New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-03-17
AUCTION SALES TIL. DAY.
Local Intelligence.

TIE COMMERCE STREET TRAGEDY-.JOh,
Coos Committed on Charge Of .NurJer-
George and Mary Ea,rards Discharycd-Re'
corder Houshton yesterday entered into an
examination of the charge against John
Cook and George and Mary Edwards. az
'cused of killing Patrick Sweeney, in yard
on Commerce street, on the first instant.
Mrs. Margaret Sweeney testticd-My
husband went out with two friends: he did
not return home all night: the next morn
ing made breakfast, and went to look for
my husband; ! went to Mrs. Noonans
house; when entered lie was dying: pro-
cured cab t" send him to the hospitals: he
could not Sta.ia: [ asked accused to assist
In placing my husband II the cab; when
returned from the hospital went To Mrs
Noonans to find my husbands shoes: and
asked the persons there how my husband
could have fallen or how he could have
been killed; there were only the two women
there; l returned 10 the Charity Hospital in
the evening, and asked the nurse il
Sweeney had spoken after had left him:
the nurse said no; | asked Sweeney If ne
knew me. but there was no answer.
Louis Diemert-Hcceased and Noonan
Were working in my gang i'll the Orleans
Cotton Press yard; Monday evening first of
March. we were paid off; Sweeney invited
me to come and him at his house
never knew the man before. and asked
Noonan where he lived; We were ia company
at deceased's house until about nine O'Clock.
when We babe him goodnight; he insisted
on going with us to see lis home: sad no;
he said he would 20, as he had ii large dog.
and would take him along: he followed lis
to the house where we lived. on Commerce
street. and we stopped at Mrs. Noonans
room in company until between ten ami
oya ~ I al
night and went into my own room
to retire: l was sitting i'll my
rocking chair when heard a noise
on the gallery; l heard Mrs. Edwards
voice, making use of the words ''lou - of
a, Pat Sweeney, you struck me-" call
ing on her husband at the same time:
"'Georgc Edwards. Pat Sweeney struck me-"
noise and seeing Mr.. Sweeney going ont
through the gate. Mrs. Noonan following
them, Il brick was thrown from the gallery.
which struck the gate, inside; NOonan had
just got outside when he returned, running
up stairs, saying: "You - of d -, John
Cook, you killed Pat Sweeney" then went
down and found Sweeney lying Oh the ban
he had fallen; he answered. Louis, be,
easy" blood was trickling from his nose and
MOUTH carried him into the yard.
Johanna NOOnan-Wednesday night, be
tween ten and eleven o'clock, Sweeney and
Diemert and my husband visited my room:
they had been drinking; when it was time
to leave, Diemert and his wife went up
stairs: Sweeney then said good night; then
heard dog yelp; Sweeney went as far
as the little gate on the gallery; Sweeney
asked Mrs. Edwards why she struck his
dog adding that striking his dog was the
same as striking himself; Mrs. Edwards
called him a hard name. and cried ont for
her husband and Cook, telling Cook that
Sweeney had struck her; Edwards and
Cook came out; heard Mrs. Edwards say:
''George. don't strike him with the poker"
Sweeney then starred down stairs: John
Cook then Went to the end of the gallery.
took up IA loose brick, struck Sweeney on
the head with if. and Sweeney fell; after
that Mrs. Diemert picked up the brick by
Sweeney's head; he was bleeding when
picked up.
There seems to exist considerable ami
mostly, and it was rather difficult 10 bring
out the facts. There was no evidence to
hold Mr.. and Mrs. Edwards, and they were
discharged. but John Cook was sent to the
Criminal Court on the charge oi murder.