The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-08-09
THE GIN-MlLL HOMICIDE.

Inc SUNDAY morning Death struggle I'm
Forty-second Street Between Coleman
and Reagan-Thc Inquest Ycstcrday-
Verdict OF Justihable Homicide.
The details Of the killing Of Richard Coleman by
Charles Reagan, proprietor of q grogshOp In West
Forty-second street, on Sunday morning last, have
already appeared in the HERALD. The shooting of
Coleman occurred while he and one william John.
son were IN the premises of the liquor seller who
was violating the law by having his place open and
dispensing the vile decoct0ns that tend to excite
the most violent passions of the drinker.
Coroner Young on Monday made Investigations
and found that the evidence of johnson was very
necessary in rendering verdict; hence he delayed
the inquest until yesterday to enable him to secure
1nhnson'a attendance.
The Coroner opened the investigation at halfpast
ten A. NJ by calling William Johnson, Of SOC West
Forty-third street, who said IL have worked with
Coleman in the Knickerbocker Ice Company; am
slightly acquainted with Reagan; and Coleman
entered Reagan's saloon about half-past two; Cole
man wanted drink; he was drunk; took him to
his own door; he refused to go into his house ;
then went to Reagans Reagan and he quarrelled
about prize fight; he called Reagan filthy names;
Reagan told him TO take drink and
go home; they ,quarrelled some; Reagan came
he was growing and hallooing and struck at the
barr Reagan got hold of him; Reagan let 60 and ran
In to wake up the barkeeper; l sat down, when
saw him make at Reagan again; when the shot was
fired Reagan and Coleman were clinched about
each others necks; before the shooting Reagan
saw something in Coeman's hand but can't say il
was knife; Coleman was very disorderly, and
Coleman had knife; after the shooting
Coleman pulled open the two large doors that were
Reagan, Coleman and were the only ones present;
Coleman struck Reagan first; Reagan did all in
go out quietly saw dranR once be
fore after Coleman went out Reagan went out
also; after the shot was fred saw blood on Rea-
Henry McGrath, barkeeper for Reagan testified
never saw Coleman until about three A. NJ. Sun
day after the shot was fred; deceased then SO
drunk he would not know his way home; Reagan
wnkened me up; told me there was man in the
room going to murder him; he was then bleeding;
the store wants to murder me-come out quick; p
said, %,You are oeeding;' he replied,
the shot was fired before got out;
Reagan was standing near the screen In
heard prisoner twice say, "Let me go;" Reagan
called to me to open the door and put him out;
unlocked the door, when deceased ran out; Offcer
Timmons passed just then aud Reagan ran ont and
told him he was stabbed; have been with Reagan
three months; never knew him to quarrel; he Is
very peaceable; saw Johnson standing outside
the door by the railing; TimmOns brought Coleman
up near the door Of Reagan's saloon about twenty.
five minutes after; did not hear Coleman speak.
about three A. NJ. prisoner called to her that he
was stabbed and that there was O man going to
murder him; heard noise, but am not sure
shot was fired; he was weak then; has had hem
orrhage OF the lungs and has been under medical
attendance some time; did not notice anyone in
the store when went ont, was so excited.
James nmmons, the officer W no arrested Reagan,
testified that when he reached Reagans door he
was bleeding and said he had been stabbed after
hunting yard in the rear with Reagan we found
man down near Eleventh avenue, lying In an
alleyway; he said he had been shot by Reagan;
assisted him mp to Rcagan's; told prisoner he
must go to the station house; two men came
along; Reagan asked them to help me, and he
walked TO the station house, while we carried de-
ceascd IN the station house he identified Reagan;
searched both men and found no weapon on either
OF them; nave Known Reagan five years, and he has
the reputation OF being peaceabe and quiet man.
Reagan, the prisoner, on being sworn, sad-I re-
side az 55l West Forty-second street, where
keep saloon; Coleman and Johnson came In,
asked for drinks. used vile language, calling vile
names &c. | asked Coleman to NO out: he refused;
then offered him drink to go out; as was going
round the bar TO put him out he said he would kill
me, and stabbed me; then ran In and told my sis
ter ana barkeeper; when / came out again. he
again attacked me, when fired with no intention
OF kiling him 1t was to save my own life; was
stabbed IN the head; was trying TO get away from
him when fired the shot; he then had me around
the neckj fired the shot to Brighten him, intend
ing that the ball would 90 aside, but he moved
around and the ball entered his body.
THIS closed the evidence In the case, when the
coroner briefly charged the jury, who without leav
ing the box returned a verdict Of justhab!c hon.
tcide, and were discharged.
On motion OF Mr.. Hnmmel, the Coroner at once
discharged the accused. much to the delight OF
large number or who were In attendance.