Norfolk day book. [volume] (Norfolk and Portsmouth Va.) 1868-1880, 1869-06-07
.CORONER'S INQUEST
OVER THE BODY OF JOHN MURRAY

day m orning whilst at work as usual il
my field noticed Mr.. John Murray
pass through the gate leading to the
water carrying single barrel gun, die
not say anything to him. In q few mo.
ments afterwards l SAW Mr.. Alexander
Perry and his father John Perry coming
across the field, Mr.. Alexander Perry
carrying a double barrel gun. In a
few seconds afterwards Mr.. Murray re-
turned and approached the Perrys; Mr..
Alexander Perry sung out to me to get
out of the way. that that man was 60
ing to shoot; by the time | heard him
the shot fell thick around me. After
Mr.. Murray had shot he made for Mr..
John Perry, and as soon as Mr.. A. Per-
ry could fire without injuring his father
he did SO. Major Remmingtnn, Com
monwealth's Attorney asked he;witness
if he saw Mr.. John Perry have any FIRE
arms. l think he had pistol but do
not know if he fired; as we'll as | can
remember | heard four reports of fire
arms. How far were they from each
other when the ARRAY occurred2 About
fifty yards as we'll as l can come at
Oae Of the jurors desired to know for
what purpose they were in his field.
Witness, | do not know, all l can testify
is to what saw.
Joseph Owens testified that he was
In the field at work; saw Mr.. Murray go
out Of the field and 60 in the direction
of the landing, at that time | had not
seen the Perrys; however, in short
while; saw the Perrys coming across
the field, Mr.. A. Perry carrying gun.
1t was then that Mr.. Murray approach
ed tine Perrys. Mr.. A. Perry called out
to my father to get out of the way, that
that man was going to shoot, which be
did. Mr.. Murray then made for Mr..
John Perry. aud as soon as Mr.. A. Per-
fy could fire without hurting his father,
he fred both barrels Of his gun; my
father at different times sent me to see
If he (Murray,) wanted "a minister, to
which be replied in the negative.
Mrs. A Brown DISPOSED, | was in
the field at work, and heard Joseph res
mark that Mr.. Murray was coming with
his gun; soon afterwards | saw the Per-
rvs approaching in another direction,
Mr.. A. Perry carrying a gun. (The
rest ofthe testimony only corroborating
the statement of previous witnesses,)
save this: Mr.. Murray told me he was
dying, but that he was dying in the de-
Tense of his family, and dying honora-
bly,; he asked me TO fan him, which l
did, also to remove him in a shady
place, which was done on the arrival of
DR.. McAlpine.
DIR. McAlpine sworn Some time
lear ~ NJ, was sent for by Mr.. Thos.
Owens, to repair Immediately down to
nis field, that Mr.. John Murray had
been shot. obeyed the summons at
once; on arriving on the scene of action
I found Mr.. Murray bleeding freely
from the right side, and at once advised
his friends 10 remove him.
An inquest taken in the city of Ports
mot th on .nls 4th day of June, 1869,
before me, James e. Stokes, acting COR
oner of said city, upon the view Of the
body of John Il. Murray, there lying,
the jury sworn to inquire when, how
and by what means the said John Muir
ray came to his death, upon their oaths
do say, that the said John Murray came
to his death on the 4th day of June,
1869, from gunshot wounds received at
the hands OF Alexander Perry and J. hn
Perry, sen.
Signed by the Coroner and Jurors.
Alexander Perry and John Perry were
bailed in the sum of $500 until Monday,
when the case will be examined.
john Perry became bail for Alexander
Perry, and Tho's Owens for John Perry.
BAPTIs1NG. -Yerterday there was a
baptising of number of colored peo-
pie at the usual place. The Swimming
Point Bridge presented black APP
pearance.
HUsTlNas COURT, Judge Foster pre-
siding.
The court was engaged i'll the ar
of preliminary business, after
which the court adjourned to meet to-
day.
MAYORS COURT, Portsmouth, Mayor
Stokes presiding. June 5.
Nothing Of an important nature oc-
upied the attention of the court.
TTNABArED ATTRACTION
AT THE "CASKET."
THE "DUMPLING EATER"
Continues to be the centre of attraction,
and hundreds come TO see the curiosity,
and attracted by the magnificent stock
on display. and the low prices at which
we are odering our Goods, are Induced to
RarpAtnS W