New-York tribune., 1871-07-03

Newark was shocked yesterday by the muir
der of Of its most prominent citizens under crcum
stances peculiarly tragic and painful Oliver g. Halsted
jr, better known as Z" Pet" Hasted, shot and
almost instantly killed by George BOtts, a charcoal
peddler in the bedroom OF Mrs Mary +. Wilson, dis
reputable woman. The murder occurred in the upper
part Of the building No. 95 southst, only short dis
tance from Mr.. Hasted's handsome residence He had
hired part OF the third floor Of the dwelling lager
beer saloon some time before and was keeping the
there. He passed Saturday night with her. and
yesterday morning, about "A o'clock, he startled
while in bed with her by the noise OF somebody
breaking into the apartments. Before he had
chance TO himself the murderer
had broken his way into the sleeping apartment.
brief struggle took place between the men, when Bolts
drew revolver and shot Halsted the ball entering the
left breast The noise of the pstoshot excited ALARM
and DR.. j. +. Osborn summoned The wounded man
was beyond assistance, however and died within 35
minutes after the shot fired. Death caused by
strangulaton the blood getting in the windpipe land
rendering him speechess
The murderer passed out OF the house and was
rested on the street short distance from the place, by
Officer COlen. He remarked that he on his way to
the Police Station to surrender himself He was locked
up and did not learn Hasteds death until late in the
day. Bolts is 46 years old, about feet
high, and resides at No. 80 Bellevilleave.
He is an EnGlishman and has family
1t said that he has had intimate relations with the
woman, who Immediately arrested and held as
witness She Is 81 years old and is married TO Michael
Wilson, mason, who has not lived with her, however
for several years. Her father Jonathan Oliver,
Who 90 years ago. master mason in the city, but
now resides in the suburbs. She has been woman OF
prepossessng appearance, but has scarcely an at
traction. Halsted has been intimate with her for some
tme having taken her out upon excursions more than
year ago. 1t said that others, weknown in Newark
have also had associations with her. She appeared
| ha W arrested.
Mr. Halstead resided in large and elegant mansion
| at the corner Of Parkhurst and South Broadsts His
family who at Greenport, L. l., were at once ap
,rised OF the murder The body left lying on the
aoor just outside of the apartment in which the murder
was committed, until it was viewed by Coroner Chase
! and jury.
Throughout the day large number Of people called at
the police station to obtain the particulars OF the trag
edy Many Of them were friends of Bolts, and desired
an interview with the prisoner which OF course In
| variably refused.
The murder was the first in Newark in nearly four
years. created greater sensation throughout the
city than Of Margaret Garty, 16 years ago, or OF
Jobn McKenney more recently in which latter case,
Mr. Halsted successfully defended the prisoner. On
Decoration Day. after the parade small company sat
down TO dinner at the Maison Grise Three Of the six
guests 'Pet" Hasted, Charles Compton and Coro-
ner Chase. Yesterday, Hasted was murdered Coroner
Chase held the inquest, and Mr. Compton, the under
taker took charge of the arrangements for the funeral
The impanneled jury, in the afternoon con-
sisting OF John Durham, foreman, James NJ. Clark,
| Richard L. Heddenberg John Edwards, William Wnds,
Henry c. Disbrow, Jotham s. Campbell Samuel Collins
and George Matthews jury proceeded to the mousse
| in which the murder was committed and viewed inc
body which still lying the floor, shouded in the
night in which Hased had fallen At the foot Of
the upper stairway sat Major George B. Halsted, a
brother of the deceased, apparently much overcome.
table in the room in which the dead body lay gave
evidence Of supper the night before The apartment
was neatly furnished and showed that the woman has
not need Of funds In the chamber were several
travelling trunks Of them bearing the address, Mrs.
Mary L. Wilson, care of John p. Hall, No. lsi7 Ridge
| ave-, Philadelphia"
After viewing the residence and body, the jury
turned to the Office of the Coroner, which was COM
petey filed by interested persons Notwithstanding the
! oppressive heat The woman Wilson, who when ar
rested declared that she cared nothing for herself but
| that she responsible for Hasted's death, was
brought before the jury attended by officers. She
had apparently been weeping bitterly She was neatly
atred in drab dress, with black lace trimming, and
wore a striped red shawl dark jockey hat, and drab
! vail.
Officer James Dccgan Of No. % Johnson-st testified
About o'clock while of duty, he saw man about six
feet nigh with fair hair and long beard answering the
description OF Bolts, he goingaong Raroadaye.,
ST. ON the other side OF the rairoad he spoke TO me,
saying Good morning, young man; how's things this
| morning. he passed on, ana ana not see MN again
until saw hin III the police station
At this point County Prosecutor Ellsworth appeared
and took charge Of the examination Of the witnesses.
Mrs. Mary T. Wilson then testified: live az No.
% souh-,t; have lived there since the lst OF MAY;
occupy the back room and hall bedroom OF the tmri
door other family lives in the house; the landlord
keeps "a saloon the first floor; live alone; know
! Oliver ;. Halsted, jr.; have known him three ana
half years he was at my house yesterday, ABOUT
noon; came home just lie came; was present al
difficulty which occurred between him ana George
Bolts this mOr9ng about o'clock NV bST gTt I"o S@Ist
the door was locked; Mr.. Halsted was In the ROOM
l was in the bedroom; heard him coming; nc ne asked
TO in; made answer Hr. Halsted tOld me NOT
open the door did not Mr. Halsed was IA mn tn9 bed
Bolts pushing against the door he had re'oe @ IN ms
hand; said don't shoot" lac said, you -, shOot
keep the door shut, and Bolts burst it open;
he and Halsted clinched. neither said anytllng;
m Tm shot; he S said nothing to Bolts except please
don't shoot AGAIN.; he asked me TO get the lSt0l WY
mp, aud could not reach IT. told Mr.. Hastead |
couldn't get the pistol then Bots let nm co. t tai9 fa
ana ga75 Of walsT ,, Hailead ssssfS' s6ot hm m
grabbed for me az If he was going to shqo me, Ght n
That is the pistol / saw it last winter Bolts then
threatened to shoot him; | said he was my lawyer;
and he would shoot him 1" 1 think the revolver
was then loaded he said Iasted was interfering win
him Bolts relation OF mine he has no rights IN
my house, about o'clock This morning & learned BOts @
wanted see me heard and knew his voice ne e. sin n
him was not home did not see him again untl tnis
morning. he came aud knocked about o'clock, , pnt
went away; hour aterward he burst the door III; MI
IIalsted knew Bolts by sight they had HetSe ,Sr
| met at my house before Mr. Halsted al lne
| time of the difficulty had been at my house since
noon yesterday clothing put ON or taken on i' M
TIalstead after he shot some officers came IA D1
fore he died he lived only a few minntes Mr'Halsleu
had no pistol he had nothing in his hand; when boI.o
held the pistol up, after IL discharged once ne
seemed 10 be cooking it; Bolts is n very tall man at
known him six years; have refused to marry MN nc
lives al the Eighth Ward Hotel and has been married,
but is divorced from his wife, he has two children ouI