The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-07-29
THE JERSEY OUTRAGE.
The Inquest at Creskill, ard Testimony OF
Vim. Mclean, George ByerS, Ann ByeFs,
John Ray and Cesar Cisco
BYERs' BUWGLED BUMCoAIBE
The Verdict of the Jury on the Death
Of Della Corcoran

a young woman, named Della Corcoran, found
noatlng In the Hudson, near Hyler's landing was
resumed yesterday morning, before Coroner Wes-
tervelt at Creski. The inquest progressed very
slowly and would doubtless have occupied several
days had 1t not been for the encouragement given
TO the jury by an Old New York detective officer.
The inquest resulted in committing George Byers
for the action OF the Grand Jury, as being access
sorry to the murder Of Della Corcoran. The follow
ing Is the testimony
Owen Mclean, who resides near the dock at Ex-
celsior Park, was first sworn and testhed.-I have
been passing by George Byers' house for three or
four nights IN week; on one occasion found
George Byers and his wife guarreling; George said
TO his wife that II she didn't keep Della away from
his house he would kill her his wiie) in answer TO
This his wife said that she would kill Della unless
he (GeOrge) kept away from her; George Byers'
house is about three yards rom the river; have
seen George alone in a boat with Della Corcoran;
they
ALWAYS APPEARED FRIENDLY;
last saw them together about week before the
this young woman only what have heard; my
son came home about two O'Clock on Monday
July the bead door was ssSa s
20. George Byers, John Ray and Caesar Cisco; this
was about nine or ten O'Clock; found my son In
his bed about tive O'Clock; was up before twelve
O'Clock and he was not in bed at that time; do
not remember what kind OF nightit was: l could
near George Byers saying ''Shoo;" he was rowing
at the time; John Ray stood up and wanted to
tight; from their actions they must have been in
t0xicated; this was about ten O'Clock.
THE STORY OF A BOATMAN.
Matthew Westervelt. boatman at Alpine, was
next examined His testimony was substantially
the same as his statements to the HERALD reporter
THAT SUNDAY NIGHTS WORK
William Mclean, one OF the prisoners, was sworn
and testfed:-I reside at my fathers house. close
TO the dock; I am twenty -four years OF age;
crossed the river from George Byers' house with
George Byers, Jack Ray, Cesar Cisco and q young
man named John, boatman; do not want to give
George Bycrs proposed going to Yonkers; George
was intending to put me downat the landing above,
30 that | could go home, but instead Of this he
ACROSS THE RIVER;
TO the best OF my belief IL Matthew Westervelt,s
boat; we started between eight and nine O'Clock;
had been at the grove during the day, accom-
panied by john met Byers as was going home;
ne was IN company with John Ray and Caesar
Cisco; this was about seven O'Clock; l turned
with them and went TO Byers' house; there met
drink at his house; it was rum i did not see Della
drink; Byers, Caesar, Ray and drank from the
bottle; had not drank any liquor during the day;
when saw Della she appeared as ii she had been
drinking; she was without hat; John Ray and
over there we all got out ali but the two women
went into corner store; George Byers
ASKED Us TO DRINK
j drank glass Of beer; dido not see him buy a
bottle Of liquor; on going back to the boat we
found the women standing on the shore; John Ray
Byers and the white man John pulled. the boat;
Caesar Cisco sat In the bow it took us about thirty
about that length Of time and crossed again,
reaching tins side about ten O'Clock; 1t probably
where we landed; we went to Byers' house; we
ALL GOT OUT
except George Byers ana Della; there was no
quarrering in the boat; George was singing be-
lieve Della asked George TO pull her up to she
ana they started Mrs Byers d NOT OBJECT to to
George going home with Della; John Ray Caesar
Cisco and Ann Byers proceeded toward their house,
leaving the white man, John, and standing on
the beach; we started up to the schooner by
FOoTPATH ALONG THE BLUFF;
we did not hear the boat on the river; the road
leaves the river bank and DIVORCES into the woods
the schooner was lying at the dock above the
grove; ! went home alter seeing him on board the
schooner; got home about two O'Clock and went
TO bed; found the door unfastened | heard that
Della was missing on Monday evening; was not
very wen acquainted with Dena; I never had
spoken to her before that sunday night; believe
Sn I no cen be- De Of
fired pistol into the air about eight times have
not had any conversation with any Of the parties
who we're on that trip 10 Yonkers,
HIGHLY ''CoLoRED'i STATEMENT.
Cesar Cisco colored, one Of the prisoners was
years OF age; / was at sam Thompson's in the
afternoon; met John Ray and we walked up to
went up to the grove; had drunk OF whiskey;
stayed only few minutes and then went down to
Ray knew George; went up to Myers Hotel; had a
drink OF beer and cigar; then we returned 10
Byers house; William Nc Lean and another Young
white nan joined US at that place; the girl Della
Came soon after; did not know her before;
ONE QUART OF BEER.
Della sent out for some beer, and Mclean, John
hay aud went after it; we took drink at the
hotel all hands took drink on return there
was only quart of beer; Della wanted to go to
YOnkers; George went out and got boat; George,
Ann, Della, John Ray. william Mclean, his friend
and myself got INTO the boat. [The story OF cross
ing the river to Yonkers and the drinking at the
hotel was given substantially as by William
day alter the Fourth OF July.
] FIRED SIX SHOTS
In the air on the return trip; on coming back to
George Byers' house Della and Ann had some
words; ! sat on the porch with Mrs. Byers for
short time after George started up the river with
nx.lsa Ann fhQf had h.a EAra fha
house; after lying there some time awoke about
three O'Clock, and Ann Byers asked us to come in
open; laid down on a bench; heard Georges
voice UPSTAIRS slept until four O'Clock, when John
Which John was employed: we got breakfast r and
then left Tor New York; we got back on wednes-
AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE.
Patrick Carlan, OF Yonkers, a quarryman, testi-
fed to the identity Of the body; he had known
the deceased Tor eleven years. His evidence was
'TIE BOYS WERE PRETTY LUSH"
John Ray, coored, was next examined. He was
stylish fellow, black as ebony. lie testihed:-I
am seventeen years OF age and live at Tenany;
lett home on sunday afternoon and went to Excel.
sior PARK; Caesar Cisco was with me we lett there
and came down to my grandmother Pompey
Browns house; from there we went down to
mony regarding the trip 10 Yonkers was the
same in detail as the last witness
THERE WOMAN IN IT.
Ann Byers wife OF the prisoner, George Byers, was
next examined and TESTIFIED IL am the vile of
George Byers, at Closter Deck; am about % years
of age Della was at my house sunday night,
July 20; she came about five o'clock my husband
came about six O'CLOCK; Della and drank hail.
pint OF whiskey before George came: after my hus-
band came home We had come beer; Della pro.
posed 10 go across the river George got Mr. West
ervelt's boat; we went over 10 Yonkers; Della and
I stool near pile OF brick, while the men went
into beer saloon George drought each OF VI a
glass OF soda water; stayed there twenty mnutes;
we got into the boat 10 return; Della was rather
nushed with liquor, but apparently able to take
care OF herself; we landed just below my house; as
we got near the house,
THERE AROSE DISTURBANCE
between JACK Ray and Billy Mclean, who wanted
TO nght George said that he wanted 10 take Della
home, but would not pull whole boatload up
stream; we all went ashore; George and went
into the house; George locked tue door and
crawled In at the window; nv husband and left
Della with the four men on the beach; remained
outside probably i've minutes alter George went
In