The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1869-04-04
A Horrible Affair.
sHr nrsrzsloUs nuaDza m PHILADELPHIA.


Iron the Philadelphia Pres. March ~
Shortly sitter nine O'Clock last evening informa-
ton reached the central station BY telegraph that
murder bad been committed q the southEeat
proceeding to the spot We found largo crowd Of
persons coDgregated in front Of the building
known % Girsrd Hail. ell Of whom were very az
cited and curious to obtain the particulars OF the
affair.
I We proceeded up the stairs and passed through
an ante or reception room into the hall, where We
saw tead man lying on his side on large trunk
directly inside the door and underneath Of the
windows facing on GiraFd avenue.
Upon investigating the murder II appears that
The name of The deceased is Joseph w. Smith, and
that be is about twsnty-eight years OF age, IN
married, and that he supported himself by the
and also BY making fancy dresses for sale or hire
He took his meals with Mrs. Jones, who resides
al s20 Lawrencestreet and slept ct the hall.
This lady informed as that the deceased had
been the janitor at the hall for nine years, with
the exception Of short period which he served
10 the army; that about three years ago he was
taken III with typhoid fever. and since that time
he has been subject to epfleptic fits, one Of which
he had as recent IS three months ago, and that he
has made his home ct her house aud been treated
Is son for nearly i've years.
She further stated that he took his breakfast ss
usual IN the morning; that be left for the hall
about O'Clock, after he had finished his dinner,
and said that be was going to make liberty
cap" to be used last evening, and that she was to
come to the hall after supper with him to see it,
BE told her that he would like to have his supper
early. and she informed him that he could have IL
at g o'clock. and he accordingly agreed to come
After waiting some time for him, Mrs. Jones
started in search of him with young gentleman
from The drug store under the hall. named George
pected 10 find IT lighted up, but il was 10 dark.
ness. They both assembled to the room, but could
see nothing, when they returned and obtained
light. and on reaching the hall they found him
DR.. shapleigh was telegraphed for, and arrived
at that place and commenced an examination Of
the deceased at quarter past ten O'Clock. he
found that the man had been shot in the right side
of the head; that there were two cuts on the right
hand; that both of his hands were tied with cord
which was twisted around his left wrist twice,
and then tied with O slip knot, the mark of the
cord being visible; the cord around the right hand
was loosely tied, and there was about nine inches
Of cord between both Of the hands.
A white pocket handkerchief was round his
neck, tied in strong knot at the back Of the
head, and this also covered his chin and mouth.
A red silk scarf was also twisted round his neck
three times and then tied. Both of these wrap.
pers were removed and the mouth forced open,
but no gag was discovered. His feet were also
tied with similar piece Of cord In strong knots.
There was some blood on his collar, as though II
had been placed there by some persons hands
which were bloody. There was no blood about
the room, except by the side OF the trunk, which
had been caused by the wound.
The deceased's watch was found In his pocket
and about ak dollars; also ring on his finger and
loaded pistol. which he was known to regularly
carry. One Of shsrpe's small four bsrreled cart.
ridge pistols was found on the trunk close by one
Of the hands of the deceased, and with one Of the
barrels recently discharged. ~
Two trunks OF fancy dresses were In the ante
room, and the contents were all scattered about
the place and under tin box, which had appa-
rently been used TO store tickets in, was found
s4 so. Upon examining the handkerchief which
was taken from his neck, 1t was discovered that
one OF the corners had been cut on and this COR
ner may possibly have had name upon It.
Hamilton, who was at work In the drug store
beneath, said that about twenty minutes past he
heard pistol shot and noise as though some
thing had fallen, but he and bis master. Mr.. Shoe
maker, looked at each other and made no remark,
40 1t was usual for them 70 hear such noises In
that neighborhood.
Mrs. Jones says that the deceased at dinner
time stated that he had $40 In his possession which
belonged to one OF his societies. He was men,
Der OF the knights OF Pythiss and other societies,
and has always borne an exceedingly good chan.
acter for sobriety and honesty.
Before the detectives arrived at the hall 1t was
supposed that the man had committed suicide;
but, after Joshua Tsggart and the other gentle
men ID attendance had made an investigation, the
unanimous opinion come 10 was that foul MUIR
der nad peen pefpeuetea.
Inc case ., piesen. ls invoiveo 10 tne greatess
mystery anu IL Is mpossiDie 70 arrive al any SAT
,siactoly concius'on % W no" 'ne ueceaseo came
70 n nls uea. U ru.,... .,.., 49,. :, Al.
Depuy Ooroner r.eecnsr 'oon cnsfse Vi inc