The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-09
TIE FORSYTH STREET HOMICIDE.


0OrODer's inquest HesuefdRys
An inquest was held by Coroner Rollins yesterday
at the house No. l7s Forsyth street. on the body OF
Norman L. Johnson, who was fatally stabbed by his
wife on the 3oth Of November. Two bright, intelli-
gent children q son and daughter Of deceased were
present in the room with the prisoner during the in
quest.
Mary Jane O'Brien was the first witness
Her testimony was as follows:-I have been
living in this house with deceased AMI
prisoner nearly two months during which time
they have quarrclled occasionally never saw blows
given before Sunday, the 10th Of November ; on the
afternoon OF that day the prisoner accused deceased
with making too free with the girls In the house !;
the rooms are rented to girls furnished /: prisoner
had been drinking, though she was not intoxicated
the auarrel resulted IN deceased striking accused on
the head with small piece OF nrewood he was
putting in the stove she tried to hit him back hut
! went between them and prevented any further
violence between eight and hafpast eight
O'Clock that evening prisoner desired me 10
accompany her 10 her brothers. house deceased
did not wish me 10 20 but to look out for nv
own business, but concluded 10 20 with prisoner;
we went TO friend OF hers In stanton street. be-
tween Lewis and Gocrck, aud while there had two
drinks apiece we then came home together ar
irving about half-past ten oclock prisoner was not
drunk then; ] went up stairs soon after and saw
nothing OF her until next day at about quarter to
twelve; she then came mp and told me to come down
stairs to breakfast; she gave me a small glass OF
s ss ne sS o Il aRs
breakfast; IN about five minutes prisoner Came In
and che said something 10 him about the breakfast
| Junk: when he said, "If sou want
h ~ s Ky wsfo1 you nv Went 9es Was
wSs s ss1g q S ssa s Sa not sec
were behind me; lid not notice anything then I'M
I'll deceased suddenly fell against the back OF NV
Chair to the ground; he had tainted and there was
blood on the floor; prisoner stood by the room door
deceased said, my God, I am Killed. and the
prisoner ran away; as as saw the blood iow-
ing from dcceaseds side I exclaimed, ''Iie ~
stabbed;' then lifted him up and put him on the
found In the room, but she said sne did not see u
used IN the homicide, hut recognized II ~ knifc
used In the kitchen.l Prisoner appeared 10 he sober
at the time OF the s,abbing; doctor was then sent
for, who came and pnt stitch IN the wound.
Ezra Johnson aged twelve years swofn-Uecciseh
was my father and was stabbed by my mother on
the 30th day or November, 1865 n sworn by me on
that day; he fingered from the effects OF the stab
bing until fifteen minutes past one IN the AFTERNOON
of December ], 1868, when he uicd; Dr. waterman
aud his assistant attended him during the first
week: the knIfe here shown recognize ~ one De-
onging I'm the Kitchen and the same saw lying
on tine rcd with blood on ~ amer heard father saw
he was stabbed; father picked IL up nom the bed
and laid 1t on the table and washed the blood
from 1t. -. ...-.-.
The Coroner at tho anc-mortcm examination OF
the deceased, Norman '. JOhnson-already pub
lished-and also the post.inortem examination ~ tie
physlcians briefly addressed the jury respecting tue
lie y aTy wffoui moments hesitation decided
on the following yefdlct.-That the deceased, tue
said Norman l.. Johnson, came 70 his death by a
stab wound In the chest received ny 1r.,s "a lug
hands OF his wife, Eliza donpsOn on lIit Gun iy -.
November, 1865. 1920
Pie prisoner was then committed TO await tue ac-
tioG " the Grand Jury