The New York herald., 1875-12-26
A CHRISTMAS TRAGEDY.
a MAN MoaT4I.1y sRog IN. 4 cRQwp-AND NC

MAN MORT MoGTAIs41 sRQg IN cRowD-AND NO
VS. ONE (?) SEES THE MURDER.
Shortly after two O'Clock yesterday morning a man
named Caspar Ross, of No. 90 avenue c. rushed into
the Seventeenth precinct station house informed
the sergeant at the desk that had been shot in
Second street, and was then being conveyed to that
station house. and asked to have a surgeon ready TO
treat the wounded man. few minutes later August
Zernow, aged twenty-soven years. of No. 1872 Second
street. brought bleeding from the abdomen and
in an unconscious state He cared for in the sta
ton house, but about twenty minutes alter his arrival
thore he died
Captain McCulloch at instituted search for
evidence in the case and by daylight had arrested the
following named persons who were the last who had
been in the dead mans company:-Caspar Ross
William Johann, of No 1872 Second street; John
Oakley, Of the same address; Jacob Ross of No. 100
Second street; II. G. Smith and J. T. Gorman OF No.
173Second street, J, Lahr, of No I60 Second street
and n. B Man, Of No ia Second street
Coroner Woltman was summoned TO take charge OF
the case early IN the forenoon, and arriving at the
station house had conference with Captain
McCulloch and his detectives In reference to the eyi
dence they had obtained and the parties they had
rested The prisoners all brought from the cells
the Captains room, and subjected to a question
ing by both the Coroner and his deputy, Dr. Cushman
IL soon became evident that Lahr and German knew
nothing of the shooting save what they had learned
from conversation with others of the party. They
admit having heard tho discharge Of the weapon; but
they were in neghborng saloon the time and the
report came from the street. From the statements of
the other persons appears that the entire party now
under arrest had been
or A SPREE ALL MIGHT,
and had visited several saloons wherein they had
drank ieey The last saloon they visited that
kept by Henry c. Smith, at No Ira Second street.
There they remained some time o dispute finally aris-
ing between Zernow and Caspar Ross in regard TO
some pigeons which the former claimed 70 have
bought from Smith Ross said the birds
his, and in endeavor 70 support his
title to them became exceedingly demonstratve and
violent In his language AT last the party, with the
exceptions OF Lahr German and Smith, went into the
street, where Zernow, Ross and Johann renewed the
quarrel In about two three minutes after the men
had left the saloon the report OF pistol was heard
-Four shots fired but yet the authorities In
ignorance who did the shooting The statements
OF all the parties concerned vary materially All say
they heard the shots but deny having a pistol
One two the fash but yet they persist In saying
that they have idea who held the fatal weapon
weapons.
In view OF the fact that Lahr and German we're in the
saloon al the time OF the shooting the Coroner dis.
charged them from custody Smith, however, who
also remained inside but who, the Coroner believes,
knows Of the shooting than he tell,
sent, together with Oakley and Jacob Ross TO the
House of Detention, there to be held witnesses
Caspar Ross and Johann sent to the Tombs
principals, Coroner Wotman and Captain McCulloch
both being of the opinion that either
the fatal shots Coroner Woltman empanelled a jury
and had IL view the body Of the murdered man as
lay stretcher in the station house, after which the
jurors discharged until the inquest is held
Captain McCullagh stated TO the HERALD reporter
that the entire party connected with this sad affair
known to be bad and dangerous characters Ii is
doubtful however that this is literally for,
quiry ~ other quarters IL was ascertaned that Caspar
Ross carries on respectable business in Eleventh
street the East River. No pistols or arms of any
description found any Of the persons arrested,
but as from To two hours had elapsed between the
shooting and the arrest OF the accused II will readily
be seen that they had ample opportunity to dispose Of
anything OF this kind.