New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-08-19
THE JERSEY CITY MYSTERY
CoRoNER's INQUEsT-FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS
KEROSENE ON TIE PREMISES

teation yesterday afternoon In the Gaze OF hcdhee Dr
rancey. and the other victims OF the Jersey c1y nre'
There large number Of persons present. iciuhns
the wife and child OF Durancey the father OF mcGheeaho
several agents and lawyers representing the insurance
companies interested In the matter.
Hugh Mulgan testified: live ut No "a montgomery
st.; before working for Durancey & McGhee was en-
plOycd at COgate's factory before that was WIN
Duranccy horseshocing in Bergen and then went 70
hotel with him in Bayonne Grove; was with him at the
corner Of York and Hudson-sts and afterward AT the
corner Of Montgomery and Washingtonsts where
have been since the 1st Of May; Mr.. McGhee Joined
Durancey about NewYear's; last Sunday saw MeGhee
between and o'clock in the afternoon, when no re-
manned hour and half I'm the store, OF outside
smoking; next saw him between and p M, coming
up from the erry afterward about o'clock he was IN
front OF the door, when went to supper he tended
bar for me came back about 20 minutes 10 y did not
see him between and 10 o'clock saw HIM after
ward Durancey and McGhee were not In the store TO-
gether during the day. there are two entrances TO @
whether there was kerosene there only know that on the
9th this month John H. McGhee drove mp 10 inc store
in wagon with three barrels; the man Who took them
down the cellar noticed paint on his clothes when
coming out and said, this id stuff smells IKE kero
s sSnS aiterWard asked Mr. MeGhoc what he
going to do with kerosene, to which ne MADE
and he replied That ID rascaps father Sola NJ NC
hce) hought them my name. and nave got 70 Keep
them" MI Durancey also told me that JohuH McGhee
was taking money from him; he repeated tne accusation
|
the cellar at the time of the fire the stock was in good
order both partners bought the stock ana poth TOOK
charge of the money did not know OF chatel mort
gage never heard Durancey say be would Kill McGhee
Il hs crossed his path Duranoey had been DRINKING on
besides emptyng bottle of brandy before parting with
he told rue TO be up carly IN tue morning. 70 open 1n9
heard the OF the explosion thought the evening
before smeiied gas place there were 10 gas
burners in the establishment, Including the ore IN the
cellar did not see the bill for the kerosene was i9t
it kerosene AT all Mr. aud Mrs DuIancey dia
not live together; he visited her about three TINES
week. and paid for the support OF the family saw ar:
| the hre know what highwnes are we only had them
for customer IN Railway; never mixed liquors Oh
Dr. Mitcnel Assistant County, Physician testified TO
having made post-mOrtcn examination of tbc bodies
OF McGhee and Durancey in his opinion both men diea
was bIOken part OF 1t was gone-a potion about an
inch in diamctyr Duranccy had ON Two shirts, iedt
and white one; the latter was rolled up above the
| elbows.
about II minutes past u o'clock when ne explosion
took place Mr.. Gafley and | were talking; neither
on Montgomery-st was blown the street caught
Mr. Gahney By the shoulder; saw woman at the win,
and another removed her out OF the building; saw but
o'clock Mr.. McGhee standing near me on the ZANE
side Of the street ;'nether poAe should judge saw
feet his he going toward York-st.; did
not see McGhee aIterward ga hoG notice u hght, nor
hear any noise in the store after the fire broke ont
told there two men in the cellar broke in
flames when saw MeGhoc he fully dressed,
a white hat, and was coming toward me stood near
left the corner for short time to what hour il was
McGhce and Mr.. Gafney saw Mr. Mct!Gee Standing not
than % feet from the first exp osi0n like
sharp crack and Immediately the whole building was in
flame; there was no ss Ike Whatever; the second ex
posOn not so loud McGhee had on light pantaoons
and vest, dark coat and light hat don't think could
| be mistaken as 10 the man It was three minutes
after the exploson when heard somebody say thole
two men in the cellar; think II impossible that
two could have been seen IN the cellar from the
Duranceys little son was next called and questioned a.
10 the nature Oh an odth ne niue hoy IN reply sad
| an unruth and would 20 10 bad place when he died
lie sworn dnd testified: Live with my mother; went
TO the store and remained there with liughcy tho bar
tender; father came in and took up to sxthFt We
came back again, and soon father went over TO New
cS 10 his room before he went TO Ncw-Yor before he
went away he said Tommy, you'd better 20 home and
tod me 20 dress, and told me of the explosion he took
home In the morning; IN the evening saw nobody
down to the cellar but Jimmy Burns when Hughey
up he asked me war father there there plenty
TO bring cider; Jimmy would always bring up the
! ice and other things Jimmy lives IN Safest. New
York; was asleep when Hughey came to the room;
not crying but cried when he told me The place
Mrs Durancey widow Of the deceased, testified Did
not my husband last Sunday, but him the Friday
previous never heard him say he had kerosene The
premises, nor did he speak about any intention Of dssoly
ing partnerships he did not complain of business affairs
the night of the Dire Hughcy and Tommy came TO aud
Hnghey tod NE not to lt tommy out ~ me whole Place
fire; that the first heard of the explosion
James Wakefield believed the explosion was from
John Whitaker testified: Heard the explosion and 40
entered the hall OF e building but could see moth
ing of the partition DeWecnlf ana the bar the woman
that fell from the window d cUped at my feet; and
another took her and removed Ttl am certain that
the explosion came from the store lOOr
William Commerce testified: About II O'clOck<on sun
day night, while going down Montgomery PERCEIVED
the smell of and as approached DuTancey's page,
the smell became worse; when arrived opposite the
strle tDe such WAS bad that and my friends were
obliged go TO the Other side OF the street. saw Mr..
Durancey az the time speaking with another man.
Henry Smith testified Reside IN Jersey City; was pass
ng down NVItgoueryst. about 10 O'clock % the build
ing occupied by Durancey McGntt; saw M'Ghee stand,
ing outside reside in the building with my wife and
mother and five others OF the family lost wife,
nephew and niece by the explosion only escaped my
self with greatest diculty; identified relatives
when they were laid ont DuranCey never advised me
nor my mother property; the partition be-
tween the hall and the store only wooden one do
know whether there any pasterng on the store
side
Several other witnesses examined, hut nothing
new was elected and a C5 o'clock the inquest adj
jOurned 10 Monday at 10 a. IN.
Capt McGhee, father OF Duranceys partner, insists
that his met with foul play His theory That Du-
rancey got McGhCc into the store and murdered him,
and that he then SET IRE 10 the house and had not time to
escape the flames that he originated himself. The old
man exhibits "a letter, returned from the postOihce,
which he sent 10 lis the morning prior ~ the
pluuu ielcsing $780, and eDtgeatng MIN 10 dissolve
partnership at any cost, Duranccy was had man.