The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-10-11
THE WILLIAMSBURG ASSASSINATION.


the sum of $3.50.
THE WILLIAMSBURG ASSASSINATION.
Inquest the Body Of OHcer Hipwen-The
Testimony before Coroner sHiih-The In
quest Adjourned-Arrest Of a Person ON sus-
piciOn, &c.
The inquest on the body OF Hipwe, the unfortunate
policeman who was shot while duty, early ON the
morning Of last Tuesday, In Rush street, Williamsburg,
was commenced yesterday At old Freman's Hall by Coro
ner Smith. The excitement which prevailed was con-
sderaby heightened BY tho arrest juspror to the in
quest, OF ayoung man named Patrick shrefen, aged
about twenty one years, upon whom suspicion has fallen
from the knowledge OF his having than
cason 1t Is alleged, made Of threatening language
towards the deceased policeman The jury having viewed
the body, the inquest was at commenced and the
following evidence elicitcd:--
rnsraosY PRIVATE wATcrHxAs JOHN VAN Srsr
John Van Nest being duly sworn, tessifed as foows:
reside at No 10 Rodney street; knew the deceased
for five years. was in Rush street early In the morning
Of the day Of the murder between three and four O'CLOCK
saw Hipwei there standing uader tree opposite Mr.
Morgan's, No. Rush street; was the right OF
the street; he was on the sidewalk We exchanged
words FOR 10 the habit OF doing had had
difficulty with him; saw him in the same place two
weeks ago and spoke him, but he did not answer on
the OF the murder aer had passed bin about
steps sa him road opposed TO the sidewalk
where light was shining at the corner Of Broadway
and Rush street; heard him 60 oil the walk; when
got down by the open lots heard the report; about
block away, ten feet from the tree where him
when heard IL; moody there when turned round
saw man after the fecond shot had been fired; he
coming from tho block At rsh angles with the lamp;
would have fred At HIM, but my pistol would go on
followed TO about three doors from the corner OF Rush
street; the man came from Mr. Ackiey's house; was
the Gouth side OF Rush when Hipwel was
shot; u wac SO dark you could not dis ngush man
six feet ahead; last spoke to Hpwell about
two weeks ago; heard any ono threaten
him. saw no one in the street when l went down the
street. The first person who officer Narrva,t.
I rapped with HpweIl's club. deceased did not speat
after ached him. never raw any thing wrong about
the honees there; was there at eleven o'clock two
niphts before but had been there in the interim.
saw nothing wrong; lights To my Wedge IN
less there was one In Mr. Collins baseniont or that
am not Ger aim Hipwe Broadway SIDE of the
street; there were wo shots fred after the first shot
bad back the tree; saw him under IL before the
first shot fred never heard Hpwell speak OF the
chasc er Of Of the houaes; don't think house
that morning. he Dever remarked that there
were queer do pgs in q certain house
GEORGE AcKtAY's TESTIMONY.
Gcorge C. Ackiev heng sworn gave The following owl
dence IL live III Righ street; knew the deceased the
shoot ne occurred at about halt past three O'Clock
Tuesday morning: in bed IN my room when /
heard kind Of scufie the pavement below, and a
man shouting "Murder;n then heard two pistol shots;
jumped up and booked out Of tho window; saw Mr.
Estec on the walk and deceased lying his back
hts feet toward the curb he did speak, or IL
lie did did not hear word did not SEQ any 20 out
o our late that night; al the houses have good
rcp,te; my is the third floor 'front.' when got
up sased the window and shouted watch. and dressed
mysf md went down into tho streets when got down
Irecognhei deceased lying the sidewalk with Mr.
Est stsnting him; ofcersMarryatt examined the
windows OF Oar house and tho next.
J.YSs COLLINS TESTIMONY
James b. Co'iiss. duly sworn, tesiiaed:-I reside in
, avenue nsr Third street ana was acquainted
murder; wife ownk, me about fifteen minutes after
thu occurrences looked ost and lying on tic
sidewalk, but did not theL know IL a policeman:
never know Mr. Hipwoll lave asy trouble with anu
one; last him alive on saturday morning: never
who visited other mems wives, or that there was anv
difficulty Of that sort in which the deceased was called 70
interfere
SARAH noYT's TESTIMONY.
Sarah Hoyt, duly sworn, testified as follows re,de
NJ No. Rush street; knew officer HfIvell: was in
bed at the time Of tho murder; after the second shot
got M and looked out OF the window andyaw man
running down the street toward our house. he was 4
small man, but cannot describe him; he trped To-
wards Division avenue; II not too dark TO aee.
never heard OF any one threatening Hpwcll; know
nothing Of the character OF the people living oppose "a
mo- never heard OF his watching any house in tba
vicinity; before looked out Of the window heard
some one cry "Murderl" and think It deceased.
y. KsrEE's TESTIMONY.
Charles Estee, being duly sworn, testified III reside
IT the corner OF Division and Third street: was
acquainted with The deceased did not sec him the
eho did not hear either shot rcd. but reused BY my
brother raising window IN his room dressed myself
from my door saw Waterman Van Most who was cali.
ing to going down the street; thought a the time
70 The spo. on account Of hearing The report OF rS.
tol, adding Ithat It was the work Of some burg
lar from the balcony Of some house in the
opposite row witness here described his rasng the
fortunate mans body and removing his clothes, &c);I
Asked Van Nest who the man was he calling tn but
he did not seem TO remember doing 90; Van Nest ap-
pearcd very much excited; saw one beside the man
mentioned and the persons living the vicinity mover
heard ANYTHING Of q suspicious nature said about the
houses his row; there else residing the
same house with HIM; he had never asked Hpvell 70
watch his house.
TESTIMONY BUNKER
The witness being sworn saidf reside at No 80 Rush
street; heard pistol report and went 70 my window
while there heard second shot and the report from
the rap Of . polceman's club and also groans and
scufing; looked along and saw q man walking
very quickly; when opposite my house / was
about TO ask him what the trouble WAS, but
Observing that he In hurry. gave up the idea;
could only his form he short and thick set his
clothes all unbutoncd. and appeared have been
thrown in . hurry; sac no one in pursuit. when
under our window I beard him give very long sob; /
raw else In the ncghborbood; told those who
came 10 my house about my having this man; he
went into wythe avenue.
The testimony Of William Estee was similar "a that
OF his brother Charles r. Esteo and that Of Mary Sbc
servant In the employment or Mrs Collins, added no.
thing 10 the evidence giyc3 above
Al this stage OF the inquiry the Coroner dcclinad CALI
Ing any further Witnesses and adjourned the iaQne t,l
Saturday morning, ut ten O'Clock.