The New York herald., 1873-09-10
The Inquest.


The Inquest.
from the indications OF this morning It seemed
as though the public interest in the Kelsey case
nad died out, but few persons being present in the
court room. The inquest was called for nine
O'CLOCK, but, as usual did not begin for an hour or
30 after the appointed time. AS the time wore on
the GROVE In the room increased, and by one
O'Clock was larger than ever before Last night
Two oyster sloops full OF people came into Oyster
Bay from Greenwich, Conn. These parties say that
great interest Is felt In the case the main Shore
and every new item relating to the case
creates quite an excitement. These gentlemen
did not expect that Prime would be
called to-day; they came over to hear
the testimony OF that doubiy mysterious negro,
who Is said to know so much OF the outrage. In
this they were disappointed, but greatly surprised
at the testimony Of young Prime. which adds an.
other hue to the already variegated complexion Of
the case. The testimony was interesting and
novel, inasmuch as the witness swOre that he had
perjured himself at the previous investigation. The
lawyers the Coroner and the jury so confused and
embarrassed the witness on his redirect examna-
tiOn that he blushed and was very nervous AS
each OF the points were made by counsel or jury
the audience laughed aloud and enjoyed the en-
barrassment of the witness hugely
Mr. Hurd was recalled, and substantated what he
said before without subtraction or addition. A
great many are beginning to believe that Mr. Hurd
tells the truth, which is quite wonder, as nearly
all the people in this place said when he first testi
fed that he knew more than he told and what he
told was not true His testimony will be found
below, and should what 1t contains be re-
liable the body found is not Kelsey's, for he
clearly states that and swears to the statement
that there was little or no tar put on the neither
limbs Of Kelsey when he was outraged. The theory
that strangers were brought In to do the "Job" is
dissipated by the gentleman's sworn evidence
when he says that q man in the crowa OF
tarrers came uD to him In his position In the
bushes, and, peerng into his face, grunted grunt,
which he supposed to be grunt OF recognition.
The retelling OF this grunting story created great
mlrth among the assembled crowd and several
times noises suggestive OF something under
gate were made Mr. Hurd tells of having tied
handkerchief over his face when in DR.. Banks
house waiting for Kelsey, which is a new fact not
elected before.
AS before stated, expectation was on tlp.toe to
hear what that mysterious colored man has to say,
and the failure to produce him to-day
strengthens the belief that he is only 'nigger',
District Attorney Downing made speech to the
jury and Court, in which he defined his position.
He called Messrs. Young and Platt and District At
torney Tuthill to conduct the examination, he
nominally retiring. He has not retired, however,
and does not intend to retire until the Is over.
His speech, which is published below, gives the
slanderers OF his name to understand that he is
not to be lntimldated by newspaper talk or made
nervous by town gossip. E
Mr.. DOWNING RISES TO EXPLAIN.
When the jury roll had been called and the first
witness put on the stand Mr. Downing rose and
said:-
Gentlemen OF the jury and Mr.. Coroner-I came
here last Thursday for the purpose; Of helping in
this investigation into the alleged outraging and
Messrs. Young and Platt who had been called by
the Coroner to assist said as was the prosecuting
OF the gentlemen said word to me about retiring
from the service OF Banks and Sammis. spoke to
willing to investigate this matter In the fairest
manner and was anxious to have the truth brought
70 gn naa NO ee Of 70 tne aod Banks snd
l also stated to the coroner that looking
at the case from my standpoint did not see how
in a quiet little village like Huntington when oil
professional skill and detective ingenuity were
brought to bear on the subject. Since the last
misead public opinion and influence the popular
mind by spreading the base and unmitigated Sian
der that l was desirous to cover some parties
upon Kelsey. lam firm in the belief that have
Be SsSls %s sne hS oe snG Sss s
reason would be the last one in the world to
allow even the breath OF suspicion to exist In the
public mind that this investigation be anything
other than the fullest, most thorough and honest
ever held. For this reason, and in consideration Of
seen 1T to write to and invite the District Attorney
OF Suffolk county to meet me here to-day and take
charge OF the investigation: | had an interview
ing. l have implicit confidence in the belief that
the Coroner and this Jury mean to ascertain, il
head or heart that would throw any obstacle In
your way; as Tor myself, fully believe II this
Sc hrona I pee a The '1s % can
tington on last Thursday refused TO give the
names of the witnesses from that place to Coroner
Bayliss referring him to Counsellor Platt Tor IN.
With few more remarks OF little import TO the
issue at hand Mr.. Downing took his seat and the
greater part OF which was unimportant. His doubts,
however, are very interesting, and. believing him
Mr. Hnrd was recalled and gave his testimony
M IN the same nervous manner M us on tne previous
waiting for Kelsey is rather interesting.
MR.. HURD's DOUBTS,
The reasons J have doubts about the body found
being that Of Kelsey are these:-I said the tarring
ana leatnering operation took at the outside five
minutes, and do not think 1t took more tnan
three minutes; the stun that was applied to the
man was taken from small quart tin pail and put
on him with an ordinary brush; the thing was
done in hurry and most OF the tar, or whatever
most exclusively; doubt If the lower parts OF the
body were touched at al and also II the stun ap.
piled was tar; doubt It's being tar,
Tor when the man was thrown againsp me
and pat up my hands to ward tllm OF
some OF It adhered to them;' think rubbed it or
on thcypost or nearly Gil OF, and when l got home
smel tar at the time, 1t was afterwards that
sT.eied tar; saw the man that had been tarred
al feathered walk out OF the gate before spoken
81, at o pace that would have been impossible had
he been usedrn the manner suggested; have been
I, tod Rffl Hhnn rlaat
(the masked mem raised him to his feet; he was
able to stand and walked about; thought at the
time he had no spunk, or he could have freed
himself from the men who surrounded him they
tied him to q tree before which they put blanket
or something of the kind below the waist.
To q juror have three horses; have changed
horses since this thing occurred; the horses had
at that time were two gray ones; had them Tor