The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-07-30
One OF Them Shot Through the Heart and
Almost Instantly Killed
ARREST OF THE ALLEGED MURDERER.
The Deceased a Prominent Poll
tician Of Jersey City.
INVESTIGATION BEFORE CORONER COLLIN.
&C., &C., &c.

About half past O'Clock yesterday afternoon a.
tragic affair." resulting In the almost instant death of
gentleman named Joseph Van Doren, occurred at the
Office Of the latter, No. 40 Beaver street.
The created the intense excitement in
neghbOhood and indeed all through the lower part
the city where the fact became known. From what
could be learned concerning the tragic affair appears
that Mr.. Van Doren city weigher and gauger, and
did business at No 40 Beaver street. He formerly had
In his employ gentleman named James +. Dram,
Of the firm Of Messrs. Dram Thomas also city weigh.
and gauges, whose place Of business 6l Broad
street. AT the time indicated above Mr. Dram called at
the Office Of his former employer but for what purpose
the length Of time he remained, does definitely
appear II is certain however, that before leaving Mr.
Van Doren shot through the heart with nve-bar.
relied pistol alleged TO have been In the hands
Of Oram After the weapon discharged Dram
to from the building and proceed
down William street. He pursued and arrested by
Mr. VIM. H. Kirby residing at No l4l East Twenty
sixth street In moment afterwards officer Riley Of
the First precinct who also in pursuit. up and
took Dram in charge The prisoner was taken 70 tho
station house and searching him single -barreed ps
o heavily loaded and capped, found in his posses
sion The accused in charge Of officer Riley, went back
of the tragedy and there Mr. Van Doren
found lying dead the hoor his head being the first
step fight OF stairs his feet under the hatchway
The blood gushing from the ghastly wound in his
breast aud there indications the floor OF strug
gle having taken place On tho Moor near deceased was
found five barrelied pistol with barrels d charged
The prisoner admitted that the revolver belonged 10 him.
Al 70 what the prisoner said in explanation Immediately
after his arrest tire accounts somewhat conflicting
II alleged that he told that he had aIterca
tiOn with Mr.. Van D0Ten, who committed q violent
assault him, whereupon he discharged the pistol In
efdefence. In answer TO questions propoundcd by
others Mr.. Dram denied all knowledge OF the bloody
decd The prisoner taken the station house and
locked up Crowds Of people In the highest state OF ex
citement followed the prisoner the station house all
prisoner and deceased and also TO learn the particulars
connected with the murder II required the attend
ance Of several police officers 10 keep the crowd
back and preserve order. Coroner Collin was
Immediately summoned and appeared at the station
house with the view Of commencing an investigation Into
the facts connected with the melancholy affair; but owing
to the excitement winch prevailed and the impossibity
adjourned t two o'clock morrow (Monday) afternoon,
the First precinct station house, New street. Before
doing 90 however, he ompannellcd jury composed Of
the following named gentlemen: Jacob G. Wood, 20 New
street; John j. Hull 10 Charles street; A. J. Merritt ~
New sire-' James Usher II Pearl street Allen Cowe ~
Broad st t; j. N Cook 10 Beaver street; j. r. Alexan
der A. street; Aionzo s. Reynolds, II Beaver
street &. =. Ferguson No Burl!ng slip
Dep;ty Themas Robinson, II. d., made post
mo.tcm aination the body ut the station house,
VIII ther IL I been removed, and below will be found
found = r,,tol shot wound in the left breast directly
the region Of the heart The ball entered the thorax
the NTH ntercosta space between the cartilages OF
II passed through the edge the lobe Of the right
lung through the percardum entered the heart at tho
right venricle, passed through the muscular septum
the ventres passed into the left ventrce,
glanced and the left to the upper part Of the
dum and into the left thoraic cavity where found the
BALI the ball conical Both cavities Of tho
thorax and the cavity OF the pericardum were filled
with blood and great deal Of coagulum Death the
result OF the pistol shot wound through the heart
Mr. Van Doren the deceased. resided at No 30 jersey
avenue jersey City, and gentleman Of the highest
n