The New York herald., 1873-10-25
CHOPPED TO DEATH.
A Murder in n Sailor Boa riding House
The Result OF General Drunk.

The Result OF n General Drunk.
From the Alta California, oct. Ill
most horrible and brutal murder was COM
mitted shortly alter one O'Clock yesterday after
noon, in John Ryans boarding house, No. 400
Drumm street, corner OF Clark. The proprietor
and nearly all the parties living In the house were
on a drunken brawl and could give but little In
formation as to how or by whom the murder was
committed.
Soon alter the deed was discovered word was
sent to the Harbor Police station, and officers
Coulter Longford and Kelly were soon at hand,
followed by Chief Crowley, and possession taken
OF the premises until the arrival OF Coroner Still
man.
THE VICTIM
Is owen Gillen steamboat fireman. who has been
here number OF years, and was OF quiet DISPOSE
ton when not under the influence OF liquor. His
BODY was found lying on bench in the dining
room near door leading TO the barroom lying
half sideways, with his arms folded He presented
CHASTITY sight to look at. having received a terri
BILE blow with an axe in his neck almost COM
pletely severing the head from the body, and his
appearance indicated that he never moved limb
alter having received tue fatal blow. The blood
flowed In streams to the floor, running of Ior some
distance.
The officers made search OF the premises and
In the yard found, on a pile OF wood, the axe be-
smeared with blood and the handle In o similar
condition, the blood being hardly dry.
Ryan, the proprietor OF the place was found in q
state OF beasty intoxcation asleep In his room,
Immediately opposite the dining room in which
In the barroom Lloyd Bell q Qray-baired cOIOred
man. boarder In the house, was Iound lying on a
settee, also greatly under the influence OF liquor.
These were the only TWO men who we're found on
this n0or the upper portion being occupied by the
boarders. The police took the two mentioned per-
sons into custody.
Coroner Stiman, on his arrival, viewed the body
swore In jury and decided to hold the inquest to-
day.
The only person who was able to give any INFORM
alton was John Fillmore, mariner and 'longshore-
man, who Is also boarder IN the house, and who
was perfectly sober.
His statement OF what he knows about the
affair may be briefly summed up as follows --Gien
came TO the mouse yesterday morning about nine
O'Clock. He had been drinking, aud remained
about the place most OF the time, going out In the
yard occasionally. At eleven O'Clock he heard Gil
his money. He watched him the night previous
going TO grocery store on the corner OF Pacific
and Davis streets. Bell, who had also been drink
ing, was sitting on the settee in the barroom
when this remark was made, and his countenancc
Indicated that he was not at all pleased with 10.
Fillmore says he went up stairs, leaving Ben lying
on the settee In the barrO0m and Gien lying on
the bench In the dining room. Fillmore
SAYS ne Dad been up stairs short time when be
heard the voices OF two men below, ana few min.
utes after that he heard the footsteps uf some one
In the dining ROOM but paid no attention to II. He
came down stars about one O'Clock, found the front
barr0om door closed ana the two men occupying
the POSITIONS he had lett them In He noticed the
blood on the moor In the dining room, which at FIRST
ne TOOK 70 De water, but on looking closer he OBJ
served the terrible cut In Gens neck ana at
once went TO the Harbor police and reported the
matter. Bell was found In the barrOom, with blood
on hls hands, shirt and snocs and the general sup
siton - that he inflicted the fatal wound while
4RRvGag RaaT eR attack Of delripm tremens,