The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1876-03-21
THE LATE HOHICIDE.
State vs.. Prestidge.
The Testimony Before the Magis-
trate.
CHARLES 4, BLACK


Direct examination by s. N. J. Smith, Esq:
Q-Mr. Black, what is your business?
A.-Commissio merchant cir.
Q. just give the clerk your residence.
Any residence is 3l3 Coliseum street.
Q.-Where do you do business?
A-No. 63 Oarondelet street.
Q-What is the style of your house?
A-The style now is Graham, Black l. Co.
Q.-What was it on the 9Th Of this month
A.-The style was then Prestidge, Graham
& Co.
A.-Were you present at business meeting
of the partners Of the house on the evening Of
the 4th Of March?
A.-Yes, sir.
Q-Who was present beside Yourself?
AIR. Prestidge, Major Hardeman and
myself.
Q-Where did that meeting take place?
An the cotton room back of the office.
Q-Now state all that occurred there 1t
that meeting?
A.-The conversation was opened by me
saying to Mr.. Prestidge and Major Hardeman
that Major Hardeman had requested this
meeting Mat we might have some better M
derstanding in regard to the conduct of the
business, as there had been several misunder-
standings; seemed to be bad feeling be-
tween them. thought it was we'll for US to
go on without any further difficulty. It was
suggested at the meeting that Mr.. Prestidge
should 60 to the country, and Major Harde-
man made some remarks about his course
when last in the country not having accom-
plished great deal of good; and harsh words
were used from one to the other. I can't re-
member the exact expressions that were made
use of. Mr.. Hardeman said that If Mr.
Prestidge wanted to have war he could have
it. Mr.. Prestidge asked him what he would
do. He said he would dissolve the firm. Mr.
Prestidge said that he dared not do
that. Well, Major Hardeman said that
he would do it. Az he made the
remark he would do it-that he would an
he advanced toward Mr.. Prestidge, put his
hands in his vest arm holes a. near % can
remember. Mr.. Prestidge drew back and put
his hands behind him under his coat; told
him that that was no way to settle the diff
Guilty; he must not draw or use any pistol;
that we were here to discuss business, not to
quarrel.
By Major New:
Q-Told who that?
AIR. Prestidge put nv hand on his
arm; he withdrew his hand; Major Hardeman
advanced again toward him saying. "Tm not
afraid Of you or your pistol, and in moment
Mr.. Prestidge fred as he advanced.
Major Hardeman then retreated to tho
Office and got this ruler from his desk, and
came back towards Mr. Presidge. Mr.. Pres.
tidge fred again. don't remember; there
were some tumblers thrown; my recollection
is indistinct whether the tumblers were
thrown before or after he went into tn Office;
however, the tumblers were thrown. I know
there were some thrown after he came out of
the Office by him.
Q.-Who do you mean by him ?
AIR. Hardeman; Mr.. Preshdge threw
his pistol-one or both, don't remember.
I know he threw one; they then olinched-
Major Hardeman and Mr.. Prestidge. I en-.
deavored to separate them, and succeeded in
getting them apart once or twice, when they
would come together again; and finally they
were separated, and asked the Major if he
was hurt; he told me that he was shot. put
him on the sofa in the front Office, and pc.
iceman came in and asked me who did the
shooting I told him Mr.. Prestidge did the
shooting.
Q-Well, what was done with Major Harde-
man?
Al sent for Dr.. Brickell and DR.. Chop
pin. Dr.. Brickell came first and examined
his wound, and said that no had better 20
home, or be taken homo Immediately; he
then took M ,jor Hardeman TO Mr.. MARI
house, ON Josephine street; took him up
stairs there and put him to bed.
o-Did you accompany thems
Q.-How long after this was Il? How long
did you remain with MI. Hardemsn ct Nj.
Harr's house?
Al remained with him until the next
morning. went out Of the house several
times, but returned there. went out ON
errands for Mr.. Mari.
Q-Were you there ct the time the dying
declaration was made?
A.-No, sir; went down town.
Q.-Were you present ct the time Of his
death?
A.-No, sir; leftthe house about 9 O'Clock
in the morning.
Q.-What time did You return?
Al didn't return until after l o'clock.
On what condition did you find Mr..
Hardeman?
Al didn't go up stairs, but MI. Mari told
me he was dead
Q.-Did you see the body at all after that ?
+ Al saw him the following day.
Dead. then?
A.-Yes, sir; he was in his coffin.
s Cross-ex animation by Mr.. Miller:
Q-Who appointed this meeting?
A.-The meeting was appointed by Major
Hardeman.
Q.-The meeting was appointed by Major
Hardeman? ~
A.-Yes, sir.
Q-At what hour of the day did Major
Hsrdeman announce his wish To- have this
meeting? -
Ale wrote Mr.. Prestidgs a1not6eto his
residence after Mr.. Prestidgs had u 70 his
dinner. -
Q.-That VAS at what dine, r.?
A.-Some time between 4 and s o'clock.
Q.-Mr. Prestidge had left the Office at that
time?
A.-Yes, sir.
Q-Had your attention been directed to
anything that passed between Mr.. Presfdge
and Major Hardeman on the morning of that
day?
Objected to by the counsel for the State.
Objection overruJed.
Any attention was called; noticed that
Mr.. Prestidge and Major HAEdeman were hav-
ing hard words at Mr. Prestidsea DIX in his
part Of the Office. I heard q = qd1sfeling,
but didn't hear what thew ~ saving.