The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-06-18
THE PORTER MURDER.

Examination Before Coroner Lynch Of Brook
Iyn-A Probable Clue TO the Mystery.
The examination IN the supposed murder Of James
Porter the collector, whose body found floating
the East river at the foot OF conover street, wednes
day last, was commenced yesterday morning before
Coroner Lynch In his Office at the County Court House,
Brooklyn.
The FIRST witness examined was Mr. Il. L. Hull, drug
gist residing at 100 Joraemon street. who testified that
he had known James Porter the deceased for the past
seven years. that he OF temperate habits inteili-
gent and industrious and that no last him about
Mrs. Hattie Hayden, the lady who keeps the boarding
house No 231 Henry street. where deceased had boarded
for week previous TO his being missed, testified that
he came there two weeks ago last Saturday. and that he
appeared very regular in his habits: he lett the house
about o'clock Thursday morning, the 9th inst,
after paraking OF breakfast on "Wednesday AFTERNOON
about O'Clock gentleman called the house and
inquired Of witness N Mr. James Porter boarded there
and ~ne her ne roomsd alone or not the person who
light curly hair whlskers but heavy mnstache:
he dressed In dark colored business and light
pants witness stated that she thought she could don
tfy him II she were to SEQ him again; . gentleman
named Mitchell occupied the room with Mr. Porter: on
Thursday morning when Mr. Porter left the house. wit
noticed that he wore hls watch.
Mr.. {. W. Huhington, the lumber merchant IN whose
employ the deceased had been, was the next witness
sworn, and testified that James Porter had been 10 his
employ for about two months; witness had known the
deceased for some years past, and had been member
OF debating society 70 which he belonged Porter was
absent the for about year. and his return OBJ
tanned situation as clerk from man named Schuyler,
lumber merchant foot Of East Thirtythird street. New
York; while 10 the employ OF witness he principally
engaged In soliciting and making orders and coleci-
ing; the last time he was seen at the Office. witness
stated was Thursday the 9th OF June about quar-
ter twelve O'Clock: he then deposited In the safe
500, which he had collected during the mornings never
saw any signs OF liquor deceased; had been warned
against Porter by man named Patrick tasscy, lumber
broker who said that deceased addicted to drink;
Porter had silver watch. and always carried blank
book In which be kept his accounts In conclusion
stated that he bad been unable 70 find further
OF the deceased after his leaving the Office twelve
O'Clock Thursday, June 0.
Coroner Lynch then adjourned the inquest until Friday
morning, At ten o'clock, at which time he informed the
jury he hoped 10 have an important Witness who
absent with his vessel which would arrive by that
time
Roundsman Brumey and officer layton arc SIN busy
In WORKING up the matter and are Of tho opinion that
they have got pretty the night scent at last On
Thursday morning, as shown In the testimony, Mr. Por-
TER had been successful in making collections amounting
TO the Of four hundred dollars This amount II 10
believed he had exposed 10 individual with whom ho
had been seen In Conversation during tho forenoon OF
ihst day. ON returning 70 the once. shortly before
taeve o'clock, he made deposit OF tho sum co!lscfeds
chsvgcd himself With dollars, and went out About
hrss ocienk In The afternoon he ga 80 nsas Va