The New York herald., 1875-10-16
A DOUBLE MURDER
Two Negroes Murdered While De-
Tending Their Women.
Tragical Termination Of a
Picnic Party.
THE ASSAILANTS IN JAIL.

Another unprovoked assault occurred in Gowanua
South Brooklyn, at early hour yesterday morning,
eliminating in murder. The victims are two in
number, both cooTed men. one OF whom fingered be-
tween life and death for a few hours The other
killed instantly. The assaiants are white men, who
in custody. The names Of the deceased are Samuel
Jackson and Henry Thompson. The accused John
McGuirc ana Matthew Dowdcn
TROUBLE
II appears that Thursday evening party of col.
ored and women to the number or about
100 couples assembled from weeksvile, Grow
Hill and New Utrecht, Gravesend and tho sur
rounding country at Schuetzen Park on
Third avenue between Fifieh and Ffty-Ars streets,
for the purpose Of enjoying night festival There
music song and dance and the evening passed
happily among the sable gathering, the only draw.
back being the predatory visits and moestation OF
gang of young white rufhans The Committee .,
Arrangements demonstrated with their tormentors,
and endeayored to prevail upon them to desst from
interfering with them in their enjoyment Prominent
among the interopers at the festival were John
Mcclure, Matthew Dowden, James Thornton, John
Tracy, John Hail. L. Kent and Dennis Mccarthy
Mcclure and Dowden said to have made themselves
particularly obnoxious to the coored people Among
the guests Samuel Jackson, his sister Mrs Sarah
Hendricks and Henry Thompson, from New Utrecht.
This trio the Of special and most offensive
attention from MCGUIRE, who attempted to drag Mrs.
Hendricks from her partner in the waltz one Samuel
Bennett This last act excited the anger OF party
against the white intruders that they drove them on
the ground 1t appears that 'thc crowd thus routed
had determined upon further assault and they otered
the outskirts OF the park until the termination OF
the festivities. Then ensued the fatal fracas Shortly
after midnight Samuel Jackson, Mrs. Hend-
ricks and Samuel Bennett left the park
for their home in New Utrecht Henry Thomp-
fingered for a few moments within and
Bennett called him to "come on" Henry re-
sponded TO the summons, and the party crossed the
street together They did not proceed many yards,
however, before they were accosted by i've of the
roughs, one Of whom, Mcclure, caught hold Of the
woman who was leaning on the arm OF her brother.
The white rough said he wanted the coored woman TO
return 10 the park and dance with him. She firmly re-
fused, and her brother said, That Is my and
want you to leave her alonen "You
will kill youu retorted the ruflan, and turning away
the coored people moved on. They had not proceeded
many steps before Mcclure approaching Jackson
called out to him. When Jackson turned round ne
threw stone at him with great force, telling his victim
to the ground and crushing in his forehead.
Tho unfortunate man fell without groan and
expired. The stone which was a rough edged one,
weighed five pounds The friends of the fallen man
then came up and general melee ensued during which
Henry Thompson was struck on the head with stone
by Matthew Dowden and knocked senseless. His skull
fractured Bennett was beaten with fence picket
and several others injured The roughs then took
their heels, while of the coored repaired
the Eighth subprecinct station house and reported tho
case 10 Acting Captain Maher. Sergeant Dunn and u
squad Of officers out arrest the assaanta
and their mission attended with success Within
two hours the parties named above, together with
Charles Hicks and James Docket, in custody.
The latter named held witnesses Mrs Hen
dricks positively Identifies Mcclure the who
struck her brother with stone Henry THOMPSON
died in the Long Island College Hospital during the
forenoon from the effects of the blow.
PRISONERS
Mcclure and Dowden were brought before Justice
Delmar in the morning Mcclure is twentythre years
of age, ofdark complexion thin pointed nose, and dark
gray eyes. He is evidently man Of violent temper
Dowden is twenty years old, stout in frame and
short in stature Both men represented by
sci. McGuire pleaded mot guilty. When the
plant read to Dowden he replied Il hit him, but
did not intend to kill him. An effort was made by
counsel allow the prisoners to be examined then
as arrange for their admission to bail,
10 go TO Jail and await the result OF the
Coroner's investigation. Mr. Cropsoy Justice of the
Peace OF New Utrecht then made formal complaint OF
assault against John Thornton, who struck Samuel Ben
nett with the fence picket, whereupon Thornton
remandcd TO Jail The prisoners
given an unfavorable reputation by the
police The other young men who with the white
roughs released their recognizances TO APP
pear witnesses at the examination, which down
for Friday october - Justice Cropsey In whose
poy Jackson was, said deceased of the best
men he had 10 work for him. He OF peaceals
aud quiet disposition and never quarrel.ed with any
body. Thompson, who was employed by Mr. Monford
farm laborer, also, 1t is said, quiet and inof-
fensiye and OF sober and industrious habits
Justice Cropsey speaking Of the murderer of Jackson
said, This man. Mcclure, is very hard man. He was
arrested for stabbing man at the same place.
he meant to kill jackson, else he would not
have used stone Of such size thrown IL with such
forcen
Coroner Simms who has empanelled jury, viii COM
the inquest Monday next