The New York herald., 1870-06-05
THE FOURTH WARD TRAGEDY.
subduing the Thugs" Of the Fourth ward-Ths
Late Police Shooting Afray-Are Honest
Witnesses Terrified by Roughs HThs
Coroner's Inquest-Testimony Of Eye
Witnesses Officer Burke Promoted.

Coroner's Testimony Of Eye
Witnesses Officer Burke Promoted
At one O'Clock yesterday afternoon the court room
or the Coroners' ONCE was crowded to excess with
promiscuous crowd, composed mostly, however, Of
Fourth ward roughs, to listen to the proceedings
before Coroner Rollins In the OF officer William
Burke, charged with fatally shooting Patrick Her
nan last Thursday night in front Of premises S67
Pearl street. Noticeable among the crowd were
William Yarley, alias
'REDDY THE BLACKSMITH"
Mark Lanfgan, we'll known Fourth ward politician.
ana others not strangers the police force. Olcer
Burke, who Is neorly disabled made his appearance
looking much the worse for wear, exhibiting a
severe cut over the left eye. He took seat in one
corner OF the room and had not word to say, pre-.
ferlng to leave the far as he was concerned
to the Management Of his counsel Mr. William f.
Howe.
Several witnesses were called, whose testimony
was deemed important, but they proved to be know
Nothings In every sense Of the word. 1t was appa-
rent to several members Of the jury that Of the
persons called to testify were unwilling, through
fear to disclose all the facts within their knowledge
lest by SO doing they should place their lives In
jeopardy The eyes Of the
FOURTH WARD BANDrTTf
were upon them and intimidated them to an alarm
ing extent THIS deporable state Of things doubt
less, will result in keeping in the background re-
putable witnesses in possession OF all the facts
nected with the shooting OF Herman They cannot
tell the plain, unvarnished truth and live and do
business in the Fourth ward. Below will be found
copy Of the testimony elected before the Coroner
and the jury
TESTIMONY OF DIR. WATERMAN.
a W.
and testified that he had been called to see officer
william Burke Of the Fourth precinct, and found
him suffering from pain on the right side Of the
thorax; examined him and found considerable
amount OF congestion on that sde which he thought
was the result OF external violence; found wound
on his forehead, the left eye; cannot now say
what will be the result Of the njures the officer Is
now wholly unable to do duty, %-
TESTIMONY 9F CHARLES MARTIN.
Charles Martin. living at 10 vandewater street. tes.
tihed:-On Thursday night shortly before twelve
O'clock the witness was going from his place OF pusi
ness, 355 Pearl street; saw three men standing in
doorway opposite 367 Pearl street and policeman
facing them on passing them he heard one Of the
men say suppose a man was kept out late
Dusiness;" witness passed on and when few yards
from them heard scufle behind and looking
commOtlon; cannot say which one was down; heard
the club as II striking some one the body, ana
u u u
heard another shot witness ran in the other drec-
ton from them shouting 'sWatchr several times;
met rOundsman Croker, and told him some
MEN WERE KILLING EACH OTHER
down the street; went with hlm and some other
officers to the place where the men were; saw man
lying on the sidewalk; officer Burke was standing
close by him. think the cap of his head; sup
posed the man lying down was dead; then went home
John Winebet, Of NO. 800 Pearl street, testified
that on THURSDAY night Wv, while sitting IN @ MS place.
fUyna
WHAT A LIQUOR DEALER HEARD.
Martin FL. Kearney, who keeps liquor store at
utes to twelve O'Clock he heard some conversation
outside In front OF his store, but did not hear what
was said; then followed commOtion, and in three
| or four minutes heard the report Of pistol,
and in few moments another report: heard running,
and went outside and found three or four officers In
front Of his places also man lying the sidewalk.
who they said, was dead; the police endeavored to
get into the house, but could not as the door
fastened; when the door was opened the policemen
went in and the witness followed; after the police
| had gone up stairs the witness met young man at
the head or the first flight of stairs who proved
be Michael Varley; he said he had been In to see
SOME POLICEMEN ARRESTED vARLEY
and took him away; the police also brought another
young man down stairs; Mrs. Herman recognized
the dead man that OF her son; after the police
had gone the witness found the policeman's club
behind the door, and gave 1t to Captain Alaire; the
witness tried to open the door for the police, be-
that were inside and who had been connected with
the aifray.
A
Ellen Kearney, of No. 1857 Pearl street, testified
that on Thursday night last she heard scufie:
opened the window and looking out saw one man
on the pavement and two men Oh top OF him; cannot
say what they were doing; in couple Of minutes
the man ON top ran to the hall door OF witness
house; the man who was down then got up, without
anything on his head, ran some three four yards
and hred; minute or so later there another
report, and then l heard one Of the men say
II am dyng;" the man who fired tried TO make
an alarm by his feet and calling, but, seeing 40 club
with him. the witness did not suppose he was DO.
nm IND
wanted to get in but witness being afraid refused
admit them; one OF them came in the window;
heard that the man shot was Mrs. Hernan's son, and
tngt the man who shot him was policeman; some
one said
and the man Without cap said, mo wonder at IT,"
there is but one key to the large lock- and that wit
ness had In drawer in her room; the hall door was
| fastened with night latch; had the hall door been
open the men could have got in before the shot
7 fired.
WHAT "a BOY" KNOWS ABOUT IT.
Thomas J. Brosman. boy living at SO Frankfort
street. testified that on Thursday night while sitting
on the stOop OF his house, he heard the report OF
pistol and directly heard another pistol discharged
ran around the corner and heard a boy say that q
! place where the man was shot; saw policeman
| standing without his cap and the man who had been
| shot lying on the pavement; the officers coat was
open; saw woman in window; some policemen
then came up and endeavored to get into the house,
the woman was afraid to open the door and OF the
officers entered the house through window; the
| policeman without cap was bleeding from wound
| on his forehead.
TESTIMONY OF JAMES W. LEDwITH.
James w. Ledwth of No. 307 Pearl street testi-
fed that lale on last Thursday night ne was passing
opposite NO. 1861 Pearl street; saw three men, talk
Ing loud IN the doorway, when officer Burke stepped
up and said TO them, There, you have been grOwl-
ing long enough now go away;" one Of the men
replied that he lived there; the witness passed on
and soon heard the report OF pistol, and turning
round heard another report and saw the flash Of a
pistol from the direction of No. 367 Pearl street; lg
was dark night the stars were not shining; heard
some one calling "WatchW returned to No. 367 and
saw several policemen there, endeav0ring to burst
in hn Gny 1Qea, GaA luinrr s1avv,
the witness heard no quarreling between the parties
| in front OF No. 1867 Pearl street.
STATEMENT OF COUNSEL.
Mr.. William f. Howe then arose and said that he
appeared in behalf Of officer Burke, and that al
though 1t act OF courtesy on the part Of the
Coroner to permit counsel to appear at an inquis-
ton, yet precedent had been established in prior