New-York tribune., 1869-06-07
THE FIRsT-AYE. HOMICIDE - CoRoNER's M
QUEST,


Coroner Keenan, yesterday held an inquest
st the Morgue, the body Of Richard Gerdes who
alsd from pistol shot wound received on Thursday
might during afray in FTstave Twentyfourtl-
st. the particulars ofwhch have been given THE TRIB-
pEE George Riley, Of No 423 Frstave testified that
on the night in question he in Thomas Costelos
liquor store, at the corner Of Twenty nto ard First
ave. Michael Carney Joseph Hartneu a;a
Thomas Carr entered the store ana asked Ior drink
Costello remarked 70 HaTtnett tat ne looked angry ao
fhe latter replied that II be did t was because Costello
s this was denied by Costello and the charge
reiterated by Hartnett who declared that Costello
felt money; Thomas Costello, an uncle Of the pro,
Enetor then came in, and endeayoring to gpel
s9th MI "'iidl him. Carr refused to drink, and
some angry words passed enGng % %R G @ eGef 3d @ @
tnder then knocked the latter down with bottle, and
0e to draw pistol; Hartnett drew pistol and the wit
and several others sprang upon him. ana prevented
( hurt him, and Hartnett being released, he and his
fsends elected from tine place Harnett cooked s
= stol, and standing IN the flrstaye entrance Ponted
II at the elder Costello Witness, who had followed Hart
was near by said Blaze away" Witness then Knocked
Hartnett down with blow from the stool and at the
game moment the pistol was discharged Hartnet and
Carney then down Frstave pursued by the younger
Costello. witness and others When near Twenyfourth
t Eict and ' heat ME aIeg bc VnTnSer
Costello said Go through him, and take the pistol from
fhus,engaged pistol shot was fred at the party by
Carney who steod considerable distance away, the
side OF the avenue. Costello said "Oh God, I'm
shot TWO other shots fred by Carney. The
crowd surrounding Hartuett then into the Railways
OF the adjacant houses Witness assisted In taking
Costello TO the Hospital He afterward learned
that GerdeA had been shot The first shot fired
by bCaTney Has at the crowd around Hart
9red " tho avenue and the third not seen by wit
Patrick HOran Of No. n4 East Eigheenthst cor
rtOraisd IN good partthe testimony Of the preceding
witness He saw Carney fire second shot In the drec
sOme one say that another man had been shot Another
shOt was siterward fired.
Thomas Costello proprietor OF the liquor store on the
OuthNaat corner Of Elrstave and
=. bOraled fe testimony 81 the preceding Witnesses with
"a erenfe 70 the assault In the store the firing by Hart
- and the assault on the latter in tie While
g,s. nee away aiming pistol at him, and immediately
fieS was shot second shot struck the deceased who
ding In front OF his oUn door looking ut the rev
srhen. were fOnr or five shots h-ed altogether.
Nais0m Mcleod, AssistaQt Surgeon at Bellevue
M spf yestfed that the deceased was brought IN on
1hs ed instant suffering from plstOLAhot Wound ~
ar eforlach; he died on Ff1eay morning. the pOst-
prten{ examination showed that the Dali had passed
through dhe stomach, cutting the splehle artery and
lodging hthe yertebrs death rested rom
ls clCssi the evidence. ana the coroner bGh pileny
BEdtsssed Ahe jury referring 70 the fepfehonSDo pIh
lice Ct carrying deadly weapons. RECKLESS DOys ana
young men erry ana use them on every lVL OocasTn, %
and without te slightest just tsatOn fer so doing Inc
5ry rendered verdict "Tlat tho deceaSed came 70 hS
death fren pistol shot wOmDd at the hands OF Michael
carney saa SHOT having been Intended tOF THOMAS OoS-
Tho accused, who a native OF Ireland aged ~ years,
residing AT no. go f4rsaYe had nothing 70 SOY relaNc
% the charge against him. He committed 70 tine
Jonbs 90 awah the actien OF the Grad Jury. IL was
eebs0ry before the ct and considerable surprise and
AssallsfacfiOn I1anfesled by the relatives and
NFieuds " tue DECEASED, Rnd the RdleFeats
~ fastspa The Coroner also exUEessed bis SUP