New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-04-15

DROWNED IN LANE L h.Al-N
Singular CuSe-Saturday night fancy
ball was given at the Oakland House on
Metairie ridge, attended by some fast men
and women A party of five. three men
and tive women, left the ball TO go to the
lake and take sail. The mems names
are Harry Weeks. Gabe Beebe, Robert
Swain aud II. NJ. Riddle. Before reaching
the lake they we're hailed by Edward Muir
ply, sometimes called Candy Murphy, who
asked to Join the party. He was taken in,
being well known to all except Riddle. j.:
Martin also joined the excursiODists. All
excent Riddle and Beebe are sporting men,
freQuenters Of lower st. Charles street.
Murphy the most notorious of the number.
1t is stated that most OF the party had Oeen
drinking wine freely. and were under the
influence of it at the time. There was some
difficulty IN passing out of the mouth OF the
cana, owing to a toierably strong wind.
When on the lake Murphy became holster
ous and dem0nstrative, rather ruGely but
famili arly aSsailiEg Mr.. Riddle, who
did not relish the conduct, and
demonstrated with Murphy. Shortly after
ward Murphy was overheard, thrown there,
Martin and Weeks state, by Riddle. Weeks,
who understands how 10 handle boat,
immediately made great efforts TO put about,
but the rndder became disarranged and
unserviceab.e All this time Murphy was
tOundering around in the water, apparently
aware of the peril be was in, occasionally
calling oUt. Harry. for Gods sake, save
me il YOU cam Weeks was quite helpless
having no oars. nor even paddle, out ne
he manage! 10 tear strip of board from
the boat which he used to very little adj
vantage. The boat was fully quarter of
n mile from Murphy when he sank,
drowned. Oae or more of the party directly
charged Riddle with murder, and he was
handled roughly, as his appearance testihes.
Fortunately a small steamer passed near
the boat and, those on board discovering
the terrible situation, went 10 the rescue,
towing the yacht into the canal Sergeant
TAYLOR was there and Immediately took
charge Of Riddle, taking him to the first
precinct stationhouse. Accused made the
following statement when in the cell:
Il was at the bail at the Oakland House,
and in the morning Weeks asked me if
would 90 with party to sail. said l
would. ami five OF US, two women, who
were with Weeks, Gabe Beebe, and myself
went and took boat, and when we reached
the end of the canal, Candy Murphy, and
another mani don't know his name, hailed
IA, and we tackled and took him aboard.
The whole crowd were pretty drunk, and
we were 'skyiarkirg aud footing, and
when some distance out in the lake, candy
Murphy tell overheard. | have no idea in
the world / how the accident happened
We tried 70 tack the boat, when the rudder
Cushipped, and before we could reach Muir
uhy he had drowned. Weeks then said to
me. you are the cause of this, and was
knocked down and kicked senseiess.
When we came to the wharf, Weeks told
me that if il had not been for the women be
would have thrown me overheard. This is
truly all can state about the matter"
As the statements made by both sides
varied 40 materially. it was deemed best TO
arrest the entire party, which Captain
Flanagan succeeded in doing. Riddle holds
the position of harbor master at the Lake
End of the New canal. When the matter
comes up Tor examination before the re-
corder, We will probably obtain something
like the truth. Murphy's body was not re-