Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-08-15
CAUSE OF THE .sPF.sIR.
Antecedents Of the Principals.

Antecedents Of the PRINCIPALS.
Washington was startled last night by des-
perate ARRAY on Pennsylvania avenue, between
two weIl-known sporting men, John Mccarthy
and Dennis II. Darden, the former of whom was
fatally shot during the melee by the latter. 1t
appears that about 10 O'Clock, Mccarthy, in
company with Anthony Lulley, left Godfrey's
saloon, on street, and passing down the ave
nue., turned mp nth street, and thence along the
south side of street, when they were passed by
Darden, who made no remark. Mccarthy ane
Lulley then passed down 18th street, and thence
along the avenue, and when near the corner Of
Eth street they were met by Darden, who vas
ACCOMPANIED by VIM. +. James. There had been
some ifl-feelng, IL Il stated, between Mccarthy
and Dsrden, ON account of the alleged agency
OF the former in having the gambling houses
rAided on by the police last winter. At any rate,
when they encountered, as above stated, Oar
den walked deliberately up to Mccarthy and
SEIZED HIM BY THE EARS
Mccarthy struck him, and they eliRched and
several blows were exchanged. Policeman
Nelson, who was about a hundred yards eff,
heard the noise Of the conflict and fastening to
the scene, seized Mccarthy, who appeared
10 have the advantage of Darden. Darden
fred three shots into Mccarthy while the
latter was held by the policeman, when
the arms, and while attempting to hold him he
tDsrden) fred one or two shets more, emily one
the last shot, staggered across the pavement to
The door Of a house, where he fell, saying
al AN KILLED"
He was taken up at once and conveyed into En-
twiste's drug store, on the corner OF 18th street
and the Avenue, the blood flowing from his
wounds in streams. He was in the drug store
only three minutes when he breathed his last.
Offeer Nelson also took Darden, who was badly
hurt about the head, into the drug store, and he
was there when his victim died. Drs. Sylvester
and Duncan had been su,nnosed in the mean
time, and on their arrival they examined the
body and found that life was extinct. The body
vas pierced with four balls, and MIR. Mccarthy
BLEED TO DEATH
before the physicians arrived. The body wore a
Rhastly appearance, the white clothing in which
IL vas dressed being saturated with blood. Two
OF the shots were fred with the muzzle of the
and blaekened by the powder. While the body
OF Mccarthy was lying on the floor OF the drug
store,
Q woman with whom his name was connected in
. late trial before the Criminal Court, was adj
united, and her SOS and cries indicated genuine
distress at his untimely taking of. During the
progress OF the affair a large crowd had assem-
bled, and there was great excitement. 1t re-
sembled in many respects the scene the night
" Sonny" James was shot by HOratio Bolster.
The streteher used by the police Tor such pur-
poses was brought into the store beside the
corpse. The deceased was placed thereon, and
carried by ten police officers 30 the central
guard house. Anticipating that the remains
were TO be taken TO that station, large crowd
made way thereto, and at once the entrances
were blockaded, and with difficulty clearance
taken TO the east room Of that police precinct
and deposited therein
THE WEAPONS.
Near the scene OF the murder two pistols were
picked up. One a small Derringer loaded and
the other five-barrelled revolver, OF the Adams
pattern, the contents of which had been dis
charged. IL is known that the Adams pistol
mas the property of Darden, and the weapon
used by him. The other pistol has not been
identified. Some say that il was the property OF
Mccarthy, and that during the scufie the de-
rR1aRd al in ivhf han ND With tf,,
butt Of II inflicted the wounds received by Oar
den.
DARDEN AND HIS WOUNDS.
Darden's forehead gives evidence that he
was badly beaten He was taken, as above
stated, into Entwistle's drugstore, and sub
sequently was taken to the central guard
house, where DR.. Sylvester rendered medical
aid. Later, he was removed 10 cell. Darden
Il well known in the city. His first business en-
terprise was as a druggist on the corner of 9Th
and III streets. but which, several years ago he
abandoned He served in the confederate army
during the war with Mosby's command. Upon
the close OF the war he returned 10 Washington.
Recently he opened a gambling saloon over
Booker & Stewards barber-shOp, on Z street,
near the National Theater. Latterly, he became
associated in partnership with the late .'Son''
james, Who was killed by Bolster and TO whom
james addressed his last words ssDennis i am
shot" He looks 20 be about thrty-six years OF
age, is a man of short, and thick stature, and
rather progressing in personal appearance.
JOHN MCCARTHY
was about fOrty-fOur years OF age, and was a
man OF very fine appearance. He came to this
city from New York about the commencement
OF the war He was engaged more or less in
trsfheking with the army and as a substitute
broker, but known and recognized as a gambler
and sporting man. He was invariably neatly
dressed, and in all his habits was fast and ex-
pensive. His address a good one, and
although an ignorant man he was an adept in
ingratating himself into the favor of those whose
associations were better than his, so much so in
fact that during the last two three years of his
life he has been quite active among the lobby
lists around the halls OF Congress. For various
reasons, some three years since, he began 10
break away from his Immediate friends among
the gamblers They had reason TO suppose thar
he entered into an unfriendy alliance against
of Police, and they believed he was instrument
tai in causing several arrests OF the gamblers to
be made. On this account
DEADLY FEUD
was created between the gamblers and McCar-
thy, and by many il Il alleged that some of
them, in consequence of the suspicion that he
had prompted the raids on them last winter, re-
sorted TO every means within their power TO
make trouble for him, going even 80 lar as TO
prompt his arrest for stealing money from one
DelOs c. Ball, and furnishing means for his
prosecution II will be recollected, il Is so re-
cent, that he was convicted of this crime. and
afterwards secured, through the efforts OF his
counsel, Judge Moore, a new trial. and, pro-
curing bail, he was free man again. Since
that time he has been comparatively quiet
spending good portion Of his time at the St
James Hotel. IL is possible that during yester-
and il may be that the fatal encounter last night
was the result OF words which had passed be-
tween them earlier in the day.
The CorOner's Inquest.
80 an early hOCr this morning quite a crowd
assembled at the Guardhouse TO get a view of the
bog, among them Nellie MillWard. Numbers
OF the friends Of the accused also called. Adj
mission TO the interior OF the prison was, how
ever, refused TO all save the medical gentlemen
and brother of the prisoner, who was allowed
but few minutes to speak with him. Darden
was confined in one OF the cells, and his face was
much disagured this morning, especially about
the eyes, which were 50 much swelled that he
was scarcely able to see.
The body Of deceased, which had remained In
Ice during the night, was removed to one of the
rear rooms of the building, where Drs. j. F.
Hartigan, Sylvester and Duncan held the post
norton examination, which they completed
about 10 O'Clock.
DIR. W. W. Potter, the Coroner, was early on
hand, and Sergeant Vernon having summoned
the following Jurors, they were sworn, and the
inquest was proceeded with w. G. Harper
lforeman,) Henry Peakes, A. DuvaT, K w.
Barker, L H Hopkins, W. j. Lowe, i. G.
Coombs. j. Sondelehr, G. ID. Young, III. ID. Bot
eler, j. W. HAYS, A. Il. Naughty.
Mr.. A Il. Williams appeared for the accused
who was brought in with James and took a seat
near the coroner.
OFFICER JOHN z. NELSON
was krst sworn, and testified that about II o'clock
last nighthe was at the corner OF 18th street. and
heard the cry OF police; ran towards 18th street
n. D. -.