The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-05-18
A BLOODY MYSTERY.
Probable Murder in the
Eighth Ward.
A White Woman, the Mistress Of Joe Jackson, .
Colorsd Man, Found Murdered in Her Bed
Jealousy Supposed To Be the Motive
The Post-Mortem Examination
The Police Upon the Track.

The Police Upon the Track.
very mysterious and bloody tragedy, doubtless
the result OF amalgamation and jealousy, was yes
terday afternoon brought to the attention OF Coro
ner Herman, at his once, No. 40 East Houston
street.
VIM. Sarvant, o colered man, 1t appears, keeps
dance house In the basement or the premises 40
Sullivan street, which he kept open Friday night
till near twelve O'Clock, there being no quarrel or
serious disturbance in the place during the even
ing. About seven O'Clock yesterday morning the
coored barkeeper, Ranford Livingston, having oc-
casiOn to 60 In the rear yard was Mortified, on
opening the door OF the clubhouse, to find the floor
covered with large amount Of blood, and there
were also blood spots on the partition boards.
BLOODY RAZOR
lay in the centre OF the pool OF blood, of which
there seemed to be nearly three pints but the
razor, on examination, appeared not to have been
used recently. Judging rom appearances, the wea-
pom had been purposely placed in the pool Of blood
after the flowing had taken place.
Livingston after little hesitation, gave informa-
ton TO an officer on post, who Immediately COM
municated the fact to Captain Mccullough, or the
Eighth precinct, who, with Detective Muin and
other officers, instantly repaired to the place and
found the blood and razor as stated.
A SEARCH.
The Captain and his officers. suspectng that
murder had been committed, commenced search
OF Servants dance house and the surrounding
premises, with the view Of solving the mystery at
tending the blood and razor in the clubhouse, but
without success. Some blood spots were found on
the noor of the hallway leading into
the street, but from whence they came
no one seemed to know. Determined
not to be thwarted in his purpose, Captain
Mccullough continued the search, and several
hours later learned that the dead body OF Mary
Jane Sullivan, q depraved courtesan, who cohab
tied with Jim, alias joe Jackson, ugly negro.
had been found in her bed, on the second floor OF
57h Thompson street, just at the entrance OF
'.Nigger alley" SO famous in the Eighth ward,
with marks OF violence on the face, head ana body.
From the fact that Jackson, whitewasher by &C.
cnpation, had ned and taken with him such valua-
bles as could be easily moved, 1t was suspected lie
had killed his white mistress, particularly as 1t was
known they lived unhappily together.
Captain Mccullough found
TEE BODY OF DECEASED
as described, and believing that Kate Jackson, alias
McDermott, and Lotte Armstrong (white girls,
both boarding with jackson, the latter of whom
had also been his mistress, were in possession OF
facts touching the death of the girl sullivan, ar
knowledge OF the matter notwithstanding they
occupied a small bedroom on the same floor, and
only few feet from the bed in which Jackson and
deceased slept.
The girl Jackson, alias Kate McCready, said she
was out till two O'Clock in the morning, and re-
turning home drunk saw deceased lying on her
left side in the bed she did not notice jackson at
the time and probably he was not there; she last
saw jackson at six O'Clock the evening previous
Lottje Armstrong stated she last saw deceased
about twelve O'Clock at night in the act OF going
out for pitcher Of beer; deceased was then some.
Lottie did not know, and no one else seemed TO be
able to tell
Ssrong suspicious existed that Lottie,
THE FORMER MISTRESS OF JACKSON,
being jealous OF his attentions to Mary Jane Sul
van, had been anxious to remove her successful
but, as yet, nothing has been developed to show
AssAULTING DECEASED.
In the course OF their investigation Captain
Mccullough and Detective Muln ran across Alfred
ss7 West Thirty third street, who saw deceased
and Jackson mt a. groggery, corner Of Broome and
Sullivan = st about 0g midnga Jackson &
ARE you doing here, you bloody b--h ~ at the
same time striking her somewhere about the body
with heavy hickory stick, about three feet in
length.
Coroner Herman and his deputy, DR.. Cushman
on visiting the house where the dead body lay,
found thousands OF highly excited colored men,
women and children gathered about, discussing
the merits OF the murder and wondering what had
become OF Jackson, whom they characterized rs a
brute and murderer.
DEcEAsED's APARTMENTS
The room where deceased Law is q two story,
rckety frame house, and 1t seemed dangerous to
ascend the stairs, which IN totterlng condi-
ton. The front room is about fourteen feet in
on from this room is still smaller one, occupied
by Kate and Lotte. few poor chairs,
a table and coal box constituted the fur
niture, with the exception or the bed.
Hung against the walls were some very
ordinary pictures 1t may not be amss to mention
that very domestic barnyard FOWL was found in
the room Of deceased, and was so very tame that
it insisted being under the feet OF those present.
number OF policemen, under command of Cap
tain Mccullough, kept guard and preserved the
peace both inside as well in the street, while
posT-MoRTEM EXAMINATION.
On the right elbow OF deceased DR.. Cushman
found confused wound OF recent date both her
eyes were discolored, there was bruise or contt-
the right eye was an mcised wound as ii Inflicted
with the sharp edge OF a hammer, chisel or some
kindred instrument On opening the skull DR..
Cuslman found a mass or eXtrav8sated blood on
the brain, which was compressed. the compression
having been the result of violence, probably by a
blow or succession Of blows
The internal organs were examined and most OF
them found to be healthy. Deceased, previous to
her dissipated habits and life OF debauchery, must
have been quite an attractive looking girl, and
much surprise was expressed that she should
fancy and cohabit with the british negro charged
with taking her life. The sister OF deceased, who
claims to be a respectable. married woman was in
the house while Dr. Cushman was making the post
mortem examination, and expressed the wish TO
take the remains to FAN River, Mass, for inter-
ment, II she could raise the money necessary for
that purpose.
In the meantime Coroner Herman sent the body
to the Morgue, from which. if not claimed in a
reasonable length OF time twill be buried at public
expense In Pott6r's Field.
Deceased $50 says her sister) was only twenty
years OF age, native OF Providence, X. l., and had
lived in the city about three years. A Jury being
empanelled viewed the remains, but Coroner Herr
man will not commence his Investigation for some
days to come.
THE BLOOD MYSTERY
The post-mortem being concluded Captain
Met ullOurh requested Coroner Herman and DIR.