Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1868-04-02
From Pomsroy = Destructive
Fire-Mysterious death OF d.
Cohen.
Of GaIlipolis Journal.
PomERor, March 9Sth, 1868.

Our usually quiet town has been the
scene of considerable excitement fol
some days past, growing out of circum-
stances connected with a destructive
fire, which occurred here on the night
of March 25th, which resulted in the
destruction of two stores, with most Of
their contents, and the mysterious
death of the proprietor of the one III
which the fire originated, Mr.. HARRISON
COHEN. The circumstances are these
First, there were two outbreaks o.
the fire; the first occurring about l ]
O'Clock P. NJ, which was quickly sup
pressed. The second about one houl
later, which had gathered such head
way, before a crowd gathered, that il
defed all efforts to stay its ravages
until the two buildings most nearly
connected, were a mass of smouldering
ruins.
When the first alarm was raised, 8
party of gentlemen happening to be
gathered together in room near by,
were enabled to reach the place o.
danger before thefre had gained much
headway, and quickly suppressed it
There seems to have been general i'm
preston among those present, that q
lamp was burning in the room when
they arrived there, but they afterwards
were convinced of their error. About
this time, however, Mr.. COHEN came in
with light, from the dwelling in the
rear. In answer to inquiries Mr.. c.
stated that the fire originated from the
explosion of lamp, which was usually
suspended in the room. But upon ex-
animation the lamp was found in its
usual place, but with the chimney bro
ken. The party present then made a
thorough examination of every part OF
the room, and after being convinced
that the fire was all out, retired.
About a half hour subsequent to
this, the neighbors were again aroused
by second alarm. Mr.. MesEs SILVER
MAN, who slept in the adjoining store,
which was burned, says that he first
heard distinct report of pistol or
gun, then cry of murder" followed
by 'sfre." On looking out of the back
door he discovered in the smoke burst
ing from CoHEN's back door, the proba
Bile cause of the tumult. He saw Mr..
COHEN lying in the doorway, his head
inside the building, and his body out,
begging some one "for Gods sake to
help him." w. H. H. COHEN, son OF
the injured man, was there, and re-
quested SILvERMAN to raise the alarm.
Other parties coming in Mr.. c. was
taken up and carried to neighbor's s
house, and physicians called in. As
no blood was noticed, it was at first
supposed he had only been overcome
by excitement. Afterwards, on exami-
nation, hole was discovered on the
right side of the neck, at the base of
the skull, which was pronounced by
the physicians pistol shot wound.
They also pronounced the wound fatal.
For a time Mr. COHEN was insensible,
but occasionally rallied so as to recog-
Mise persons about him, and converse.
In answer to inquiries as to how he
came by his wound, he said it was call
mystery" Mr.. c. died about 10
O'Clock Thursday morning. In the
afternoon of the same day, Coroner's
jury was summoned, and an inquest
held. After an examination of the body
by three physicians, and thorough
and searching examination of witnesses,
which consumed all the afternoon, the
jury returned verdict that the de-
ceased came to his death by pistol
shot fired by his son, W. H. H. Cohen,
and constable was directed to keep
the accused under his surveillance until
a return should be made to magistrate
for further proceedings.
On Friday morning the accused was
brought before Mayor LEE, who placed
him under bonds for his appearance on
Monday, Mr.. CABOT, of Gallipolis, and
Mr.. HEBARD, of this place, going on
his bail.
Mr.. COHEN was buried at Point
Pleasant, on Saturday.
After the verdict of the Coroner's
jury had been rendered, it was thought
advisable that more thorough exami-
nation of the body should be made, and
accordingly Drs. TRAIN, RArHBURN, jr.,
and FERGUSON, assembled for that pur-
pose. If being taken for granted that
the deceased had been shot, it was ex-
pected that the ball would be found a
little above the left eye, or in close
proximity to the frontal bone; but after
a thorough examination of the brain
and skull, as well as the spinal marrow,
which was the only outlet without a
breakage of the bone of the skull, failed
to discover any trace of it after it had
made its entrance. The hole in the
skull was of an oblong shape, and
somewhat irregular, as if made by a
three cornered instrument. Just in
side the skull and close about the
wound, some clotted blood was found,
but the brain was entirely uninjured,
and gave no signs of having been dis
turbed by anything passing through it.
The present theory of the attorneys
who have the matter of the defense in
charge, is, that the deceased was not
shot at all, or foully dealt with in any
way, but came to his death by a fall
upon the corner of the counter, or some
other sharp substance.
The property of Mr.. COHEN was all
pretty well insured. Both building
and contents were totally destroyed.
Mr.. SIMON SILvERMAN, whose store
was also burned, had an insurance of
about $4,000 on his property, which
will probably cover his loss. A good
many of his most valuable goods were
saved.
Fortunately for Pomeroy, the night
vas rainy and the river high, and our
,itizens working with will, all the
surrounding buildings, although badly
were saved. When it is con-
'idered that the burning buildings were
on three sides by wooden
in some cases not more than