The New York herald., 1869-02-21
THE TWENTIETH WARD HOMICIDE.


Inquest Yesterday by Coroner Keenan,
Verdict of the Jury-IIOw Criminals nrc
ssLost'' by Deputy Shcriffs.
Coroner keenan, yesterday held an inquest on the
body Of Peter Mcdonald, the blacksmith, who died
on Thursday from injuries indicted upon him by q
fellow workman. named James Mcdonald. There Is
q circumstance connected with this case which rs
just now surrounded by q good deal Of mystery.
After the assault the deceased the assalant was
taken TO the Jefferson Market Police Court, where
he was committed for trial in default OF $500 bail,
and about week ago the captain OF the court squad
called on Captain Heddsn. OF the Twentieth precinct
police and inquired n he knew where James McDon-
aid was, as the prisoner had been 'lost.r When the
man was 'lost," or by what means. no one seems
able to state There are those who contend that
while in the charge OF an cnicer OF the Court OF
General Sessions, Ills way from the court to the
Tombs James slipped his handouts and escaped.
II that turns out to be the true state OF the case
no doubt Recorder Hackett and Judge Bedford will
institute an Investigation as this happens to be the
third handcur.slippIng case within month. Where
the missing man IL hidden Ia q question which the
police trying to answer for themselves, with very
little prospect OF success.
The following Is the testimony taken at the in
quest The first witness sworn was Jacob Abstein,
the proprietor OF the establishment. In which the de-
ceased was employed, who testified as follows:--
Jacob Abstein, sworn--I reside at $40 West Thirty
eighth street; am a blacksmith; knew Peter ana
know James Mcdonald; deceased had fire to work
OF In my shop, AL West forty5irst street, James
worked for me some time about SIX weeks before
tue ARRAY; James that day cama 10 the shop and
asked for money: deceased SAID be had paid him
when some words passed between them; James left,
saying, am take 4 out OF your the 18th ult..
about half.past one O'Clock. was in q store
1f IN the street; IT'D looked out and saw James ies
on the sidewalk Just In front or the store
was in; heard noise outside and saw Peter was
N of tnnr9 I'm his hand.
deceased was ON the sidewalk In front Of my store;
saw he was hurt. because there was blood on hts
head; Peter was standing holding his head he said
"That man did It," pointing TO lanes; the latter,
when I saw him, was walking toward Peter with q
longs away from James; did notsee him hit Peter
heard James say .sI'n take six months for tnat:'
James then went into lager beer saloon.
TESTIMONY or HENRY SiERiCHS.
Henry Scrichs, sworn-l reside at No. 300 West
ThIrty-eghth street; am tanner by trade; was
James McDonald; / was in Abstein's blacksmith
shop getting something done In the way OF repairs
ABOUT two weeks ago; II was about half-past one
with deceased: l do not know what they said, as
do not understand English; say James take hold
Of Peter ana y % H ee % PETER al
he could while he was ON the ground, and when the
deceased got up James seized q PAIR Of tongs and
mt peter on the back OF the head; only saw him
nit ono blow, after which the deceased ran across
the street; then saw James 20 into lager beer
saloon the sonss we,s ~ no sara mo, as snDw o.
George Schaffer sworn--1 live at No. 70 WiIlett
street; am whcelwright BY trade; ! remember
the array between Peter and James Mcdonald In
the blacksmith shop; was there at work; about two
or three O'Clock James came into the shop and
asked lne where Abstein was, and told him did
not know; he then left me and spoke to Peter
Mcdonald in q very loud manner. ~ though he
were angry; did not understand what he said;
believe Peter ordered him out Of the shop; James
then took hold OF Peter and threw nlm on the
ground; while the deceased was down James struck
him with his nst; he then took hold OF q palr
of tonQs and struck Peter twice over the head
with them; he struck him on the top and side OF the
head think the right side Peter got up and ran
out ana James ran out after him with the t0ngs IN
HIS hands the boss then came aud took the tongs
away from James; Peter did not make any attack on
James: he only ordered him out OF the shop.
TESTIMONY OF BARTHOLOMEW BRADY.
bartholomew Brady. sw0rn-l am an 0fficer OF the
twentieth precinct; the day Of the array happened
to be on Fortysecord street aud saw crowd, which
I followed | saw Peter Mcdonald lying all bloody
against fence; on asking him what was the matter
he said che had been murdered;" then found James
coming out OF q lager beer saloon; on taxing hold
Of him he asked me who was, AMI sand tnat N
was friend VI the deceased he'd give me the same