The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1876-03-08
THE KILLING OF MIR. HARDE.
MAN.
COr0ner's Inquest.
The Dying Declaration.

Coroner Chastant Tuesday morning held
an inquest in the case of the killing of Mr.. W.
D. Hardeman, the junior partner of the firm
of Preshdge. Graham & Co., who was shot
and wounded at his Office, 63 Carondelet
street, corner Of Perdido, on the evening of
the 4th inst, and who died Sunday from the
effects of his wound.
It will be remembered that Mr.. James s.
Prestidge, the senior partner of the firm. was
arrested ct the time, and is now in the Charity
Hospital; in the custody of an officer, charged
with the killing.
The following is the
DYING DECLARATION,
as spoken by Mr.. Hardeman an hour before
his death, and taken down before Hon. W. T.
Houston, justice of the peace, duly commits
stoned and sworn:
Be it known, that on the 9Th day of March,
A. D. 1876, Sunday, at the hour of 1915
o'clock, I, W. 7. Houston, First Justice of the
Peace for the parish of Orleans, duly elected,
commissioned and sworn, proceeded to take
the dying declaration of William D. H ride
man, of this city, now lying at 267 Josephine
street, who being in conscious condition,
though sinking rapidly, and aware of his ap-
lows:
That his name is VIM. D. Hardeman that
he is AZ years of age the 5th of November
that he feels that he is going to die that the
doctor has told him so, and that he feels that
some vital organ has been struck that he
does not know whether he will be able to fin
ish this statement !; that James S. Prestidge
had been acting badly about collecting
money.
We were discussing that point in the cotton
room, back of the Office, 63 Carondelet
street, about 7:3O o'clock last evening.
Preshdge said to me that he had done the
best he could and was not going to be kicked
out of the firm.
Charles E. Black, lnother partner, was
present. remarked to Prestidge that, if that
was his idea of doing business, we could not
go on, and that would stannounce dissolu-
ton of the firm. 1t now remains to be seen
what you will do with this"
He (Prestidge) put his hand behind his
back to his right side. He used his right
hand. I remarked to him that was not
afraid of his pistol, but that had none. Hs
fired at me and hit me on the left side. just
on the edge of the ribs. started towards
him; he drew another pistol; then I turned
and ran towards the door dividing the Office
from the salesroom, when he fred the second
time, hitting my clothing, but not me, to my
knowledge
then gathered heavy lignum Vita ruler,
and approached him with it, when he threw
both OF his pistols at me. I assailed him with
the ruler, striking him several times on the
head, when the ruler broke. 1 continued the
struggle with him with my hands until
separated by the police and other parties.
was brought to this point-at Mr.. r. 81.
Mars residence, on Josephine street, be-
tween Camp and Chestnut by one policeman
and some friends in hack.
When Prestidge threw the pistol at me,
threw the tumblers at him from the water
cooler, and hit him with them. wrote some
! time ago to the senior member of the firm,
/ the man who has the capital in it, that
Prestidge was cross with me, and was carry
| ing pistols, believed.
I therefore determined to carry no pistol
there to the meeting with him last evening.
That is all.
After having had the declaration read over
to me, desire to add that the meeting last
evening with Prestidge was by my appoint.
ment, to discuss money matters.
am unable to sign from weakness. de-
sire to make my Cross.
| w. D. X HARDEMAN.
R. H. MARR,
| PERRY NUGENT.
Sworn to and subscribed before me, on the
/ Holy Evangelist, this 9Th day of March, A. D.
1876, at II o'clock 10 minutes.
w. T. Houston,
First Justice of the Peace for the
Parish of Orleans.
i furfhor rorfifu fhok <hic ant WIG
made in my presence and that of two wit.
nesses, who have signed to the mark; that
afiiant made his statements to me without
suggestion or question, and that reduced
them to writing without alteration or change.
w. T. Houston,
First Justice of the Peace for the Parish
of Orleans, State of Louisiana.
Mr.. W. T. Houston was the first witness
placed on the stand, and he swore to having
taken down the dying declaration of Mr..
W. D. Hardemsn as it was spoken by him.
Mr.. Charles E. Black am q partner in
the firm of Prestidge, Graham & Co., doing
business in this city at the corner of Perdido
and Caronde ct street.
On Saturday evening, at about 7:30, We
were present in the ofice-Ar. Prestidge,
Msior Hardeman, MI. Richardson, Mr.. Will.
SON and myself. Mr.. Prsstidge, Major Harde.
man and myself retired to Che cotton room tc
have conversation in regard to some dis
puted points in regard to the management Of
our business.
There were high words between Mr.. Pres
tidge and Mr.. Hardeman. We wanted Mr..
Pfestidge to go into the country (Mr. Harde.
man and myself) Mr.. Prestidge said that be
was partner in the firm, and said that we
should not dictate to him where he should
60, as he was the best judge Of that himself
| Major Hardeman still ins,sted that it was his
duty, as he was paid to &c. Mr.. Prestidge
said that he did not belong to Prestidge
Graham & Co, but was partner in the firm,
and had right to say when he should go
after which Major Hardeman said if he wanted
war he could have it.
MIR. Prestidge asked him what he would d.
and Mr.. Hardeman replied that he would pub
fish the dissolution Of the firm. Mr.. Pres
tidge said be dared not do it. Mr. Harde
man advanced step towards him with hi'
hands in the arm holes of his vest aud sale