The New York herald., 1870-10-06
A FATAL NEGRO FEUD.
Bloody Eighth Ward Brawl-How I've Col
ored Men Looked for Fight and Found
It-shot Through tho Heart--John
Thomas to be Tried for Murder.

AT the Eighth precinct station house yesterday
afternoon Coroner Flynn neld an inquest in tho
case OF Walter Johnson, the colored man. VINO, ON
Friday evening last was shot during q quarrel
with John Thomas, on the pavement in front OF
premises 5ll Broome street, heretofore printed In
the HERALD The relatives and friends OF Johnson
were present; also quite number OF other col ored
people. among whom was Mr. Johnson the colored
counsellor, who, however, did not act In his legal
capacity. The witnesses sworn are all negroes
Below will be found report OF The proceedings:-
TESTIMONY OF CLINTON HALsgY
Clinton llalsey, by occupation COOK living AE
No. 81 Watts street, dcposed that Friday night
last John Thomas met him, and, taking him by the
neck. said. "Oh. Halsey I am going 10 shoot the
black son Of q b--h;r the witness ADVISED Thomas
to 60 home, and he left; am not aware that any i'll
feeling existed between prisoner and deceased was
surprised when he heard Thomas making threats
against deceased; am sure that the words above
stated by Thomas referred TO deceased; he men
toned him by name.
TESTIMONY OF NELSON g. CRAWFORD.
Nelson G. Crawford, a barber. OF No. Clarke
street. deposed that he was acquainted with de-.
ceased; on Friday evening" about half.past eight
O'Clock, heard loud taking on the corner OF Broome
and Thompson streets; heard the prisoner using
abusive language towards deceased; Thomas and
Johnson crossed the street, when deceased said to
prisoner, ''You have been following around ALI
last night with knife; do you want to murder
me' II 80, do 30; or, II YOU want TO fight. viii l.
suit you;" the deceased further said.
III you want to fight here peel your
self viii run the risk OF being arrested
and fight you this corner:, but ne SAID, take
your hands out OF your pockets: what you doing
with your hands IN your pocketsyn the deceased
added, Il will pay for room To fight in. but want
You 10 be searched before you enter the room the
prisoner said, "Come ON, | want 10 talk TO YOU"
man named Church was with them and the wit
ness asked Church 10 take deceased away; Church
did SO, and about minute afterwards the witness
heard the report Of pistol and turning back found
deceased lying his back bleeding from the mouth;
| he died In three or four minutes
| Grace Ann Thompson of 4so Hudson street. cor
! rObOrated the testimony OF Crawford.
TESTIMONY or WILLIAM T. BURTON.
william T.. Burton, OF 10 Sullivan street, deposed
that on Friday night last the prisoner n Lynchs
saloon, corner or broome ana Thompson streets;
\ Thomas was walking up and down the noor ex-
cedly: he asked for Johnson; witness then left and
/ entering IN fifteen minutes heard that deceased aud
! point something at deceased and heard report;
! deceased fell and prisoner ran towards Laurens
| street, deceased died In a few minutes
! TESTIMONY OF CAPTAIN M'DERMOTT.
John McDermott, captain OF the Eighth precinct.
deposed that when the prisoner was brought to the
station house soon after the murder he questioned
! him in regard to the shooting, and he said he knew
| nothing about H. the following morning the captain
again talked with prisoner. who then confessed that
| he had shot deceased, but said he did In self
| defence: prisoner said that deceased had struck
MEDICAL TESTIMONY
Daniel McEwan M. d., made p0st-mOrtem eX-
animation OF deceased and found pistol snot
wound in the left breast in the region OF the heart
the ball passing through the right ventrice OF the
heart; the direction OF the wound was lnwards ana
downwards, and the ball was found embedded In the
yertebra column. In the Doctors opinion internal
hemorrnage was the cars, or DEATH
The case was thea given TO the Jury who found
"That Walter Johnson came to his death By Internal
hemorrllage. caused by pistol shot wound In the
heart from pistol IN the hands OF John Thomas on
| Friday, September 80, 1901
Thomas l. thirty nine years OF age, born In Hayti
and Is cook by occupation. In Justification OF the
crime charged against HIM Thomas made u rambling
statement. ID winch he SAID there had been a bad
feeling between him end deceased for long time in
| consequences OF Johnson stealing his umbrella
Thomas said that on Friday night deceased assaulted
! him and he shot him in sell-lefence.
| The accused was then committed to the Tombs for
| trial.
] MIchael Brady. or 53l Broomc street who the
shooting and in whose arms Johnson died, was
| summoned 10 attend and give his testimony, but
] owing to misunderstanding as TO the time and
place OF holding the inquest. he did not appear be-
| fore the coroner TIL the case had been concluded.