The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-08-07
IRE WI.LIsM BURG MyaD liz.
Cor0Ber's lnquest-rhe TesiiuiOny-A Knife
the Weapon of the Observation-Disclosures
Of the Enquest-Feeiing Among the Citizens.

C0r0ner's 1nquest-rEe Tesiiu,Ony-A Knife
the Weapon of The Observation-Disclosures
Of the Enquest-Feeiing Among the Citizens.
The inquest in the case OF Andrew Murphy, who
was murdered on Friday night by Thomas Murphy,
one Of his tenants, at the residence No. 100 North
Eighth street, Williamsburg, was commenced yester.
day afternoon in the Fourth District Court room by
Coroner Whiteh.
The testimony taken did not differ materially from
the account OF the tragedy published IN yesterdays
HERALD. During the progress OF the inqusition
the court room was crowded by the friends of the
murdered man, VINO all bore testimony to his excel
lent character. Indeed, his untoward fate has
caused universal grief in the district where he was
well known. AS member of the Father Mather
organization. the oroer Of Hibernians and other
charitable societies, he quite favorably known
and trusted.
Or the murderer very little is known. Probably
the best friend he ever had was the man he launched
into eternity without warning and without provoca-
ton. He was present at the inquest, sitting ut the
reporters table, beside his counsel, Mr. Henry M.
Davis. His face was patched and swollen from the
effects OF tie bloody encounter which he provoked
and he appeared 10 feel keenly the position In which
he was placed.
TIRE TESTIMONY.
The first witness examined told the whole story OF
the tragedy. Here 1t Isl:
Patrick Mcguire, sworn, deposed-I reside In the
house where The tragedy took place; between eight
and nine O'Clock, while was ,sitting the front
stoop, Thomas Murphy came down stairs and, be-
lieve, kicked Andrews dog; Andrew then came from
the rear OF the house and asked Thomas why he
kicked the dog; ne answered mat he Thought it was
a cat; Andrew then said, 'Why don't you kick me ~
Thomas then told Andrew that lie did not know
what he had exhibiting knife at the same time;
Andrew SAID, Throw down the knife, you coward.
and fight me like man, they then
got together and fought about three minutes;
heard somebody say "Take the knife from
| him;n think IL was the voice of Andrew Murphy;
after the fight Andrew entered his house and said
that he was stabbed; was engaged III keeping the
women away white the 1ght was going on; they had
some angry words about halfpast six O'CLOCK, while
Andrew was on tie roof and Thomas below; they
good friends for the past three years; did not
notice that either OF them under the influence OF
liquor at the time OF the fatal quarrel In answer 10
question by a juror the witness said that his wife
| and Mrs. Andrew Murphy endeavored to separate
| the men while they were engaged III the death
| struggle
| James Tanning testified that he saw The deceased
Immediately after the ARRAY, and was told by him
| that he was stabbed, or that Mr. Murphy the
| prisoner) stabbed him. The witness could not re-
| number the exact expression.
! James Otis testified that lie saw part OF the
! ARRAY; he saw a man anG woman striking at the
| prisoner ana cried ''Shame; The prisoner after
saying that he wanted 10 get doctor TO sew up his
! lip which was badly cut; there was blood on his
clothes and face; shortly afterwards he heard that
| Andrew Murphy was dead; about hafpast seven
| O'Clock that evening the prisoner drank q
| glass Of liauor IN the store OF witness;
he was not under the influence of liquor
effects OF icewater which he had been drinking DUR
ing the day; witness did not know the man the
| woman whom ne saw strike the prisoner but was
| positive that Inc woman struck the last blow.
Mrs. Maria Ferguson testified TO hearing the pris-
soner ana deceased talk loudly In the evening" but
she did not witness the fatal quarrel.
The inquest was then adjourned until tomorrow,
and the prisoner taken out of the court room by
his captor, officer Albert Quinn.