The New York herald., 1870-04-05
THE LODGING HOUSE HORROR.

The SufocatiOn OF Three Men-iuvestignfion
Commenced Before Coroner Roiiins-The
Origin Of the Fire still Mystery.
In the matter OF the lodging house horror at NO.
IA East street, on Sunday night, in which EDWARD
Brown. John Montgomery aud Charles Smith, all
middle aged men, were sufiocated In their rooms on
the fourth noor caused by fire which
mysterousy occurred In one OF the rooms
on the moor below, an inquest was yesterday
commenced before Coroner Rollins, at the Thirteenth
precinct police station. Captain Ulman and Ser
geant Weed were active in securing the attendance
OF witnesses, and soon the station house was
crowded with persons interested in the result OF the
inquisition. Some one present intimated that VII.
liam Sweeney had occupied room No. 8, on the third
floor, In which the fire broke out, and that while
there he was smoking pipe. captain
Ulman sought out Sweeney, who evidently
had been on q drunken spree, but the inebriate
denied that he had been drinking ut all. He had
been placed in room No. while intoxicated on
Sunday afternoon. but left there two hours before
the fire broke out
John Carney, proprietor OF the premises ana
Charles r. Cupy, bartender, were totally ignorant as
to the origin OF the fire. Cupy says there were
three beds Ill that room, one Of which was
occupied by a waiter In the house, but ne was
az te e o ne nie or aa1 ne and o. we're
not occupied. Neither Carney nor Cupy seemed 10
have the most distant idea about the IRE. ana the
most probable theory as to It's origin tnat could DE
advanced was that some drunken man had dropped
or thrown lighted pipe or cigar In the room which
was unlocked during the evening:
The probabilities OF having the mystery solved
concerning fire are quite remote, but Captain
Ulman, VINO has the matter IN charge, viii exert
himself to the utmost TO procure testimony which
may show how the fire occurred. Three witnesses
were examined ana the substance of their testimony
Will be found below
Patrick DonOhue foreman of Hook and Ladder
No. H. deposed that ne went on the fourth
floor OF the building, where the fire was. to
look around, and on opening tae door @
man lying on the floor: the man lay with MS head
against the door, and the witness ordered the door
to be removed from the hinges and the man was
carried down into the street; the other TWO men
were carried DOWN by more OF my men; none
Of the showed any signs OF life; had these men
been sensible OF the time Of the lire witness beiieves
they might have escaped; there were hall windows
stairs had they awake there was no fire on the
stairs; they could have escaped through rear win
dows: the man the witness took down stairs is
known as Smith.
No. H. deposed that he found the body OF John Mont
gomery IN one OF the rooms on the fourth noor
lying the BEDS there must have been IRE there, as
his body was partially burned on the DacK; this
James II. Casey, Hook and Ladder No. II. testified
that ne broke open the door OF room on the fourth
floor with axe, and found Edward Brown lying
the floor; another man was found lying near the
bed the floor; did not notice that either OF them
was alive.
Coroner Rollins, having other oficia business
which required prompt attention, adjourned the
further hearing OF the till Wednesday after
noon. Relatives ana friends appeared to claim the
remains OF Brown and Montgomery for interment
but calling for the body OF Smith, II was sent
to the MOrgue, wnere Warden Brennan Will retain 1t
for limited period for friends who are expected 70