The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-15

Taking Testimony Before the Coroner
The story as Told by the Burke Fam
tly-NOthing New Elected.
An inquest was yesterday begun in the case OF
the mysterious murder OF Nicholas Ryan and his SIS
ter Mary, which occurred at No. 204 BroOme street
some time during the night Of the 2lst ult. COrO-
ner EickhOn, assisted by ex-Coroner Young, con-
Quoted the investigation. Nothing new was elic-
tied by the evidence taken yesterday, it being SIM
ply repetition OF facts before published and pos
sessing sameness with each witness.
PATRICK RYAN's STATEMENT.
The first witness who gave his testimony was
Patrick Ryan, brother Of the deceased. He testified
that the last time he saw his brother and sister
was on the night OF the 21st Of December his
brother having parted from him at the corner of
Suffolk street. while bis sister accompanied him TO
spend the evening at the mouse Of friend there
was no qnarrelling between his brother and their
sister; his brother had q watch and chain when
he parted with him, and the vest, SINCE found, has
been torn at the button-hole; his brother generally
carried about $50 with him.
SEEKING FOR CIEws.
The next testimony taken was that Of the Burke
family, in receiving which the day was spent. Ex-
Coroner Young used every effort to get at some
new facts, II any there were, from these people,
but their story was uniformly the same. During
found In the room, with the larger knife or
''skiver," were both shown to the jury, and the
vest which was 1OunQ lying on one OF the landings
in the house was also exhibited.
PATRICK BURKE's STATEMENT.
Patrick Burke, who now resides at No. 80 Broome
street, IN his statement yesterday repeated the
story formerly given by him. He explained who
the visitors to his house were on 21st OF Decem-
Der, the hours they came and left, and where they
went to, so far as he knew. His explanation Of
the movements OF Leonard Mrs. Leonard and
O'Brien was that the first named merely came to
wife called for some articles which she had not
taken with her when leaving tne house; the
woman had not been at the house later than six
O'Clock in the evening and Leonard had not been
at the house after nine O'Clock; OBrien who is a
relative Of Mrs. Burke, remained with the Burkes
until shortly after eleven O'Clock the evening OF De-
cember q. The explanation given Tor his presence
was that he and Burke went together to neigh
20 Ssss TO gt roe 70
was to get this ticket and transfer 1t
to 0'Brie5; but, as the society to which
OBrien left and returned to Burke's residence,
where he remained talking to Mrs. Burke until the
nothing unusual in the house the night Of the mur.
der; everything was quiet, and there was no rea-
son to suspect that any foul deed was cOntem-
plated; when he aw0ke on account of the noise he
opened his door and looked out to the hallway
and could see nothing unusual; he closed the door,
saying to his wife that it was the cats;n his little
girl, who was frightened by the noise called for
| him. saying that "there was something wrong u
and on his going soon after to Miss Ryans room he
found her lying on the door OF the room with her
| throat cut and breathing with difficulty; the
police were then called in and searched the prem
Uses.
MRS. BURKE's TESTIMONY.
The testimony given by Mrs, Burke was essen
italy the same as that given by her husband. Two
points, however, received some slight elucida-
ton which previously had appeared to be likely to
lead to some development One of these was as
to the terms on which Ryan and his sister were in
the habit OF living. Mrs. Burke testified that on
one occasion, and one only, had there been any
unpleasant difference between them. Ryan and
his sister had had some words. and he called Mrs.
Burke into his room ana SAID he was afraid he
should have to break up housekeeping. His sister
said he might do as he pleased, and threatened to
take room down town. In regard to the
money which 1t was supposed Ryan
was in the habit of carrying about
with him, Mrs. Burke testified that she never saw
roll OF bills in his possession, but on the occasion
that she received from him the IS he had more
money than that amount; she further stated that
persons were in the habit of passing by their
(the Burkeso door at all hours OF the night in 60
ing to the rear house, she finally asserted that she
had no idea whatever as to who committed the
murder.
MARIA O'BRIEN EXAMINED.
The next witness examined was Maria O'Brien,
who had been asleep from about nine O'Clock the
night Of December u until she was awakened by
the strange noise outside, which seemed to her to
be caused by the falling OF something down stairs.
This witness corroborated the testimony given by
Burke and her mother
The inquest win be resumed this morning.