The New York herald., 1873-10-18
A BLOODY NASHVILLE TRAGEDY.

a Young Man Kills Libertine Who
Destroyed His Widowed Sister-The
Victim the Manager of the Varieties
Theatre.
The telegraph has announced the killing at Nash
ville the 18th, of r. NJ Richards, proprietor Of
the Varieties Theatre by James Hagan, ior the
alleged betrayal OF his widowed sister. The Union
ana ADVERTISER OF the 14th, has further particu-
lars
THE KILLING.
*. NJ Richards, well known as the proprietor OF
the Varieties Theatre. shot and instantly Killed
about half-past two O'Clock yesterday afternoon by
James HagaD The affair occurred on Cherry street,
just below the entrance to the theatre. Hagan
walked down Cherry street at the hour named,
stopped at the saloon connected with the theatre,
which IS just above the entrance, and inquired OF
Richard Irwin, who was in the saloon, as 10 Rich
ards Whereabouts. Irwin replied that he had lust
gone around the corner oil Broad street. Hagan
Immediately started down toward Broad stI eet,
met Richards about twenty steps below the saloon.
in the brain. richards threw back hls hands
and fell on his right side Hagan stopped and
looked at him moment then walked across 10 the
drug store on the corner OF Broad and Cherry
streets, NH where ne met Captain stocse, VINO IN
piled, ~ shot him, Captain; here's my pistol: /
want to give myself up" Captain stocke took
possession OF the weapon and took Hasan TO the
station house.
An Immense crowd gathered about the theatre
at once, and, In the absence OF Coroner Ryan, Jus
tlce Cassetty sw0re In jury, and was proceeding
TO hold an inquest over the body, which was lying
on the pavement Just as it fell, with brains
arrived and the body was conveyed across the
street TO the house where the theatre people have
Deen boarded by Richards.
The effects found upon the person OF Richards
consisted OF lady's gold watch and chain, no
weapons weapons being found. number Of witnesses
testined TO the facts connected with the shooting
rs ABOVE narrated, and the jury found veroict in
accordance Herewith
HAGAN's STORY.
To reporter Hagan said II am willing to tell
you Just nov now y was; killed Richards because he
John Hagans wife, that he would shoot me- Mrs
Hagan told me that he had seduced Annie last sun
day night, but didn't see him until THIS morning.:
then met him few feet from the varieties Thea.
IRE entrance and shot him. 1t was about half
past two O'Clock there was another gentleman
with him. When met him he had his hand in his
pocket, and thought 1t was his Intention to shoot
me. He was coming up from Broad and was go
atre on purpose to meet him didn't say any thing
TO him. and he didn't say anything to me.
STATEMENT OF THE PRISONERS MOTHER.
Mrs. John hagan stated substantially as fol-
lows:-I heard week ago Saturday that bad
stories were circulating about Richards and Annie
Jane, and that they had been seen out buggy rid
ing together. Annie Jane knew great many peo-
pie In town and sne might have met him without
our knowing IT, for she used 70 oe out quite often;
heard, and she denied 1t at 1rst and then after
wards said the reports were true That was last
Friday night She said he told her TO 60 to Cinein-
natl and that he would marry her there, but told
ner she must stand her ground and stay here She
salc san ne Told her he had always wanted her. but
that she would never consent, and that now
ne haq hold on her she would want to marry
Jane and her little boy Saturday He said -
welL mrs. Hagan what can de Ior yousu said,
M mt Richards don't want You TO do anything for
IN me- put for the iantIy; guess you know what that
thing he cs cad, mrs 81 mHagsn, I'm willing 70 do any.
neard. and said that Annie had told me they were
srue ana said, you are the one 70 blame Tor the
ehn uouoe, ue dou have kept company with her when
n Mndea you wanted TO marry her.u de said he
rvHhant marry her IT, 1he language used by
ncuarus mere, according TO Mrs Haranis state
men.. was oi the most basphemous Character
70 an - az nsor rpuollcationl He said "Ars Hagau,
tody'y i ss,a mw,o, ~ Una, couiGn't marry any