The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-04-28
THE EIGHTH WARD MURDER.
The Voluntary Surrender Of Philip Cooney-
He II Interviewed by n sun Rcportcr-He
Denies the nTurder-Snys the Knife Ran
YtscIf into O,Dav,a side Accidentally.

lie IL Interviewed by " sun hcpOrtcr-He
Denies the NTurder-Snys the Knife Ran
Itself into O'Day's side Accidentally.
For the past few days Superintendent Jourdan
has been actively engaged In the search for Pnil
Cooney, the rcputod murderer OF Dave Day on
Sunday morning last. Cooney knew that warrant
was out for him and feeling confident Of HIS inno-
conco, rather than be hunted down no last evening
surrendered himself to the superndent at his house
in Prince street, and was taken to Police Head
quarters.
when the Superintendent arrived nt the Central
once with his prisoner, no found city Judge Bed.
ford and Justice Dowlins waiting for him on other
business. Cooney therefore, sent at once for his conn
scl W. r. Howe, Esq, who put In an answer that he
said would satisfy any jur after the facts had been
thoroughly Investigated. Judge Bedford therefore
committed the prisoner 10 the custody Of superin.
tendcn Jourdnn. to await the result Of the investi
cation to be held to-day.
INTERVIEW WITH THE PRISONER.
The Sun reporter visited Phil. cooney in his cell
at Police Headquarters. IlO is about os yehrs OF
age, small man. very slight, and about ave feet two
inches high. lie Is a boiler maker, and resided at
23T West Thirteenth street. where he has wife and
three Children lie Il young looking and has clear
open countenance, his eye never wavering while
telling his story how he fell in with ODay, and tho
cause according 10 his belief OF the incton OF the
fatal wound He gave the whole story clearly and
concisely 70 different persons nt different tlmes
mover, however, varying In the details. Tho ollow-
ing Is an eptome Of
PHIL. cooNRY's STORY.
The prisoner said that he fell in with oDay's
party about half past six o'clock Sunday morning,
near Purcos liquor store at the corner Of King and
varick Streets and they all at that time friendly
enough together. They wanted to 60 into Purcells,
but at that hour the store not open, and they
went round to Barney Cark's, where they had o
drink All wero friendly at this time, and subse
quentiy they returned to Purcells, and again took
other drinks Dave O'Day there offered TO fight any
one OF the crowd, but reused 10 accept tie cha-
Pop Purcell" then drove the party out OF his house
when they went to Larry McDermott's, 81 king
street, where they drank again.
now rHE WOUND WAS INFLICTED.
o'Day here offered TO fight Cooncy. who told him
he Was no match for him, and did not want TO fight
but would rather make II land In view OF doing So
he offered ODay his hand, bat the latter rofuaed g.
While they were talking, Coonoy vas whiting
With his pocketknife, Which he held In his rlgb,
o'Day. who threw a glass at oooncy. which he
avoided by "ducking" ODAy then struck at
Cooney with nnothor glass, and caught him bI the
throat fastening his hand In the band Of his blue
ensued during which they fell together. and 1t Is
supposed by Cooney that The knife In his hand must
have entered ODay's side as they fell. He denies
having struck him with IL Although closely quos-
toned on this point Cooney did not waver In this
part OF the story, nor withdraw his gaze nom bis
ouestioners.
Tho prisoner will be taken by Superintendent
Jourdan to-day before the Coroner.