Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-09-27
THE MCCARTHY MURDER.
Trial of Dennis ID. Darden.

DT. W. w. P0ttcT, the coroner, WIS sWOrn. anu
testified that he held an inquest on the body of
John Mccarthy on the 18Th of August last; the
immediate cause of death was loss OF blood from
the cavities of his body.
night Of the homicide, went to the ST. James
Hotel; met Mccarthy, and they took walk;
went to the Rep0blican office; went up stairs and
came down, and walked up 18th street to the
Dickson House and asked for Mr.. Dickson; wit
ness asked Mccarthy to take drink; he took
one; witness took a cigar; they came out and
loon, between 18th and 18th streets, and met a
man by the name of De Mott; got something to
drink, and went to the corner of 18th street
Mccarthy went into the telegraph Office, stayed
went m front of Wizards Hotel; stayed there a
short time in conversation; went down to
street, between 18th and 18th, to the house of
Nellie Milward. Mccarthy WIS talking to her;
came out and went up towards 18th street and
got on the Avenue; then witness first saw Oar
den and James; Mccarthy and witness
were walking close together, and passed
and came up the Avenue towards the Capitol;
met Darden and James in 'front.' of the hair
dIesser's; Darden and Mccarthy got to fighting;
up to McCarthy's head; witness then saw James
with a stone in his hand; witness got behind him
and said " Don't hit him. didn't know who
from him; in the fight barden and McCsrthy
rolled towards the gutter, when witness heard
the snapof pistol, and the voice of Mccarthy
SAYING, Z" All, you are going TO shoot me-" James
got away from him, going towards the curb
stone; witness saw Mccarthy come from the
curbstone to the tree where James was stand
ing; Mccarthy raised his fist to hit James; wit
everything else, when he heard shot OF pis-
tol; Dafden was In the gutter; Mccarthy was
standing near the curb, this SHOT was fired as he
was going to hit james; Mccarthy fell back
wards; witness was looking down towards 18th
street, and heard another shot and three more
making five shots in all; pistol shown witness,)
dom don't know that this is the pistol; can't say how
long apartthe shots were fred; from the time
they first met until all the shets were fred it
was about five or eight minutes; saw Mccarthy
after he was dead; he was picked up and carried
This witness was subjected to q lengthy cross
examination, at the conclusion of which the
court adjourned.
Third Day.
The prisoner was brought into court about 10
O'Clock this morning, when there was a large
crowd OF Spectators present, among whom were
several ministers. -
DR.. J. N. Duncan was the first witness sworn,
lEntwisle's) when the body of Mccarthy was
there; Mccarthy was on the floor, and diving
Witness was present at the post mortem, and
Cross-examined by Mr. Riddle Witness
heard the five pistol shots the three first so rapid
that his impression was that they could not have
been nred SO fast by party who had to cock the
weapon after each discharge.
Darden was present at the time and witness
went up to him and saw that he had several
bruises about the head. and his shirt was bloody.
q very severe encounter.
DR.. George s. Sytrsster, sworn Witness was
on the opposite side of the Avenue when the
took place. Heard what he thought
was the crack OF a whip, bht when he saw no
vehicles thought ii was the explosion of a can:
heard sound of tussle followed by five pistol
shots; saw the crowd surging down to the drug
store; went over found cCarthy diving; his heart
beat for perhaps two minutes after the lungs had
ceased to act Darden had a large amount Of
contusions on the head; sent for leecher and
Cross-eSamined by Mr.. Riddle:-After he had
xamined the body noticed Darden; found that
there was large amount Of blood about the eve,
bruises and abrasiOns on the head: he could
see at that time; appeared perfectly
exhausted probably, from congestion
OF the brain, caused by the blows he had re-
to have been roughly handled. LuIly SAID that
DaIden had grabbed Mccarthy by the ears, and
looked at his ears, but could not see any evil
dence, and also looked at Darden's finger nails
and was satisfied that had he taken Mccarthy
by the ears he would have left marks. Did not
notice any marks or bruises On Dardens hands
Redirect by Judge Fisher:-Witness asked
the body, "Lully, how did this thing occur?''
Judge Humphreys declined to allow witness
directed the witness TO stand aside, but not leave
as he would be recalled. Judge Fisher said he
did not desire to offer any but legal evidence
Judge Humphreys said he was aware of that
Officer John Nielsen Witness at the time was
standing at the corner OF Pennsylvania avenue
and 18th street, talking with officer Peaster;
heard the cry of "polce," and started, the cries
becoming more frequent, ran up; saw three men
tussling; Mccarthy had hold of Darden; a third
man who had been between them ran away
Itness ran in, pulled Mccarthy away, and
showed Darden of; said to Mccarthy, Il arrest
you, and the prisoner fired three shots quick as
possible; took hold of Darden, and he fired the
fourth shot, and when witness had him by both
arms he fired the fifth; he dropped the pistol
which witness identified; he said TO him, "John,
what are you going to do with me?" Witness
answered, 81 am going TO take you TO the sta
ton, !" and asked, "What did you shoot the man
for 2" to which Darden replied by asking, Did
you see me shoot him ?'' and witness said he did
Took him to the drugstore; heard no converse
Darden to stop shooting when the firing com
menced, but he paid no attention. When he
went up he took hold Of Mccarthy and said, {. /
arrest you, and he gave him look of recogni-
non, but made no answer. The shooting was
after this, and witness said stop shooting as soon
rs the first shot was fred. Darden did not sneak
until after he had fired the five shots. MCCARTHY
was facing South and Darden north at the time
Df the first shot, Nice. nearest the building line /
W hen the third shot was fred he ran to Darden,
and lie fired the fourth shot just as witness took
hold OF him by the right shoulder, and when
witness took hold Of both arms from behind he
bred the fifth shot and fell back in witness
arms; witness picked up the pistol; Mccarthy
up against Mrs. Dubois's door; heard
fall after he started with Darden
and looked around and saw McC. lying on his
face.
Cross-examined by Mr.. Riidle-When he was
crossing 18th street came in sight OF the parties;
people were running away just before he got
there; the last one who ran away was the man
IN light clothes; when he first saw them they
were near the curb; Mccarthy was striking
1arden when he first saw them; had heard that
McCaJthy was powerful man in a contest;
DaLden Nas doing nothing but taking the blows
while Mccarthy held hold of him: Mccarthy
was only two or three feet from the two; did not
notice Lully that night until he reached the
station; saw some women running away as he
c. me w. WITNESS here explained. with the aid
OF Mr.. Philips, his position with Darden when
the fourth and fifth shots were fred.I Witness
had looked up some witnesses for this case; was
detailed 10 look up witnesses by Major Richards;
seized Mccarthy first because he had been
pounding DaTden.
, Question. Did you see any disposition to renew
tie combat after You had separated them?
Answer. Nothing more than Darden drawing
his pistol and shooting
The defence objected and excepted to the
ruhng OF the court allowing the question to be
answered.
by Mr.. Riddle.-Saw him draw a pistol or
something and fire; could not prevent him firing
second haPamsQ itxraa too. 4.