The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-01-07
THE NEW ROCHELLE TRAGEDY.

THE HoMIcIDAL IMPULSES OF WORTHLESS
RowDY-HoPELEss CONDITION OF HIS VICTIM.
Richard Hanna who shot Thomas White at the
tavern called ''our House. at New Rochelle on Tues
day evening, to the County jail at White
Plains yesterday. Whites is located about a
mile and a-half from the New Haven Railroad depot
The Hanna family live next door. 1t appears that
Richard had been drinking heavily through the day at
some of the shantes on brakes lane On his way
home he dropped into Whites place to get more
liquor White, with whom he was always on friendly
terms refused the liquor and advised him to go home
Hanna persisted in his demand and would not go
home, but continued TO dispute with White Suisse
quently he lett Of his accord, but brief
absence came back This time he was again
refused liquor and was forcbly erected by White
and some neghbors who were in the barroom. In the
course OF his visits to Whites, Hanna met Aaron Webb
the colored coachman Of Mr.. lillian s Hoyt of Pei
ham, who endeavored, in friendly way to assist him
home, and who was in the baTroom when White put
him out Ii is now thought that Hanna intended the
charge which lodged in Mr.. Whites back for the negro
However that may be, he is equally cupable He had
ample time 70 reflect on ms act while gong from the
barroom TO his own house, where he obtained his gun,
which was
LOADED WITH HEAVY DUCK SHOT
on returning he found the barroom door closed and
his loud knocks for admittance elected only repeated
refIsas TO allow him TO enter He must have heard
Mr. Whites ordering hun away, and his retreat
ing footsteps he LETT the door after having barred
and fastened II, for White had hardly walked
dozen PAGES from the door when the
whole charge from Richard Hanna's gun en-
tered his back in the region of the kidneys
throwing him his face The muzzle of the gun
must have been placed close TO the door, large patch
beng burned and hole made through thick ness OF
fully two inches and half IN such way show
thai the charge had not scattered percephbity. The
who attends White OF the opinion that he
not recover Only one grain Of shot has been
tracted White vas very feeble last night and has
taken nOurshment since receiving his wound He
EnElishman, married and about fort years
OF age Hanna is notorious young rowdy although
his family quiet we'll behaved people. He is about
twenty years Of age known for his violent
temper when drunk which is about Is frequently as
opportunities will permit he chased his brother
about the town three years ago with pistol while
word for him.
cRowNER's QUEST LAW.
White has had The novel experience OF witnessing
inquest himself When the recently elected Coro-
ner, Wiliord Purdy, OF Portchester. notified of
Whites dangerous condition he proceeded TO sour
House empaDeled jury OF six citizens, took them
into the which White lying permitted
them TO view the wounded man and then submitted to
them Whites ante statement, which as
follows
STATE OF NEw YORK COUNTY wEsrcHEsrER TowN
Nkw RocHELLK-My is Thomas White |
came into my I told him go home He did not
10 when told him. AnevArd he went out and in
again and second time cut Then / fastened
the door lie stood the stoop shot
through, The door. about Owe iees from
WAIT a minute and be would '-fxn me Aner the door
fastened he beat against IL with his No
stoop With him lie under the influence liquor
We have always been good friends do think be
tended shoot IN particular There SIX OF the
at the time
Instructed by the Coroner the jury on this evidence
found verdict TO the effect that White TO his
wounds from gunshot discharged from gun in the
hands OF Richard hanna
Thus while IL appears quite likely that this shooting
Will result In Whites death, II is equally probable
the homicide will be pronounced a murder