The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-16
THE BROOKLYN MURDER.

Coroner's Inquest Touching the KILN z
OF the swedish Sailor, Charles Nelson.
The inquest over the body OF Charles Nelson, the
Swedish sailor, who was killed by his fellow coun-
tryman, Peter Swenson, at their boarding house,
NO. os Columbia street. was held yesterday after.
noon. The following testimony was efcited:-
George o. Peterson, OF No. 6 Columbia street. a
lighterman, the hrst witness, who testified as
ollows:-rhe deceased's name was Charles Nell
son; he had boarded with me since the Sth; on
Tuesday night came home about six O'Clock: I
and deceased ana my brother had supper together !;
after we had supper me ana Charlie Nelson
went down TO Charlie ONeifs liquor store ana had
two drinks OF wnskey; there Swenson came IN he
treated once, alter which we all went to my house
and played cards; me and Swenson were partners
my brother and Charlie Nelson were partners; we
won two games they won one game we then went
TO ONells liquor store again; drank two glasses
OF W nskey and two glasses of beer; Nelson drank
Jour glasses or whiskey; Swenson drank
whiskey and two aies; Peterson, three whskIes and
one ale; the three began talking ABOUT who was the
went up TO the place where they were living and
eat some thing; Nelson asked Swens0n IL he would
70 as shIpmate with MIN, saying then III lind out
what kind OF man you are on board OF a ship"
swenson replied that he would not 20 shipmate
with him; IF you want 10 ind out what kind OF
a man am step down in the yard !" Nelson
said all right, and pulled on his coat, vest and
shirt; Swenson then went into the bedroom;
had my pants on, ready TO go 70 bed; Swenson
SAID TO Charlie. 81 needn't strip" they tnen went
outside the Kitchen door together, and began
lighting 10 the hallway; when iopened the door
Nelson, In railing, struck the lamp was carrying,
breaking II, and It went out; my brother got
matches, and we lighted 1t; we found the hallway
full OF BLOOD Swenson cleared out and my
brother ran alter MIN dressed, and ran down
Columbia street, between Amity and Atlantic;
got an officer. whom 1 took 10 the house: we
found knife alongside OF Nelson; he was lying
b. the Kitchen door, alive ne said =
''OH, 4 AN DYINGU
i did not see knife In the hands Of anybody; the
knue belonged 70 Swen5on; the door vas shut and
/ did DOT see them when they first cnched; there
were no blows Struck In the room; only us four
we're present. the deceased had nothing In mis-
hands; did not think they would fight wnen they
went out.
Augustus Frederick Peterson was called and ties.
tfned-KDew deceased have sailed with him. got
acquainted with swenson only when he came 10
our house last Friday; was not quite sober when
we had supper; the lamp was put out when
Nelson took on his shirt; ne threw it against the
lamp and put 10 out: was sitting by the table
where the lamp stood; followed Swenson from
the house TO the dock and caught bold OF him, but
be got away; he said. "Whaps the use OF following
mey let me 20 - there we're two watcbmen on the
dock, who told me to 90 away asked them 10
hold Swenson until could get policeman, but
they would NOT do It then got policeman and
looked TOR Swenscn; then went back home, and
from there started to 20 TO the station house,
when met an of1cor having SwensUn In charge;
SYenson was not Qusrreis0me; never knew nim
tohaye quarrel on the ship.
Jacob Lawson testined-l i've 1t NO. warren
street; am q carpenter; / am not acquainted Win
refer swens0n; ne and talk che same language;
ne Us swede; saw him frst on, Sunday evening as
Ieversons house; we were taking there about
sanIns, was there about half 6u hour was az
nome on Iuesday night; Swenson Knocked at my
0oor soout one O'Clock In the night; ] was In bed:
NY WY called Me- opeaed the window