New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-11-28
Local Intelligence.

THE DEATH OF WILLIAM LCCAs.-
Wednesday night many tiremen expert
enced jolly time in the company Of
louisiana Hose christening at Mr. G. I.
Huwards residence. There were present
delegations from almost every fire COM
pany, and they all seemingly rejoiced with
their hosts Among the guests was seen
the ever placid face of William Lucas. the
robust foreman of Columbia No. D. AT the
supper he ate heartily, but refused to par
take of wine, for which he was chatfed by
John Fitzpatrick, who was near him.
Before the christening party broke up an
alarm for fire was sent from the corner OF
Derbigny and Palmyra streets, and Column
bia No rolled out. Members Of that COM
pany who were at Mr.. Towards house, of.
fered sudden good night to the festivities
and started to respond to the call. Their
machine was there before them. and I. j.
NewhOuse, second assistant foreman, ap-
pears to have been the first officer on the
ground in command. The alarm was sound
ed aoout quarter of an hour before mid
night. and half an hour or more later Mr..
EranZel first assistant, desired to retire,
wishing to go home. He asked Mr.. New.
house to excuse him, but was peremptOrily
refused. This was quickly communicated
to Mr. Lucas. the foreman. who approached
Newhouse and asked him what was the
matter. Words were uttered, but which no
one seems to have heard. Lucas struck
Ne Nhouse, SO the latter says. and
instantly several men placed themselves on
the defensive or offensive. Newhouse
Strengthened himself, and soon thereafter
fred shot, the bullet entering Lucas right
eve, penetrating the brain, passing through
the back skull and lodging just inside the
scalp, necessarily causing death. Lucas
brother Joseph, was close by, and moved
toward Newhouse, the latter, seeing what
he had done, running off. AS he was flying
bot md
hand was slightly wounded. He escaped,
but subsequently surrendered at police
headquarters. All this was transacted so
suddenly that few members could believe
that terrible tragedy had been enacted.
All present were ready to perform any
duty to assist their beloved foreman, but
he was beyond all things-dead.
A manly form, that only few minutes
before engaged in a testivity, and not
dreaming of harm, lay a corpse before his
companions. Lucas was as fine looking
fireman as ever fought fire, and one OF the
most unobtrusive men in the department.
He was a man of few words, generous and
upright. 1t was these qualities which made
HIM foreman of his company, position
never sought by him. and he would not ask
a vote. For several years he was a trusted
employe OF Mr.. Bidwell. IN the Academy OF
Music. and was well known. especially
among fremen, who spoke OF him as
model foreman. lie leaves young vile
and two children. without means. His
funeral was yesterday attended by hun
dreds of tirelnen. who sincerely mOurned
his loss.
Mr. Newhouse was arraigned before
Judge McArthnr Thursday morning and
remanded to prison. He is carpenter by
profession. but has several times held
minor position as a city officer in Poydras
Market. and is tolerably well known, being
a native OF this city, as was his victim.
After he was locked up his attorney visited
him, advising him not to converse with any
one concerning the trouble. However, he
insists that he acted in selt-detense.
At the inquest held by Coroner Folwell
Yesterday, two witnesses testified that New
house fred twice. Other witnesses gave
testimony which is embodied in the above
statements
The Academy of Music put out its draped
flag at half mast yesterday, i'll memory OF
deceased, as also did the Howard boat club
and several fire companies.
The coroner's jury returned verdict
that William Lucas came to his death at
tie hand of L. J. Newhouse, and DR.. Fol
we'll made an affidavit charging Newhouse
with murder.