The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-25
THE SOUTH OYSTER BAY TRAGEDY.
What Was the Cause Of Henry Jones Death p
He Begins Civil Action for Damages Be-
fore His Dissolution-His Broken Jaw
Said to Have Never Been Set by
the Doctor-A Novel Case-Is
Howard Guiltless of Murders

Down in dreary. nat portion of Long Island
what portion of 1t is not lat is situated the vii
lage OF South Oyster Bay, marshalled into the an
nails OF fame by that neverfang step to notoriety,
the occurrence of tragedy in its neighborhood.
On the Sth inst. man named Henry Jones, who
lived about two miles from South Oyster Bay and
four miles from HicRsvilie, called upon neghbOr-
ing farmer, whose residence is nearer the village.
and asked him for the small balance Of bill of his
daughters the greater part OF which had already
been paid. The young lady's name Is Katy Jones;
the farmers, William Howard. She had been living
with the Howard family for several months al
"hep,' or servant. and on leaving was paid SIS.
sEvRNTY-TwO CENTS
was then due her, but she did not receive it, as
the change could not be conveniently made at
the time. So she said she would come after IL
when she found an opportunity. 1t seems she en-
trusted the mission of collecting this sum to her
father, but without giving him the proper creden-
tails as proof OF his authority On the day In ques-
ton he drove over to Howard's place, alighted
from his wagon, and, finding him there, asked him
for the money. The common story OF the neigh
bors Is that he, at the beginning of the interview
used very sharp and gruff language and that How
ard answered him pleasantly, but firmly. He re-
fused to pay him the seventy-two cents, but would
give it to Miss Jones whenever she might call for
it. Henry Jones then became excited, aud spoke
to him in an insulting manner, calling him
"rascal" and giving HIM various other unpleas-
ant epithets. Howard was angered, and ordered
him peremptOriy to leave his premises. The old
man went toward his wagon, muttering, as Ia
alleged while he placed his hand in ohls pocket, ~
will stab you," and drew
AN IMMENSE PRUNING KNIFE
such as Is used by gardeners to trim trees and
shrubs, and turned about. Howard came up to
MIN saying "You will, will you ?" and struck him
with his fist twice in succession One of the blows
broke the bone OF his jaw, and the other fell upon
the jugular vein in the neck, back Of his head.
They could not have been very heavy blows, as
Jones was not knocked down, but got
into his wagon and drove away. He
went Immediately to Squire Seamen in Ridgewood
procured warrant for the arrest Of Howard,
and then drove home. He kept his bed, and ply
stefan was called to attend him. Meanwhile the
patient procured q lawyer and instructed him to
commence a civil suit for damages against Howard,
and the neghbors say that his keeping his bed was
to further his plan for getting well paid for the blows
which he had received 1t was not until last week
wednesday-that he became worse, the broken
Baylis was notified Of his condition. That official
took the unusual and somewhat novel proceeding
OF empanell1ng jury and commencing an
INQUEST ON THE BODY OF A LIVING MAN.
He insisted all the time that it was inquest and
not an ante-mOrtem examination.
The dying man made statement which is in
deed very meagre and unsatisfactory. He re-
quarrel and then said that after ordering him oil
his place Howard approached him and SAID "You
VIII stab me, will you? ?" and struck him. whether
the manner above related. He said nothing as to
whether he himself had drawn knife or not.
SECOND JURY
has since been appointed, but the first has not
been discharged, and there promises to be lively
dispute about the legality OF its existence District
Attorney Downing advised Coroner Baylis that
1t should be dismissed, but that gentleman can
not shake Off his BELIEF that the examination of
Ia Of or
and that 1t should continue with the same per-
sonnet.
Yesterday the inquest was again postponed, and
O'Clock. The doctors on Saturday made q
POsT-MoRTEM EXAMINATION,
mans poor broken Jaw What their Ultimate con- con-
illusions are has been kept secret, and it Is very
probable Will not be made public before the formal
investigation takes place. The body was buried on
Sunday.
Howard was taken to Mineola yesterday from
Constable O'Aara, and might have been seen sur
TIPPLERs IN THE BARROoM,
joining with apparently forced geniality in the
man, with we-knit figure and a very peculiar,
and curly his eyes are large and dark and his com
pleXiOn IS sOmbre, and no doubt is capable OF
the n1s a sbare ne
in connection with this tragedy Is not at all i'm
probable, but that is yet to be seen. Howards
bitterly the occurrence of this catastrophe in what
Is comparatively an early period OF his manhood.
He has wife and children. He related in sim
oil his fatal ARRAY with Jones. He said
81 NEVER MEANT TO KILL HIM;
only wished to resent an insult. l know very
little about Henry Jones. never had any trouble
with him before"
He secuted the idea that the death of Mr.. Jones
was caused directly by the injuries received In the
ARRAY, and is, according to rumOr, supported in
this position by the opinions Of the doctors. Some