The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-10
The First avenue Tragedy.


CoRoNERs INQUEST UPON THE BODY or MRS
M'GrLI.-vERDIcT OF THE JURY ExcuLpATING THE
PRISONER ON THE GROUND OF INSANITY.
Coroner Schirmer held inquest yesterday at Belle
vue Hospital upon the body Of Mrs Charlotte McGi q
No 2o2 First avenue, who murdered by her son.
Thomas McGil on Sunday afternoon, by being thrown
out of nth story window The evidence elected was
rather interesting.
Francis Conlon lad about fourteen years Of age de-
posed that while he playing ball in yard at the
Of deceascds dwelling he something coming on,
Of Of the fifth story windows; upon looking he
that IT was a woman he heard the prisoner
say, after he had pitched deceased out of the win
dow, "You are going to hell;' and subsequently
he said, "This hand viii go to he'll and this
hand TO heaven = the prisoner was leaning
Of the window looking after his mother when he made
these remarks previous to this witness heard screams
but did not know where they proceeded from.
Charles II Whitford dcposed that he lived at No oe2
First avenue IN the room next to that occupied by de-
ceased the prisoner has been derious off on for the
last week on Sunday afternoon, between four and five
O'Clock, heard the prisoner and deceased talking TO-
gether the prisoner wanted to know who sold deceased
the and poisoned her mind she seemed to make no
reply the prisoner then said he would give her fve
minutes to tell him and If she would rot do ii hewoud
throw her out Of the window then heard three succcs
slve falls there was some scuing and heard the pri.
remark several times that he brother OF the
Almighty and that the world should obey him upon looking
out Of the window saw deceased passing through the
mir, and saw the body strike shed in the yard below
10 dcCeaseuS assistance, but she
lived i've minutes after receiving the injury; saw the
prisoner looking out OF the window, heard him ex
claiming that he had sent his mother hell aud would
send all Of us there, too, If we did not obey him.
Vim. j. Miller merchant, Of No. IL Maiden lane de-
posed that the prisoner In his employ as poi.her
the prisoner has shown symptoms Of insanity on several
occasions but more especially within the past three days
he seemed TO consider hmscfa great theatrical charac
ter and occasion he asked i'll would not hire
the academy OF Music for him felt perfectly satisfied
of his insanity, but RETAINED from dschsrging him
because ! thought something might be done
for him. on Saturday he came NJ stairs and exhibited
himself in various theatrical posturcs and was com
PEELED at last to demonstrate with him about his conduct
John McGl brother OF the prisoner, deposed--tha he
resided at No 323 West Twenty seventh street about
ten years ago, while the prisoner living in Crosby
street, he struck and Ill for a long time in
consequence about three years ago the prisoner had
quarrel with man 10 Broadway and attempted COM
init suicide by swallowing some rat extermnator; he has
always been harmless except to himself obliged
his nuring HIMSELF Thanksgiving Day he told me that
he thought he would get married, his mother was
growing old aud there ought to be young
attend the house think that the 6t OF insanity IN this
particular brought by the girl refusing
marry him.
Dir. George b. Boaton gave it his opinion that the
prisoner insane, and when the referred 70
the jury, they also OF that opinion The vGr3rt
was "DeatbiGrm injuries received bs being thrown f
tho ifh story window the house 292 First avcnuc
her SOD, Thomas MGill he being laboTDg under pa
roxysm u insanity X tho time
Upon the rendition n the above verdict, Coroner Scr
mcr committed the prisorer 10 the Tmbs, prior to hs
being sent 70 she Lnnatc Asylum on blackwell Island