New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-03-08
IN UP-TOUN TRAGEDY.
WOMAN BRUTALLY MURDERED-THE NvEsTI-
CATION CoMMENCED-THE SUPPOSED MUIR
DERER IN CUSTODY.

WOMAN BRUTALITY MURDERED-THE NvEsTG-
CATION CoMMENCED-THE SUPPOSED MUIR
DERER IN CUSTODY.
For over four years past John Hilbert, a Ger
man scayenger, has occupied miserable tuuble-down
shanty In sxtysiIthst, between Eighth and Nnth-ayes
surrounded by Milesan and Teutonic neIghbors, by
droyes Of pigs and goats and Gock Of geese and ducks
the beasts, birds and inhabitants occupying common
shelter. Hilbert occasionally drank TO excess hut was
in the main, wellmeaning industrious man. OF least
such is the character given him by his neghbors Two
years ago his wife died. and soon aftorward woman
named Eliza Callahan. by request OF Hilbert, came to
his homo and oGiclated housekooper The woman
Of very incorporate habits. and ofon when Hilbert
returned home, he would fnd her lying intoxicated on
the floor Of their miserable dwelling after having spent
his hsrdearned money 10 obtain liquor, else pawned
article OF furniture or clothing 20 procure money
to spent in tho way For the past TOW weeks her
conduct has been than usual for che has been
scarcely ever sober and consequence quarres bo-
tween and Hilbert have been Of frequent
On Saturday night Eliza was seen by some Of Ito neigh
bora IN an intoxicated condition, and 10 asceTialned
that she returned home about O'Clock yesterday morn
ing.
soon after o'clock. on Sunday morning. Nj Martin
Meh, living in the vicinity called by Joseph yourE
of John Hilbert who said that Eliza was dead On
entering the shanty hr. Mch found the woman lying on
the floor dead Hilbert was In the room 90 hls time but
volunteered statement % the Of the womaus
death On examining the body Il was evident 20 Mr.
Men, from the wounds aud Commissions tie head face,
aud body. that she had TO her death from the eject
Of violence, and accordingly he wen. aud Informed
patrolmen Rooney OF the Thirty first Precinct OF tie 90
currenco Tho onlccr accompanied Meh 10 tho shanty
and arrested Hilbert suspicion OF having murdered hs
paramour The OF the accused also taken into Gus
tody witness he having admitted that he had passed
the night in the shany aud must therefore have been
cognizant OF the ARRAY There was quantity OF blood
on tho floor hay stick about feet IN length, heavy
glass bottle. ana a broken broom were found near tho
body. All these article. covered with blood. The
coat OF Hilbert, with the collar besmoared with blood
was found concealed the shanty. The interior Of
the bovol presented all tile evidences OF desperate
struggle, Notwithstanding which the ncigbors say they
heard unusual sound. any evidence Of ARRAY.
The accused volunteered explanation with reference
to the affair lie locked up In the station house
Later III the day Coroner Keenan, accompanied by Drs.
Wooster Beach and Cushman visited the for the
purpose OF investigating the origin Of tie ARRAY The
doctors made post examination OF the body Of
the woman and found number Of cuts OF various sizes
on the head face arms body and lower cxtremies The
struggle must have been desperate one ana the
was probably beaten after glc had fallen uscnsbe Ia
their opinion che had died from the shock 10 her
nervous system. Owing 20 the absence Of many i'm.
portaDt witnesses, the Coroner decided to ADJOURN
the inquest until Tuesday next, at the MOrguo. The
body has already been removed hiter. The deceased
native OF Ireland aged about 40 years The accused
Is aged about 90 years He served with credit n the
Mexican War; and also during tho recent Rebellion in the
Capt Helne made inquiries among the nelghbors but
none Of them seemed 20 have any knowledge Of tho
ARRAY or, II they had would tell nothing It Is alleged
that the first wifes death which occurred on July 1901
was attended with suspicious circumstances but this
may be OF the idle that obtain ready cedcnce
doubtless. be elected ut the investigation Tuesday
next.