The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-07-29
THE nineteenth WARD MURDER.
Conclusion OF the Inqnisitfon-Verdict
AgminsI Burns aud Hooker.

ASntnst bufnS aNO hCORcTs
At two O'Clock yesterday afternoon Coroner Collin
concluded the inquision IN the case Of James Smith,
the young man who murdered last Tuesday evening
the foot Of Fiftyffth street, East river The only adj
ditiona denoe Of much Importance adduced that
of William Robaille, of the who was severely
stabbed at the time Smith murdered
Below will be found the testimony OF Mr.. Robitaille
and the verdict Of the Jury.
william Robitailie being duly sworn, depOses and
says reside at lI0 East ThirtyGrs street got INTO
our boat above Jones Wood and Michael McGovern
got into the boat with Long and Smith, then went
down below the woods and went ashore they up
the woods and stad in the boat, waiting for them
waited in the boat abou: an hour and half for them;
Smith down and hauled the boat up; Long and
Mct;overn then down. aud Long invited me TO come
up in the woods and have some ager McGovern said he
wod take of the boat until my return; went mp
with Long Smith; staid there about two hours;
McKenna in the woods, and told him that McGo
vern had gone down with our boat, and asked Nc
Kenna if he would let MS 40 down in his boat;
he sad he would; we then went down 10 the
river and got into the boat; l and MckenDa,
Long and Smith and the girls got into the
boat / and Smith were acquainted with the girls, and
wanted them TO 90 down with in the boat started
from the woods to down. and when about Sixtieth
there boat hauled up on the shore; there
were some boys standing around the boat; McKenna
asked where the boat belonged the boys said IL
belonged down In Eighteenth street then backed up
boat tho other boat and told little boy that
boat TO get IN the boat and get the oars the boy
reached over and got the oars aud McKenna pulled them
into the boat We then came down TO FRty-hith street,
landed al Aliens; we went into the barroOm and sat
down bench Long and McKenna asked for cider
and water while drinking there these two
men came in The short to smith, and
the large to me; the shOrt man said TO
smith, ''do you belong to this Twenty eighth street boaE
said no being afraid Of quarrel about the oars;
Smith said Ycs;'' Smith said yes the short
struck Smith; the tall then struck me; the
that struck Smith short, stout man; don't
think ever saw him before; the S, man who sracE me
member seeing him before; after he struck me he got
by the hair Of the head and dragged me ON tho noor
he then commenced kicking me in the head and body;
he kept kicking until somebody else came and
kicked too; crossed my hands and put them up 10
protect my face while the floor and then and there
ceved the stabs received stab In the neck, right
side, and my Dnger was cut In cndcavorDg 10 save my
self; got up and was knocked down again; there was
somebody pulling these fellows of OF me; then got up
ards the door TO get out and staggered against
The door; up the HILL and met Long and he told me
Ina; It would be best for me to go home; was bleeding
,r and then met the little boy that was in the boat
with me; got my wounds dressed on the way home;
did not any more of the two men after went out OF
he barroom as was coming up the hill met two
policemen rInnng they asked me what was the matter
told them; they wanted me to go down home; was
weak from loss of blood that was unable To go down
with the policemen; in dressing myself this morning
discovered another wound my left thigh; recognize
he prisoner (Hooker) the one who assaulted me- he
is the who kicked me the floor; did not see
Hooker strike Smith; the short struck deceased.
The was then submitted to the jury who, after
brief deLberation, rendered the following verdict
That the deceased, James Smith, came to his death
from stab wounds at the hands Of John Burns the
evening of the 25th day Of July, 1885, at the foot Of
Fifty fifth street, East river, and we further believe
Hooker accessory before the fact"
On this verdict Hooker committed to the T0mbe
TO await the action Of the Grand Jury
Coroner Collin also issued warrant for the arrest OF
Burns and placed in the hands Of Captain Hartt Of tie
Ninteenih precinct, for execution
Several vigant officers are In pursuit OF the fugitive
Burns and It almost impossible for him 10 escape,
unless he leaves the country
AN ESCAPED CONVICT RETURNED TO HIS OLD
QUARTERS.
Patrick Burns, alias "Piper" Burns the young
arrested by officers Harris and vermilyes, Of the Eigh
tenth precinct suspicion Of being concerned in the
murder Of James Smith, proves to be escaped convict
from the Penitcntsry As he could be implicated in
the murder the officers took him back 70 Blackwell's
Island serve the remainder Of his sentence He
convicted Of brutal and unprovoked assault with
knife Oh poor unofensive German, in A, and
conviction sentenced TO the Penitcntary for term
Of months, but subsequently managed to escape.
He Ia said TO be OF the most dangerous offenders
known the Eighteenth precinct police and his absence
for time will be great relief TO the citizens on the east
side town