The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-08-01
THE COULSON MYSTERY.
An Investigation as to the Cause of the Death of
James Coulson Commenced by Coroner
Kessler Yesterday-Important Testi-
mony as to the Finding of tho Pa
pers and Envelope on the Body.

Aessler Xesterday-1mportant Testi-
mony as to the Finding of the Pa
pers and Envelope on the Body.
Mr.. Coroner Kessler yesterday opened an investi-
cation Of the Coulson mystery. The inquiry was
held at the Coroner's Office. Before any evidence
was taken Coroner Kesser said that In conse-
quence OF the Identification Of the body of the late
Mr.. Coulson he had deemed 1t advisable to take
further testimony, and II there were any indica-
lions given OF a cew to the cause of death he
would call the jury together again and reopen the
inquest. The following evidence was taken, and It
will be seen that the last witness makes some very
Important statements, from which it will appear
that the only examination II was thought neces-
sary to make of the body was to strip and look at
the legs. According to this testimony, also, tho
Jury who rendered the verdict were never shown
the papers found on the body of the deceased nor
did the Coroner know their contents before he
closed the inquest.
TESTIMONY OF MR. DAVENPORT
Reuben b. Davenport being sworn said--I live at
s5s Atlantic avenue, Brooklyn, and am connected
with the New York press; have known Mr. Coulson
over two years-ever since his connection with the
HERALD began; was intimately acquainted with
him; last saw him alive on Wednesday, 2sth
nst. ; left him between five and six O'Clock,
near West Broadway, corner OF Greene and
Canal; l was with him since three in the
afternoon; we met on board the City Of
Chester, IN the saloon; he was in his
usual good health and spirits; we remained until
about five O'Clock, and we left the steamer together
at that time: We walked down Canal street; a
Broadway car was passing up town. and he went
toward 1t as If to get on board that was the last
saw of him, and then went down town; he told
me during the afternoon that he was detailed to
write up report about the City Of Chester for the
HEnALD when we left he said nothing, but went
way car; passed on, knowing that the car would
take him near his home; think l said '.Good
night;' my first att ention was called TO his being
missing on Friday morning; was at the HERALD
onlce and made inquiries for him; spoke TO the
city ee EDITOR advised Mr. Byr 1%, To make
inquiries at Police Headquarters about him
were eo made Ge ' had on Friday s'' morning Hrss
formed no impression as to the cause of his disap
Happened to him; when I lett him he was 81 in :
condition adequate to finding his way home; he
was quite rational In his conversation; Mr.. Coul-
son. to my knowledge, was not in the habit OF
getting intoxicated during the three four
months preceding his disappearance; he OCCASION
and always good hnmOred after taking glass; he
was never quarrelsome; when we parted he did
talking usual when last | saw him; his
manner was not such as to give offence: he had
went to the once and was there about half am
hour after left him; do not remember then
speaking to any one about Mr.. Couson; Mr.. Coul-
son never expressed any intention or desire to
commit suiede his temperament was exactly the
opposite TO sucha condition OF mind, being rather
Charles A. Ryrns was sworn and examined, but
his testimony was unmportant.
TESTIMONY OF PETER N0oNE.
Peter NOone being sworn ssd-I live at 274
First avenue drive the city hearse; have been
driving the wagon from the 18th OF October; take
the c0rpses up and bring them to the Morgue; the
fact OF bodies being found Is photographed from
headquarters to the nearest station house; they
faIA Nv EaIln Gryn tand I'm
system is that Mr.. Kellogg sends me up as soon
possible to do the work; take all to the Morgue
found always mark the bodies and tell the keeper
where they came from; when ascertain the name
Tie 5od anybody knows IT, when
the body Is decomposed we don't take photo
graph; description OF the clothes is taken; after
the body Is decOmposed more so where 1t IS rough
water; my experience this Summer with bodies
is that when they are In the water several days
they dec0mpOsed; only about twenty corpsea
this Summer have been in good condition after
weather you can scarcely identify body by the
features; ] took the papers from the body known
as james Couls0n.
The witness was asked what he knew OF this par
Coroner Kesser objected to the man Noone Civ.
ing his evidence IN the case, he having been Juror
The gentleman who examined the witness
asked the Coroner whether there vas any objection
to the witness being examined informally.
Coroner Kessler,-I object to anything which Is
NOT strictly legal, ana IL Is not Technically proper
for juror In case being examined as Awitnesa
IAN we want, Coroner, Is to get as,the truth
This man gave you the papers, and THIS point Is
precisely the one We are trying to clear up; there
lore, 1t might De well to let the matter proceed
The man Noone was then informally examined.
The witness proceeded
The papers took were a bunch of cards for q
benefit, and also number OF sheets OF note paper
written upon; when at the dock pat them on the
body; at the Morgue gave them to Mr.. Kessier,
and he tol6 me to let them dry. and put them ON
the desk; Mr. Kesser then told me 20 go back and
see whether could find anything more.
The witness Identified the letter and the tickets.
Iesumed-I then left the things there and went
away; the Coroner only looked at the body,
DR.. Ieo.--when nobody was there went in and
lifted the pants on the legs and saw no marks Of
Question you strip ,he other parts or:the
body 70 examneits
Dr. Leo-No.
Q. 60 witness Noonep-How many bodies were
there in the Norgue at the time
wtness-Fve. l Was Juror on two inauests,
Mr.. COuson's and another; the inquest was held
On saturday night; the papers were on the desk,
to the Jury; ! did not see them submitted; the
Coroner saw them; the letter could not te easily
read; the base bali tickets could he read easily.
Q. Did you see this piece OF paper pert OF an
Herald oflce.wP A. Yes.
Q: When did you see itS A. AT the dock. when 1
tock the papers from the body.
A. You could read it2 A. Yes.
Q. Did you show 1t to anvbody9 A. Yes.
Q. To whom A. The policeman who found the
| body he is in the Nineteenth precinct.
z. Did you show 1t TO the Ooron0rs A. don't
| know that did
| o. DID you say anything about this piece Of paper
| when you were on the inquest az, Juror A. No
z. Did the policeman A. don't think he did.
desk, did The Coroner or the Jury look at them
before the inquest was closedS A. No.
O. You returned your verdict without looking al
the papers that were found on the bodyS A: Yes
| Tho inquiry was then Adjourned until one O'CLOCK