The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-07-28
the NINETEENTH WARD MURDER.

-
Additional Evidence Before the Coroncr's
Inquest-Tho Investigation to BE Con-
tinuod.
Coroner Collin yesterday continued tho investigation
in the of james Smith, who was 80 brutaly mur-
dercd at the foot Of Fifty fifth street. East rver Tues
day evening" reported In yesterdays HERALD Onicen
Harris and vermllyea Of tho Eighteenth precinct
rested two men, named Connor and Burns suspicion
Of being concerned In tho murder but their
being made apparent the Coroner discharged them Tho
evidence introduced yesterday before the jury-a copy
of which will be found below established the fact be-
yond the possibility Of doubt that tho deceased
ceived the fatal wound at tho hands Of John Burns
boatman, famiarly known as Johnny Burns, who
escaped Immediately after the MURDER and has not since
been seen. Doubtless he has led the city. tttr rs
Margaret Nelson, being duly sworn, deposcs and
sys-I reside at 175 East Twenty street, Jucs
day evening, about eight nine 6clock stand
ing IN my fathers barroom, four and two
ladies' in; two Of them sat bench the
and two stood up at tho bar the ladies sitting with
the men tho bench; they had not been there moro
than three minutes when saw two men come In tho
front door, heard Of them say to the young man
boatY the Young man answered eyes" with that the
two men who came In then commenced an attack on
the other men, the deceased got ono blow and then ran
OF the door they both were In their shirt sleeves;
the shortest struck the one that was killed; the
one who struck deceased a short man; heard
them call him John Burns; only deceased struck
once and he out and tho man who struck him ran
after him; blood on Burns hands when met him
coming back down the hIll; heard Burns say He'd
show them II they would steal oars went up tho
hill and saw deceased lying there; the prisoner Hook
er) looks like tho man who stabbed Robitaic; could
recognize the who stabbed the deceased II saw him.
the prisoner tHooke strike Robitale, knock HIM
down and kick him.
Honora Done, being duly sworn deposes and says:-I
reside at 1872 East Twenty ninth street; was in com
pany with Mr. Robitellc Mr. Smith, two young and
another lady besides myself IN u boat coming down
from the Fcnian picnic ut Jones Wood We
stopped at Mr.. Aliens for refreshments; two young
entered, and asked Mr. Smith II he was one OF
the young who came down In the Twenty eighth
street boat he answered eyes" he caught Smith and
struck him In the face another man immediately entered
and struck Robitaile; they commenced 0ghting and
ran up stairs tall who struck Rob tailIc;
returned and saw him have Robitae by the head and
kicking him. ran up stairs again; the prisoner Hook ~
Is the who in and struck Smith, and after the
fight saw Hooker In covered with blood and wash
his hands he said he good enough for any who
stole his young lady told me To out and see
If could recognize the man who was lying oat on the
green; went out and recognized Smith then returned
home they were both In their shirt sleeves am surc
that the prisoner (Hooker) was the who came into
the barroom and spoke to Smith and struck him.
Mary Kearncy, being duly sworn, deposcs or says:-I
reside at lao East Twenty ninth street was in company
with the previous witness; stopped at Aliens Point;
while we were In there two young men came In and
asked Mr.. Smith II he was one OF tho men who came IN
the boat Smith answered "ycs;n tho then struck
Smith; don't sec the man here; II the ono that
struck Robitaille; the prisoner Hookcr drag Ro
prisoner the who attacked dcccaed know by eye
sight they call him Johnny Burns; opened the door 10
out; smith out and Burns ran after him; after
tho fight Burns came and had his hands covered with
blood he washed hs hands he said that he had cue his
hands with weapon that OF our had; did not
any until was asked out 10 recognize the man
that laid dead saw II was Smith; the man who struck
Smith was n medium sized man hc had on dark pants
and vest, white shirt and kossuth hat.
Peter Cory, being duly sworn, says:-I reside Al No.
12l avenue d. after dark joined the party nj Jones'
Wood; came down In boat with Hooker and Johnny
Burns; when down 10 the shore at Jones' Wood
found that had been taken out of boat
some boys told US that had been taken by
body In boat that had two young ladies' In u and
men; we borrowed another pair OF and down
after them landed at Aliens Point at Fifty Nth
street; remained In the boat and Burns and Hooker
went up into the barroom; got out OF the boat and
pulled the boat on the rocks; going up 10 the
house when ! met Burns and Hooker coming down; I
saw policeman coming down after them; Hooker
jumped into the boat and out In the stream, and
dared the policeman to shoot Burns coaxed Hooker
come; ! heard the rcpon OF a pistol when
Hooker and Burns camo running down; Heokcr
and the policeman took 'hold Of him; Burns
up on the hill and said hold ill 20 down to the boat
and get my coat and haul the boat up" bc.thcn dsap
peared; did not any Of the fighting; Drrns is n
name Is John Burns; they both In their shir
sleeves In the boat Burns Is q middle sized man.
The further investigation Of the case was adjourned
t two O'Clock this afternoon at the Ninctccnth pre-
cinct station house The alleged murderer Burns n .
single man, and lives with his mother on The corner OF
Fifteenth street aud avenue H. The police are on his
tra with a OF