The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-07-25
MURDER AND ARSON.
NEwARK's VERY LATEST HORROR.
The Mystery OF Poor Old Raderty's Dsath What
the "Crowner's Quest Developed Yester
day An Appalling Chapter Of
Crime and Cupidity.

As fully detailed in the HERALD OF yesterday, a
week ago the Fire Department OF Newark were
alarmed as early as three O'CLOCK on the morning Of
the day preceding-Sunday, the 10TH INSTANTLY
nre III camden street, that city. On reaching the
point which Is "over the hir' in the direction OF
koseVlie' the frenen found the old shanty, No. 8,
owned and occupied by an freshman seventy
odd years OF age, Damed Patrick ]. Rafferty,, In
flames. The IRE was put out. and Oh bursting open
the door
SIGHT MOST HORRIBLE
met the view OF the iremen. On the door lay mass
OF roasted human flesh and burnt clothing. This
was the body OF poor old Rafferty, His lace was
disigured beyond recognition, and one OF his neither
limbs entirely consumed as lar III as the knee. The
body lay IN position that Induced the belief that
the old man hal fallen suhocated while attempting
to escape by the door.
THE THEORY OF TIE HORROR
at the time was that the poor Old fellow had been
deep In his cups on Saturday night, ana ON reaching
home, while preparing TO retire. accidentally upset
his light, and SO set lire TO his and suffered
the penalty himself 1t was given out and so be-
ieved by the public and even by the authorities.
law prevails in Essex county delegauny all the
power vested in cOroners far ordinary inquests
are concerned, to the County Physician.
AN APOLOGY FOR AN INVESTIGATION
was made the cause of death determined accidental
body consigned to the grave. In the meantime the
relatives of the dead man turned up and from all
they could learn poor old Pat uad not come by his
death accdenta ly. They demanded that an inquest
De held ana accordingly yesterday
THE BODY WAS EXuUMED
examined by a jury summoned by Coroner Chase,
ana regular lnqusltlon proceeded with III secret.
AT the close the reporters were permitted to skim
over
THE EVIDENCE
the first witness called was Frederick Miller OF %
Paramount avenue He testified that when he
reached hatfertys house 1t was half burned down;
ranged tnat If Rafferty, had trleu 10 get out he
couldn't.
Officer Lederer, of the police force. was next
sworn. he testified to being post when the fire
broke out, ana In its vicinity; saw an old man in
Warren street, near Camden about tnree O'Clock IN
the mOrnln2; was not sure 1t was Rafferty,, but
thought SO IRON the description given OF him;
twenty minutes afterwards heard the alarm OF fire;
the man witness saw not very drunk: ne cOuld
take care OF himself anyhow; was by no means so
drunk but that he could have got out or burning
house.
Abraham Farley, OF Is Camden street. next gave
evidence THIS witness testified that ne knew Kaf-
ferty; never saw him much under the influence OF
liquor; IRON the way the old mans house was
fixed 1t would have been impossible Tor HIM TO have
Charles Bergeman testified next Rafferty, had
been In the habit o visiting witness place and pur-
Chasing pint OF ale; was there on Saturday night
at eight O'Clock and bought pint o! ale and
candle.
Some further evidence was taken and rhe jury re-
tired. Alter quite lengthy deilberaton they ar
rived at the following
VERDICT.
THAT Patrick J. Rafferty, came to his DEATH at the
city OF Newark, on the ldtn day july, 1871, at the
hands OF some person or persons unknown to the
jury"
The most intelligent theory of the mystery now 10
that the Old man, VINO was known to be quite wei
OF and never without money on his person, was
first murderously assaulted-aS evidenced by hole
found IN the front part OF the skull yesterday-then
rooDed and driven into his own house. where he
was secured. That arson was supplemented TO the
crime OF murder seems to be beyond doubt A de-
teclve mas been employed TO fe ret out iacs the
case which the inquest failed To bring forth.