tOn who was in arms against the Government
was aiding her enemies and affOrding them com.
fort IL lawful for that officer to cause his ar
rest. In state Of war, the Government has
right 70 resort TO the usages Of war to maintain
itself Mr. Bradley cited many authorities to
sustain his position.
Mr. Darlington, for the Government pgreed
with Mr.. Bradley in what he had said about the
country being in 4 state of war; but denied that
the fact JUST fed or mtigated the acts proved 10
the court and jury In the progress Of the pending
trial. He denied that the officer in question had
aright 10 arrest private citizen In his own house
under the circumstances OF barbarity and cruelty
detailed in the evidence in this case.
TERRIBLE EXPLOSION AT THE Navy Yam
TtcO Men KILLED and ttro Wounded Last Satur-
day afternoon terrible explosion occurred at the
Navy Yard, resulting in the death Of two men
now lies In very critical condition. The rocket
house just west Of the ordnance department had
four men at work in IT, preparing decorating
Powde,, &c, and II Is though that the explosion
resulted from Ignition in a copper vessel Eus-
pended from the ceiling, in which powder was
pulveriZed with large copper ball. This how
ever, 10 not certain, and the whole affair is in
yolved In considerable mystery The rowder in
the vessel and quantity In an iron tank was ali
that exploded, although there were several boxes
and barrel Of powder in the room at the time
The building Is nearly destroyed, the roof barely
retaining Its position and the walls cked and
weakened The windows were blown out and
everything about the building blasted and charred
as though it had been in a furnace. Francis c.
Brown was burnt 10 crisp and died shortly
after the explosion. lie was % years of age and
q native Of Philadelphia, but las resided In Wash
ingtOn for about six years. He was plasterer
BY trade, and leaves a wife ard one child. John
p. Furguson was very badly burnt and died on
Saturday evening. He was unmarried. &c wears
Of age, and a native Of Washington William
Martin and Nicholas Ray were badly burned,
and Martin Is moi expected to recover Raw IL In
thought will soon be able to get cut again.
ACCIDENTS FROM FIREARMS Saturday after
noon. PauliOn spaights, boy about twelve years
Of age, son of MIR. Thomas Spaghts Shoemaker
c street south, WA severely wounded by the
accidental discharge OF a pistol In the hands
OF companion named Henry Hoffman Th.
latter was handling the pistol, and trying to Geek
II. The hammer slipped and discharged The load
The ball entered the right breast, and was taken
out OF bis back by DR., Morgan This morning
the little sufferer is doing as well as could De
expected.
Last night, one Of the detachment Of the First
Maine Regiment, stationed at the Long Bridge,
while playing with his comrades, dropped a pis
tol from his pocket, which was discharged, and
the ball eatered the aeshy part Of his leg DR.
Morgan was sent for and properly dressed the
wound, and expressed the opinion that the man
would be iii for service In a few days. IL is said
TO be the first casualty In Tie regiment since their
enlistment.
ARRESTED AND Dismissed --0eofge Matthews,
Of the Second New York Regiment, was arrested
on Saturday by Officer PlOwman, upon z charge
Of breaking into the house Of ] B Haw, and
stealing clothing, a cavalry sword, a musket, &c.
The burglar who entered the house left cap with
the prisoners name in it. He was committed for
q hearing by Justice Dom. and yesterday had an
examination. A woman, who saw the burglar.
entirely exonerated Aauhews. Matthews admit
ted the cap TO be bs; but said that In the retreat
from Bull Run he lost IL, and does not know how
q came In Mr.. Haw's house The officers of the
company testified to his excellent CHARACTER, and
he was dismissed.
QuIEr SUNDar Yesterday, Washington had
more the appearance Of Washington in time OF
peace than during four months past There was
irs intsmpefance and rswdyism, fewer lo2fers at
ne hotels, and although there were many soldiers