The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-11
THE JUVENILE SHOOTING CASE,

Inquest Yesterday by Coroner Young
How Boys Were Enticed Into q Dis
reputable House and One Killed-A
Verdict of Death mt the Hands Of Will
liam w. Barker, Who Was Committed
to the Tombs.
Coroner Young yesterday held an inquest at the
Thirtieth precinct station house, in the case OF
John Schafrer, the little boy who was shot and
killed by William W. Barker, aged thirteen years.
at the house OfMrs. Brown, at 522 Sixth avenue,
on Friday evening last, where they were in the
habit Of meeting to play with Mrs. Browns pet
dogs, four Of which she sports on the avenue every
fine day. -
The first witness sworn was the father of the de-
ceased boy, joan q. Schaffer, of 52s Sixth avenue
He first heard OF the killing about five O'Clock. and
that 1t was Barker who shot the boy; went to Mrs.
Browns house, found his boy insensble, carried
him home, where he died soon after;
the boy Barker had been in the habit
of playing with deceased, but he had
never heard Of any difIlculty between them and
deceased had never informed him that Barker
carried pistol; he had forbidden his son going to
Browns house on account Of its reputation.
Apoline Mallet, alias Florence Brown, keeper Of
the house where the boy shot, testified that she
had lived there five years; knew deceased that
length Of time, and the boys, including young
as she did not see the shooting nor hear the re-
port her evidence was OF no Importance.
nue., testified that he was in the house on Friday
aitern0on sent there by his cousin Edward M.
senior, to return wrench which he had borrowed;
Victor PicardO, his brother and Johnny Schaffer,
ness as IN heard no quaTrering; schaner and victor
and, pointing 1t at schaner said 'Look out, ri
shoot you;" he then put 1t In his pocket again !;
toId r.
again. sSSf and Iocsenns til. oarrs eccsed
it at schaiier and told him he would shoot him !;
Schafer said, "Look out; you will shoot me;" he
again a MI it at pulled
head when shot; Barker said, 30, my God what
and told Schafrer's little brother to keep quiet ;
witness saw the pistol with Barker the night before
namea smith, two pstos one of Which Was
loaded; witness recognized the pistol produced;
never heard him talk Of shooting his grandfather.
there was no quarrelling between the boys; schaf
fer and witness were playing with lOx's tail, and
he then pulled out pistol, but put il back again IN
his pocket; the first time he pointed 1t at me; he
p ssd he goa. SRa psHSsSs SEnd
TO his head. ana SAID, Look out, Willie, you will
shoot me-" Barker snapped the pistol. and L went
Barker nSs say bafRer
with pistol week ago Sunday; there were no
angry words between prisoner and deceased when
the shooting took place; Barker never told witness
where he got the pistol; witness declared that no
one had Instructed him as to what he was to say
! before the Coroner. - ,,...
John Herdtielder, the ounsmith of s52 Seventh av
enue, at whose store the pistol was purchased and
| his wife, were examined. From their evidence it
| appeared that on Wednesday Mrs. Herdtfelder took
| the fatal revolver In exchange for another pistol
and the same day sold 1t to boy like the prisoner
for 81 So who showed smaller one he had In his
| pocket, saying he wanted larger one as he had
| to 20 In the country and 1t was dangerous now to
| 90 without pistol He purchased some cartridges
| and carried both pistols away; Thursday he went
to the gunshop and paid Herdtfelder ten cents for
/ repairing the weapon.
| that deceased came to his death by plstolshot
| wound, and the case was given to the Jury, the
! Coroner dwelling at considerable length upon the
growing evil OF boys carrying pistols, and the ne.
| cessty for some measures being taken TO prevent
| dealers In dangerous weapons dsposing OF them
to young boys. The verdict was that deceased
came to his death by pistol-stot wound received
| at the hands OF william w. Barker, and they rec
ommend the authorities to adopt measures to pre-
vent the sale OF firearms to children or other IRE
| sponsibe parties. The Coroner committed the
accused TO the Tombs to await the action Of the
| Grand Jury.