The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-05-10

CoRoNER's INQUEsT.-The Coroner this
morning held an inquest on the body of Charles
Feion, a boatman in the employ of John Patter-
son, who was found drowned yesterday in the
Schuylkill at Race street wharf The deceased
and Patterson had had quarrel a short time
before at Twenty-third and Race streets.
John Toole, residing at No. IA N. Twenty
third street, was called and testified that he did
not know Felon, but saw boat hand named
McClain on Race street holding another man:
saw Patterson break q stick over the mans
head the stick was about two or three feet long,
and about as thick as a broomstick; the man
who was struck acted like drunken mau; saw
him afterwards on the boat asleep; was afraid
that he would fall into the water: he would have
fallen from drink without the blows Patterson
did not appear angry, and McClain at Twenty
third street was holding the man from going
towards Patterson.
Michael Keene also residing at No. IA North
Twenty-third street. carriage and bolt maker,
testified to seeing the fight at Twenty-third aud
Race streets, but was not in the beat when the
man fell overboard; after the fight Patterson
went down the street towards the boat, followed
by the man that was afterwards drowned; saw
Patterson strike the man, the drowned man
when last saw him was on the stern end of
the boat asleep; he could have rolled off of the
boat; did not hear Patterson threaten to throw
him overheard.
Thomas Birdson (colored) sworn-I.ve at No.
2222 Race street, am stablekeeper to Mr.. Pat
terson; saw the quarrel at the corner of the
street; was on the boat with Patterson and the
man; the man was very drunk; while we were
talking some one said that the man was over
board; we threw line, but he did not catch 1t;
Mr. Patterson was not on the boat at the time,
but was at the corner of Tweuty-third street.
John McClain sworn-Did not know the
drowned man; saw the difficulty at Twenty
third and Race; / ran between the men when
they were fighting and separated them; we fell
down, and got my eye hurt on the pavement;
did not see him fall overheard; my back was
towards him; threw the line to him, but he did
not catch 1t; he was staggering drunk; heard
the man ask Patterson for money, but did not
hear Patterson threaten him; could easily have
rolled off the end of the boat.
William Adams, employe of Patterson, sworn.
Was on board of boat at the time, but did not
see him; Patterson had discharged the man from
his employ when the man demanded his wages.
DR.. Shapleigh sworn-Made the pOst-mortem
examination of the body; there were no marks
of violence; discovered that he came to his
death from drowning; there was slight bruise
upon the head, but that was ALL it was very
slight; no marks of violence on any other part
of the body.
The Jury, after short deliberation, returned
verdict of accidentally drowned"
THE MILITIA FUND.-After two years con-
linual boring for the militia tax, the money has
ut last found its way into court.
This fund before distribution among the
militia companies has TO pay certain expenses.
The principal one is the claim of the assessors
prepared by them that the tax is collected. For
the labor thus imposed upon the assessors the
law allows them certain compensation. For
three years the assessors have not been paid,
although they faithfully made the enrolment
each year. The assessors have filed a bill in the
Court of Common Pleas for an Injunction to
restrain General Provo-t and the Militia Board
from spending the fund until their claims are
settled.
In addition to this the assessors refused to
make the militia enrolment this year until they
are paid for the work already performed. If
they persist in this determination it will save
many poor man from being robbed of his two
dollars.
A liberal policy on the part of the board would
be much more credtabe to the militia than the
selfish one pursued with the assessors. With all
our favorable disposition towards the local
militia we can but regret their present condi-
tion. Judging from present prospects, there
will be considerably fewer men in the ranks Of
the First Division on the 30th of this month than
there were last May. There are too many
generals in our militia. majorgeneral, four
brigadiers, and thirty ornamental staff officers
are too many to command two thousand pri-
Yates.