The New York herald., 1875-07-19
A DOUBLE MURDER.

RIoTINa AMONG NEGROES IN THE EIGHTH
wARD-AN NFURIATED coLoRED MAN KILLS
ONE OF HIS RACE AND FATALLY WOUNDS
ANOTHER.
The colored population OF the Eighth ward were
almost wild wlta excitement yesterday afternoon.
A fight had occurred among party OF persons OF
their race, and double murder had been COM
mltted. throughout the afternoon the station
house at the corner ofPrince and Wooster streets
was literally beseged with the descendants
or Ham and the sidewalks in the neghborng
thoroughiares presented a holiday appearance.
When person who had witnessed the tragedy
was found eager crowds pressed around and piled
him witn questions. dozen direreni versions
Of the affair were anoat and much difficulty was
experienced in getting at the facts IN the case
until Captain Mcdonnell repaired IN person TO the
scene or the murder and unrayelled the mystery
by arresting number OF witnesses
IL appears that on Saturday night Thomas Sor-
rell and his boon companion, Daniel Matthews,
both colored men, between twenty-five and thirty
years OF age, visited the saloon OF John Lyle, on
Thlrteth street. near Seventh avenue, where sew
eral negroes were engaged in gambling
Alter looking on q while the new comers
concluded to join in the game, and seats
were accordingly assigned them. From
the start Ma theIs lost, and his Ill luck
soon soured his temper. He began objecing 10
the manner in which the game was being con-
Quoted. and took exceptions to certain acts OF
'Jenn Saunders, one or the players. A fight en-
sued, and Matthews and Sorrell, being in the mi
nority, were soundly thrashed.
From ali that can be learned
MATHEWS STRUCK THE FIRST BLOW.
The disturbance was quelled. however, before
any serious results happened. and the various
participants left the place.
The sequel TO the fight OF Saturday night oc-
CURED IN the lager beer saloon or Eberhard Dill
ger, at No. 52l Broome street, yesterday noon.
This locality Is densely populated with colored
people. At the time above mentioned some
twelve or fifteen colored men were sitting in
Dilger's saloon, IN groups Of two three, drink
ing and talking. when Sorrel ana Matthews
entered. Whether they had come to the
place expecting TO meet their antagonists OF
the previous evening, or accidentally happened
in, does not appear; out there they found me men
wirn whom tney mad quarrelled In tue gambling
house on Tairretn street. Mutual recognition
quickly took place and was
FOLLOWED BY THREATENING REMARKS.
There seemed 10 Ue an understanding on all
sides that the time Tor settling the dlfnculiy had
arrived. scufiie ensned. and the entire party
lett the saloon IN much CONFUSION. Upon reach
ing the street knives and razors were drawn,
and several Of Inc negroes urged on
sAugni upon Sorrell ana Matthew'S Tne latter,
nnolng themselves nAely to be oyerPowered, took
night through thompson street, pursued 3y the
mob. A number OF colored men passing IN the
neighbornood joined IN the chase. Matthews sue
ceedee In making his escape, out Sorrel VAS not
SO fortunate. When ne had run about Two blocks
he came 10 stand stilI, and. drawing
large dirk knife, denantly awaited the arrival or
his pursuers. wIlliam J. Saunders, a colored man.
who mad no part in the previous troubles. was the
the murderoua weapon, slasaing him across the
back innlcting iatai wound. Hardly had the
wounded man fallen to the ground when an I'M
known coored man, aOout thirty years OF age,
reached the spot. Sorrel turning upon him,
plunged rue knlie into his breast and
u lin
A large crowd had by THIS time collected. and
Roundsman CrooKe, assisted by two officers or
TOOK him 10 tine Prince street station house. inc
prlsouer there sta. ed thai he mad but acted IN
had tuey overtaken plm. Upon iearnlng the par
tIculars Captain Mcdonnell summoned posse OF
% traseay' where @ Se sA' succeeded % sA in arresns Ing
the fonowng named persons (an eoloredi,
supposed to have been parucipants IN
the rIot:-Wllliam Green, OF No. 81 thompson
street; Warren Grimm, OF No. $50 West thirty
elgata street; Henry Banghnaugn, Thomas HICKS.
ley. The latter was afterward discharged, 1t nav.
ing oeen soown tnat he was in no way implicated
IN the snair Dllger the proprietor OF tine beer
saloon, was also arrested.
ell. on being ques Toned BY reporter, gave
tive OF Baltimore, and my occupation is mat OF a
hostler. / went with my lrIeno, Daniel Matthews,
TO saloon on TnirLeth street, on Saturday night;
IN PLAYING SPANISH MONTE
After wnlle we mad dlt1cuty with some OF
we went into the beer saloon In Broome street this
noon Jef saunders commenced abusing me and
shook cleaVer IN my lece. he aiterN ara cut me
on the arm Win razor. The prisoners arm was
badly gasnedl Wnen tried 10 run away was
hit IN the back with Drlck. do not know the
man stabbed In the breast. never saw MIN oe-
lore.
william ]. Saunders, the man who was fatally
stabbed in the back, was sent ia an ambulance TO
Bellevue Hospital HIS condition IS very low and
NO hopes are entertained OF MS recovery.
The BODY oil the unknown man stabbed In the
breast was conveyed 70 tae Egnth precinct station
house and coroner woltman was notified.
A Jury was emDanelled, winch viewed the body
The Inquest will be ned to-day. large number
OF coiofed people visited inc station house for the
purpose oi tlentnyIng the dead man, and he was
finally decided 10 be samuel Peterson, OF syracuse.
SAUNDERS ANTE-MoRTEM STATEMENT.
The following statement was made by the
Saunders, 10 Coroner Noltman, at Bellevue Hos
pItal last MINT
This AFTERNOON shortly after Twelve O'Clock
was lifting, In company With oscar stimpi IN the
yard OF No. 20 thompson street. While sitting
tnere heard great noise IN the street. on look
ing around saw "a crowd Iunning. got up and
went 10 the sidewalk. On my arrival there on
looking toward spring street / noticed police
man man turning the corner oi Spring and Tnomp.
son streets. started ana ran toward
spring street VITA crowd OF people running,
anu on gettlng near spring street neard Tnomas
sorrell say, KIN tnat black son OF a b-nr' AT
TINS moment was alongside OF sorrel Not think
/ ing he meant those remarks Tor me paid no at
tention 10 MN. Sorren turned toward me aud
4 TOOK mold OF me, getting my nead under his Al m
| he raised his arm and noticed a knife in his
hand: was trying 10 get awav. He Inflicted
stab wound IN my back. lie released ms
| hold ana started 10 run. dropped on the
| Sidewalk. Some citizens came 10 my assistance
aud took me 10 drug store I'D south klltn ave-
nue.. Ine doctor examined me. From there was
taken 10 the Elgntn preclnct station house and re-
moved by ambulance to Bellevue Hospital / can
assign no reason Tor SOrren in1lcting these In
lures on me. | nave never mad trouble with MIN
and have never been IN his company. Have known
him about four weeks. lie was pointed out TO me
in basement In BrOome street. save lived in
TINS city for three months. Had no trouble with
any one during my stay here.