The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-08-07
raE ACCENT DROWNING CASUALTY N WILLIAMSBURG.

Ferry Company Censurod BY tho OOronor's
Jury-A straDae story About n Woman In
Black.
The protracted inquest before Coroner Smith and Q
fury In relation to the case OF Mrs Merritt and babe.
whose bodies were found In the Houston street ferry
alp ON Monday the 10Th ult YVES brought 10 oonclu.
sion at late hour last night rhefoilowing Ia NE clos
ing evidence rr. 10y
Rose 0on' deposed II reside at No n Grand street ;
was in the hotel near tho ferry on Sunday night was
tack between and ton o'clock that night
while looking out tho window two ladies standing
on the BRIDGE there boat IA; Of the ladies
dressed in black; I know that one Of
heard sS. Ss had child in Arms. ~s
leaning out Of the window ~ the time and the wo
men plainly; whom heard tho splash and the scream
called my sster; think this was about ten O'Clock;
don't know whether the deceased was pushed on the
bridge BY the lady in black mott this latter lady loft
a.: :. .ss
her frcck very awkwardly and lea, going up Grand
street; she acted more Like man than woman before
I heard the screams there were two women on the
bridge but only Afterwards: told my sister
70 tell the policeman; my SISTER saw the woman In
Of the drowning woman DONE know bow the drowned
woman was dressed think the woman In black wore
only Visiting the hotel that day after my sister told tho
policeman Of the occurrence went home and my SIS
tsr went with me- was standing at the window about
ffteen minutes before Jaw the two women 80 On the
bridge; am positive there was nobody on The bridge
the time bat the two women; know that the woman
black the other 60 over the bridge; whom
white keee or WHITE sxrs can't say whether this per-
son woman; when she tucked up her skirts
she sfs told the woman 0f the house what ID oc
curred; left tho window whom the woman In blsck
left the gate thought the psrsen In back was man
womsns clothes because Of that persons actions
NJ " Brewer dep0sed II am an odaces attached to
the Forty nth precinct: was on duty ct she Houston
street ferry gate the time Of the occurrence saw
woman with chd in her arms 90 through the gate IN
hurry; the child was worrying 1t the me; boat was
just leaving the alp when the woman entered;
watched her until she got the bridge; did not soc
her on the bridge; did not SOC any other person on
the bridge when she got there Left fnr short time,
and whom returned saw Two women enter and go
toward the bridge they returned neither Of them
carried child or bundle; when the ladies returned
boat came In and suppose they went on board OF
afer this boat Left woman standing on the piazza
VI the American Hotel beckonng 70 mo; went 10 her
and she told me she thought Q woman threw child
overheard tho woman who told me this Is Maggie Coz:
she said the who threw the child over was large
aud dressed 10 black and that when she threw the chd
overheard she left; when Maggie 0od told me this
woman gone then went on the bridge, but say
nothing; there was no brdgsman there ct the time
never anybody there q night 10 take care OF the
bridge; thsrs . chain there. but never saw used,
20 ON the bridge or not; the shawl was Mmiias.
Coroner smith here announced that there was no FUR
her evidence 70 be TAKEN and submitted the case TO tho
Jury. After protracted elaboration, the foreman. Mr..
We the jury empanelled In the above case dad that the
parties named their death BY accidental drown
ing and No furthermore believe that common
ON the part Of the Houston Street Ferry Company would
commend the Grand jury the necessity Of compelling
the Ferry Company Aforesaid 70 take sush measures -
viii prevent such In the future by placing
come positive safeguard on the bridge.