The New York herald., 1873-01-31
THE DURYEA MURDER.
The Inquest Opened at Bellevue
Hospital Yesterday.
Appearance of Simmons, the Prisoner-The
Inquiry Adjourned Until Monday.

Inquiry Adjourned Until Monday.
The long deferred inquest in the case Of Nicholas
Duryea who was murdered In front OF 81 Liberty
street, on the night OF the 10th Of December, by
John e. Simmons was finally commenced yester.
day afternoon In Bellevue Hospital. The circum-
stances OF the crime still fresh In the minds OF
the public. no more horrible and revolving murder
having occurred in this city for years. Simmons
and his victim were both policy dealers. and in the
pursuit OF their questionable calling they had sue
ceeded in amassing large fortunes. At one period
the two men were good friends and were
connected with each other IN business; but
owing to some quarrel or difference which
occurred they for some time previous to the
tragedy had been on very bad terms. On the even
Ing when Duryea met with his awful end he had
called in at the office of Simmons and had some
conversation with him. From the office the pair
adjourned to the sidewalk, and here they had
seme angry words. Who struck the first blow has
not yet been ascertained, but whoever was the
aggressor the encounter was OF short duration,
and in few moments Duryea lay bleeding
corpse upon the street, his body being lit
teray gaping with the horrible slashes
inflicted upon him by Simmons with
clasp knife. Simmons was promptly arrested,
and on being captured It was found that his ankle
was broken. lie was taken to the Park Hospital,
and from there he was after some time transferred
TO BELLEVUE HOSPITAL,
where he at present remains to await the result of
the inquest The sickness of the prisoner is the
of the delay in holding the inquiry. but Coro-
ner Keenan, was determined to wait no longer, and
day or two ago he announced that the inquiry
would be proceeded with yesterday afternoon.
At two O'Clock large crowd OF persons inter
ested and otherwise, collected around the
approaches to the hall in which the
inquiry was. to pc held. The majority.
the same calling and profession as the prisoner.
On one side OF the room the widow Of the untor-
dauaer man rhey we're both ated in deep
ing and the face OF the mother bore traces OF the
deep sorrow and suffering into which she has
been plunged by the hand OF simmons. large
number OF those who were present were personal
friends Of Simmons. ana they watched the pro-
for the opening was two O'Clock, but at that time
there was no appearance OF the prisoner. About
quarter past two an armchair, blanket and
minutes after the prisoner was carried In
UPON A sTRErCHER.
He was in the custody OF Captain Williams, OF the
Twenty-frst precinct, and one of his officers Cap
tain Cafrrey, OF the Second precinct in which the
crlme had been committed, was also present, with
oner, who was attred In a dark coat and vest, red
drawers and white neckcloth, was carefully lifted
from the Btretcher and placed In the arm chair
and then covered up with the blanket. Simmons
Is man OF powerful frame, and has a rather hand
head slightly bald. He wears heavy brown beard
and mustache, which were carefully trimmed yes
terdsy. The mouth is expressive OF great frm-
which constitutes the defective feature In the face.
On taking his seat he carelessly glanced around
the r0om but did not show by his manner the
slightest compunction for the crime he had COM
mitted or manifest the least fear for the c0nse-
quences to himself He did not look long at the
widow Of his victim, but turned his head another
way. Colonel Jerome Is. Fellows, late Assistant
District Attorney. appeared for the prisoner apd
tOak hia seat hQa da IN District
ney Rollins representing the people. When Sim
mons entered the room number Of friends pressed
around him and cordially shook him by the hand.
william b. Stryker, keen looking young man,
was the first witness called, and he testified as
/ reside at 1903 Sheriff street, New York city
am clerk at 67 Liberty street; was acquainted
with the deceased and also with the prisoner on
the 10th day OF December, about quarter to
seven O'Clock in the evening Dqryea walked int
our office and came up to the desk; Mr.. Simmons
seemed to pay no attention to the question; Dur
yea then stepped up to simmons and shook hands
about BUSINESS aiisirs they had ssme angry talk:
Simmons said, "You used me pretty well to take
my business from m me- II you want r to TAX to me
down ON the sidewalk and will talk to y0u;" Dur
yea walked down ahead and
SIMMONS FOLLOWED. HIM;
I heard some hard words on the sidewalk; they
were giving one another the llei then some oaths
wScS Of em used e oaths came dewn IN
minute or so; was Watching to see what they
were about to do; they were talking about $1,000;
Duryea said to Simmons, "Damn you, lent you
$3,O0O;" "Well,n SAID simmons. ''dd not pay you
back again9n Duryea then made q motion and
grabbed simmons and tried to slap him. he did hit
him in the face; simmons rushed at him and they
both clinched; they fell, with simmons under
meath; 1t looked like rough and-tumble fight;
they were trying to get the best
partially turning Duryea over, and then
had an instrument in his hand or not could not
| tell; he might have struck three or four times
| started down the street and shouted 'P0uce"
| as l wanted the men separated; did not see the
| deceased stabbed. (The knife, murderous lsok-
| ing instrument, with long single blade. was hero
| produced but the witness could not swear to its
| IDENTIFY When came back saw Simmons with
knife in his hand; he lying kind OF sideways,
| leaning upon his elbow; the deceased was lying
| across the sidewalk in disgenal way;
HE WAS LYING ON HIS SIDE;
Simmons said to me, "BiIl, help up; my ankle Is
broke;" picked him up ana helped him across to
Sutherland's Just as got in the door Oncer Web
ber came in and took the prisoner In his charge
ne had the knife in his hand as assisted him did
notice what kind OF Knhe 1t Was In the excite
ment.
Colonel Fellows here arose and submitted that
as there might be extenuattng circumstances at
tending the killing 1t was important that the evi
dence OF every witness should be taken fully, so
that there weud be no mistake when the trial
came on from the witnesses being confused with the
r. av aso or e IN 1as ree ae tSs
he might nave an opportunity or conierring with
the senior counsel for the prisoner, who Is at
present engaged in the Tweed case. He said that
the defence expected to prove extenuating clrcum
stances which would probably influence the jury,
and for this reason he asked for time.
Coroner Keenan, granted the request, and ad-
journed the inquest until two O'Clock on Monday,
when 1t will be resumed at the hospital.
THE PPEIPER RELIEF CONTRIBUTIONS.