The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-06-23
THE NEWTON CASE.
The Verdict.
Guilty of Murder.

/
| The trial of Alex. Newton for the murder OF
Justin Bourdonnay, which has excited SO
much attention and interest in this commu-
nifty for several days past, ended yesterday in
the Jury giving an unqualified verdict of
guilty.
We give below the facts of the case, as pub
lished by the BULLETIN at the time the muir
der occurred:
On the evening of September l. 1874, dur
| ing public meeting at the corner of Canal
and Royal streets, when Justin Bourdonnay
was quietly coming along Canal street, he was
rudely brushed by one Alexander Newton,
well-known sporting man in this community.
Mr.. Bourdonnay said; $50 away, I don't
know you; l don't want to fight with you "
Whereupon Newton repeated the insult, adding
| II can kill any son Of BIB in the White
League" Upon which Mr.. B. grasped Newton
for the purpose of defending himself when
| Newton drew bowie-knife and plunged 1t
| into the heart of his victim, without word Of
| warning.
The crowd gathered around in dense throng
to witness the dark tragedy; women, men and
children gazing upon the CHASTITY wound and
blood stained streets in amazement, and so
great was the excitement that the crowd,
swaying to and fro in their wildness, trampled
unconsciously upon the body of the murder
ed man.
| After Newton had executed the bloody
deed he fled up Canal to St Charles street.
and entering the Crescent Hall, he seized
purpose of resisting an arrest. Mr.. Boult,
who has charge Of the oyster stand. imme-
diately took the bottle away from Newton,
who then fed through the Crescent Hall
yard into st. Charles street and thence to
Camors's restaurant; entering there he defied
! the police to arrest him.
| Special Devereaux, with his usual GOODNESS
and bravery, assisted by that worthy officer.
Mccartney, gave him to understand that they.
wanted him, and without more ado he was
taken to the First Precinct Station and safely
locked up.
The knife with which the deed was done
was an old-fashioned black handled bowie
knife, about nine inches in length and double
edged. The assassin knew we'll his work, for
with unerring aim he plunged the weapon be-
tween the third and fourth ribs. severing the
heart, the blood rushing in copious flood
from the wound and dripping through his ears
from hemorrhage.
The wound was about four inches in width,
and one of the most CHASTITY nature. The
scene at the station was one of the greatest
excitement; hundreds of citizens and po-
lieemen gathered around the Office, where
the body lay; expressions of regret and SYM
pathy were heard from all sides for the death
of so peaceable and worthy citizen.
From all we CLEAN Mr.. Bourdonnay was
man of most peaceable disposition and quiet
in his demeanor. industrious and hard work
ing. This man, taken suddenly away by the
knife of the assassin, leaves q wife and SIX
children to mourn his loss. MIR. B. was
bright light in the Masonic fraternity, being q
member Of the Polar Star Lodge F. and A. M.
The prisoner, Alexander Newton, for some
time past has been known as desperate man
in this community. This, it is said, is not
the first bloody deed which is upon the hands
of this man.
When not under the influence of liquor he
was courteous and agreeable in his manner,
and had many warm friends, but when IN
liquor he Lecame demoniacal and seemed to
lose his entire senses.
It is seldom that we are panied to chronicle
so bold and outrageous deed as this one, per-
petrated upon the public streets of largely
populated city like this. committed IN the
presence of hundreds of persons passing to
and fro on Canal street, and at SO early an
honr in the evening as to render it one OF the
most GAZING duu AASAeAouuOU oooooSAAe'sAo>AS
on record.
Waiting for the Verdict.
Again yesterday the Superior Criminal
Court room was crowded and the banquette in
front was thronged with persons unable to
get in. A deputy sheriff was stationed at each
door, to prevent the entrance OF too large
crowd, aud they had their hands full.
At about 1915 o'clock Judge Braughn en-
tered and the court was called to order. For
a moment there was murmur and sllght
| connection, which was promptly quieted by
| the sheriffs.
The regular opening business Of the court
was conc through with, and then the Sheriff
was instructed to call the jury in the Newton
case.
Then there was intense and, though sup
pressed, manifest excitement. Q1ite num-
Der of the spectators stood up some looked
towards the room from which Newton was tc
come, and others looked above, to the jury
room.
In few minutes the jury appeared, and
there was hutter throughout the court
| room.
The faces of the jurymen were eagerly
scanned, and there were many whispered
expressions of opinion. The sherifs restored
quiet. and succeeded in maintaining it.
After the Jury had been seated, Newton
was brought in surrounded by Deputy
Sheriffs.
He was haggard and pale, and his general
appearance did not display that care and at,
tention which through the trial has charac
terized it.
Judge Braughn asked: Gentlemen of tn
Jury, have you agreed?" and the formal
answered, "We have not" So low was tn
reply that, although the utmost quiet reigned
it was heard by but few of the crowd, and
was not until Judge Braughn had ordere.
, the Sheriff to again lock the jury up that
was understood there was no agreement, an
! the crowd poured out.
, A recess until o'clock was ordered.
At 1:25 o'clock the court again assembled
, with the same large crowd in attendance, ant
the jury was called into court, nd aat l 3
: o clock o verdict OF
Il Guilty
xros doro1