New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-07-18
BLOODY OPENING OF THE WEEK
JEALOUSY AND MURDER

tions. several years past Albert Meyers,
German drayman, twenty-three years old
has been living close neighbor to and in til
family of Michael F. Rodgers, formerly
river man and recently engaged in draying
and at one time keeper of a grocery ol
Cont street, his wife attending to tn
store. Rodgers and family at present re
side at No. 354 Common street, near Clai
borne market, but the wife, about TIVE
weeks ago left the house, in consequence O
quarrel raised by her husband, who ac
cused her of intidelity to him.
Rodgers has repeatedly, she asserts, in
directly charged her with too much free
dom with another, and the subject was
matter of scandal in the neighborhOOC
among old women of both sexes. On one
occasion the wife suggested to the husband
hattie should send Myers away, but Rodgers
refused, saying that if the gossips would
talk about other peoples business he would
keep him there. Until a short time age
Myers was employed by Rodgers to drive
one of his drays and finally Myers agreed
to purchase the horse and vehicle for three
monthly, which was agreed to-
| Not many days ago Rodgers, in a fit OF
| jealousy, drove his wife forth, when she
took refuge in the dwelling OF relative on
Common street, near her home 1t appears
that Rodgers either kept sharp lookout
or had spies, for he ascertained that young
Myers slept in the same building Saturday
and Sunday nights. This knowledge added
flame TO his furious and Jealous temper, so
that early yesterday morning he sought
Myers as he was about starting off with his
cart from an alley on Magnolia street, and
without word of warning commenced
| shooting at him with Smith a. Wesson
pistol, three bullets taking effect in his
body. and either one of which would have
caused death. The only words uttered by
the victim were: Mr. Rodgers, don't ="
Falling at the first shot. in death agony, he
was unable to speak or act. The infuriated
man fired two balls into deceased after he
was PROSTATE. Myers lived not more than
five minutes after receiving the wounds.
Firing the last load in his pistol, Rodgers
ran into the house where his wife was. and,
taking her by the arm forcibly, told her to
go out and see her paramour then dying.
The following testimony obtai1ed by Cor
oner Creagh tells the details OF the tragedy:
Coroner Creagh, with Deputy Coroner
Long, reached the scene, perhaps, half an
hour after the murder was committed. and
proceeded TO impannel jury. Messrs r.
L. Whyte, William White, James S. Butler,
John t. Luddy and c. L. Garcia were
sworn in. DR.. j. B. Cooper was also called.
and, assisted by the physician from the
Charity Hospital, held a post mortem ex-
animation.
One ball entered straight into the right
side of the back between the eighth and
ninth ribs, penetrating the lower lobes of
both lungs. Another entered the back on
the left of the vertebral column, about the
first lumbar vertebra, perfora ting the intes-
tines in three places, and passing out on
the left side, about four inches above the
left lilac bone. The third ball entered the
left hip, perforated the left lilac bone. and
was found loose in the intestines. Death
was produced in about five minutes.
The following testimony was heard by the
jury:
Mrs. Harriet NJ. Rodgers residing at the
corner of White and Common streets.
sworn, said-Monday morning. about six
o'clock, Albert Myers came here to get his
breakfast; after taking his breakfast I
opened the gate to let him out; he went to
the head OF the mule, and as quick as he
did so saw Mr.. Rodgers; the mule and
cart had been driven into the alley when
Myers came to take his breakfast: | saw
Rodgers coming from Magnolia street run
ming toward the deceased; | heard Albert
say, "Mr. Rodgers, don't" | saw him shoot
once; | pulled the gate to and heard the
report OF the pistol two or three times then
ran; he then came, followed me to the door. |
caught me by the arm and told me, Come
out OF here; I'm not agOing to hurt YOU:
come and take your paramount: he brought |
me out as far as the gate and the officer |
went with him; when we reached there Mr.. |
l';US Rodgers, pointing to Albert. said
There he Isl" have known the !
deceased for seven years; l never
employed him except occasionally; | |
have heard Albert Myers own father
and mother say to him, IN make Mr.
Rodgers shoot you" have often talked TO
Mr.. Rodgers about him, and said that the
neighbors talked SO much that we had bet
ter let Albert go; he said, oh the neigh
bors I'll keep him for spite" Mr. Rodgers
came here yesterday he said to my daugh-
ter, Mrs. Ryder, "Can / see your mother 2"
She replied, Yes" and called me when |
came down he said to my daughter, .ELizzie.
did not come to fuss with you at ALL
came to ask q few questions of your
mother; )" he then said to me, Harriet,
where did you sleep last night :" | said.
Here )" he said, You wasn't here at 9
} 'clock-nor at 12;" | said to him, "Mr.
Rodgers, l wasn't out of this house since
me O'clock in the daytime y he then asked
ne If did make the shirt that Albert had
IN; told h:m l did, he asked me who
authorized me to make clothes for him:
old him had to work for any one who
would give me sewing; that was all
hat passed; he said that would do,
md got up and walked out: when
he shot was fired | saw Albert tall back:
!e was In the act of getting on his cart when
he shot was fired; Rodgers after he brought
ne to the gate, said: There's your lover"
have been married to Mr.. Rodgers eleven
ears; he has been jealous since we were
narried, and has often accused me, but of
70 particular person; didn't leave him: he
ut me cut of the house; this was at the
orner of White and Cont streets: two
7eeks ago l got up and was too sick to cook
he breakfast; he said: "Here's money. 90 |
0 Market" and handed me four bits: /
-as weak, and sat down; he said: Leave
ere" calling me foul name; asked him
hat l should take, and he said: Nothing
ut your Clothes" he said: ''l'll admit YOU
elped to earn the place, but you shall not
ave id cent"
Mrs. F. C. Stromberg, who resides next +
oor, said: Monday morning | heard a :
not in the alley in the rear of my premises I
nd went to the back gate; before / could
pen it heard another one; then l ran into {