The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-06-15
THE JERSEY CITY MURDER.
Trial Of James Cooney for the Murder Of Roberi
Gallagher-A Night of Horror in Nor
gan Street Tenement House-Al2th E<
Of July Reminiscence.

James COoney placed on trial before Judge
Bedle in Jersey City yesterday for the murder OF
Robert Gallagher on the 5th OF May last. District
Attorney Garretson prosecuted, ana the prisoner
was defended by Norman l.. Rowe.
The following jury was empanelled flames
Burke, Michael Corbett Michael Hail, Peter Hapin,
John Jordan David A. Kephor, Nicholas G. Lindner,
Diedrch Muller, william Murray Patrick II. MI
gent, John Newkrk and Patrick Corrgan.
The prisoner is about thlrty-nye years OF age,
thick set and of loose build OF dogged though not
mischievous disposition and evidently disposed TO
spare himself from hard labor. His intelligence Ia
of that low order common to the slums. He never
raised his eyes during the progress of the case
The following testimony OF Mrs. Nancy Gallagher,
widow OF the murdered man, gives the full details Of
the crime -
In May last lived at l27 Morgan street; knew
aud stated there with US for six weeks until went
10 the country: saw him ON the 4th OF May last he
came In, shook hands with my husband, said he was
going to his boarding MISTRESS sisters wake; asked
my husband to go. my husband said he was too
tired; then he asked my husband to go down stairs
minutes, ami returned alone: said Cooney had gone
to the wake; IL was about nine O'Clock when
next morning got mp and left my family OF a boy,
girl and my husband asleep; commenced to kin
die the lire, and ut about eight O'Clock James
Co0ney came IN; he asked me where Robert was;
l said he was not up yet; Cooney went and
awakened him. husband got mp and dressed him
self, then went TO the closet, got some
Of it; Cooncy then lay down on the floor
and went 10 sleep, having requested MS to
arouse him In time 10 go to a funeral at two
O'Clock; awakened him ut about one O'Clock, and
we had dinner at hali-past one O'Clock; Cooney
about five O'Clock in the evening he returned;
J asked him II he had gone to the funeral: ne
sad no; my husband and Cooney sat and .n talked
him and went 10 bed; Cooney had wanted Robert
TO bring quart OF ale; Robert said that a pint
was enough, and went ana brought It; when
Robert saw me going TO bed Robert told C00ney
IT was time for him to go home; Cooney said
he would go when he got ready and that
he had no notion Of going to his own board
ing house, at about ten minutes to twelve
O'Clock my daughter aroused me, saying that
words; ! got up and went to the Kitchen
door; saw the two men standing In tho room;
told him that II he didn't go home he would put
him down stairs James told Robert to keep hands
OF, II he didn't he would be sorry :or It;
next thing | saw was COoney going for
my husband, and he stabbed him, and when
he had done it he said, How is that for the
coonf" my husband looked In the looking glass and
saw his face, 'oh, James Cooney,' said he II
Ike to me- sent the boy for doctor ana my girl
for a policeman: Cooney said II was only scalp
wound ana he would go for the doctor;
stairs that be left his coat and hat behind
him. my husband took or his shirt himself and fell
SAID, ION, kOpcrl, get your arms afOuno me let
me help You to the bed;' did not get him into
bed he fell by it's side: lie complained OF pain In
| his heart a stranger suggested that he had been
1 hurt elsewhere, and ! unbuttoned his shirt and
found a wound in his side and his bowels protruding
/ there were three wounds: cannot tell how many
! times Cooney stabbed him, for the sight left my
eyes at about quarter to one some officers came
and carried him ON a stretcher to the hospitals
stayed with him until he died. on Wednesday morn
ing at two O'Clock; there was difficulty between
COoney and my husband In July OF last year, one
! Sunday afternoon: COoney was swearing and my
j 90 onfd bu
did not care for any Orange - like him; Robert
said he was no Orangenlan, bnt he was OF the
same religion anyhow: Cooney said Robert was
~ liar, and that the papers the wall showed 10
CoOney challenged my husband ont TO the sidewalk
to fight COoney raised little Ratchet, and cried
out, 'Oh. James CoOney, are You going to commit
murder y only caught hold or him he would have
murdered my husband that night.
After examining the physicians the Coroner and
the son and daughter OF deceased the District
Attorney closed the for the State. Tie Court
then adjourned till this morning.