The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-07-16
ANOTHER JERSEY TRAGEDY.
Ten Minutes Time Versus g
Mans Life.
u Fearful Fight on the Hackensack 1ridge-A
Canal Boat Captain Murdered by the Ferry
Maher-"i Wish Almighty God Would
Lay Ne Alongside Him"

Not even the swift and sure terrors Of "Jersey
Justice" can control mems passions and prevent
them IRON shedding each others blood. Again was
this truth fesrfully demonstrated yesterday by
deadly rencontre which took place on the plank
road bridge over the Hackensack River on the
Hudson county side, and which resulted In murder.
From q statement made last evening TO HERALD
representative, within stones throw OF the scend
OF the tragedy, by John Degraw, an eye
witness, 1t appears that about three O'Clock
in the aftnrnoon number of canal boats were
waiting to pass into the lock alongside the bridge
and wordy wrangle took place between Captain
Eugene Atno OF the Hugh Cassidy. and Thomas
Finn, the ferry master long employed at the
place. Atno wanted to get his boat through
quickly and in order to facilitate matters for hts
own boat and the others waiting, 'unhinged"
or unlOosed one end OF boat known
as the 'crazy line craft,r and called
Tor bowne 70 fasten the other end. boat
commanded by Joe Morgan entered the lock be-
fore the "crazy-ine" boat had got out OF the
way and Atno's manpuvres irritated Finn. Angry
words were interchsnged aud finally both
cnched. man named Dempsey hav-
ing an iron bar in his hand ran up and
tried to separate the combatants, but with
out success. Degraw saw the fight and
ran mp too but just as he got to
and seemed 20 make terrible effort to cry for
help but sank voiceless and almost pulseless under
Degraw's feet. He died In about ten minutes time.
Firms list did the work. No weapon whatever was
used. One terrific blow against poor Amos main
neck cord had Just the same effect AZ If the brain
had been crushed or the heart pierced.
THE DEAD NAN WAS CARRIED INTO THE MURDERER's
HOUSE.
by Degraw, the house being right on the bridge.
Finn realized at once the awful situation In which
his mad passion had placed him. He wrung his
hands and cried IN tones OF deep anguish 81 wish
that God would lay me alongside him Oh,n he
added 'if God VIII only spare me will never raise
hand against mortal again." DIR. wilkinson, OF
Jersey CITY, arrived soon after, too late howe yer,
10 be OF the slightest assistance as Atno had ceased
to live some time before. Finn sprang in the doc
tors wagon and went with him TO Jersey City, and
delivered himself to the officers oil the Fourth pre-
cinct.
FINN AND HIS VICTIM.
Finn Is rather wel-ooking man, OF about forty
two years OF age He has wife and three or fonr
children. The canal boat men, when asked what
sort OF man generally was he, hesitated to give
One man remarked that there ewas mo use In
pouring water on q drowned ratn Atno, the MUIR
d 5 man, was "a fne, strapping young fellow.
respectfully connected He owned his own boat,
and was spoken Of by his companions
even afIectionate terms Fortunately he leaves no
family. He was about twenty-four years OF age.
His father is well-to-do storekeeper in Morris
county. The body was removed last evening to
Jersey City, where it was received by Coroner John
Mahan and the jury, selected by Constable Lang
WORTHY, hs INCONSISTENCIES keenan, CnarleS Tier,
Henry Dickinson, X. X. Gadd, John White John
r. Jackson, Thomas Kerwin, Abram p. Bush, vii.
liam Hughes, J. e. Westendell, Enos Pyle and
ton will be held this morning, and
the inquest this evening at halfpast
seven O'Clock. John Fogarty, Joseph Morgan, J. w.
Dimmock, Patrick Morlarty, John Dempsey and
John Degraw, all canallers present at the scene
on the bridge, were taken into custody and held
at the Fourth precinct as witnesses The point OF
the bridge where the fatal ARRAY took place ia just
few rods over rom the Essex county line 80 that
County Physician Dodd and Coroner Vreeland, Of
Newark, are barely spared most unpleasant
dufy