The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1876-03-23
THE HOMICIDE AT THE LAKE.
Killing of G. w. Rockwell.
The Coroner's Investigation.

Inc COrOn0r'S lnvoSCl61tlOn.
Coroner Chastant yesterday commenced his
investigation in the matter of the killing Of
G. Washington Rockwell. who was shot and
instantly killed at the Lake End on the night
of the 18th inst
Ben H,rrisson sworn and testified as fol-
lows-I know nothing of the killing; was
not present when it took place; at twilight on
the evening of the 18th of March was ON the
gallery at Mi d Hoyts house at the New AXE
End, Shell Road; heard three shots fred
from the direction of Tony's House, dis
lance OF about five hundred feet from where
Twas; my back was turned to Tony's; after
the lapse of few moments Tony came
running over and stated that Wash Rockwell
had just been killed on his gallery.
Immediately proceeded there in company
with M4jor Ryan, Leon Camors and Mr..
Riddle; saw the deceased sitting down in an
arm chair, in a perfectly natural position, and
when put my hand on him. found him per-
fectly dead; he evidently had not moved a
single muscle from the time he was shot
until he died. Mr.. Camors took hold of him
on the right and on the lett; raised him
from the chair, and the chair was removed by
lery. We both felt the pulse about the wrists
and the heart, and found that all pulsation
had ceased and the man was dead; from the
time I heard the pistol to the time felt his
pulse, it was about five minutes. Finding
this was the case. returned to Hoyt's House,
got in my buggy, drove up to the Metropoli-
tan Station, near the cemetery, 6nd notified
the officer in charge to notify Capt. Taylor,
who was not present, to send an officer to
take charge Of his remains.
There is no possible doubt but what the de-
ceased was killed instantly while sitting in the
chair. He had no coat or hat, and On open.
ing his vest to feel the pulsation of the heart,
I found the deceased to be bleeding profusely.
When Toney informed me that Wash Rock.
well was killed, he stated that he thought Mr.
Desposito had shot him, but that he was in
his bar at the time mixing drinks for them.
Autonis Cajdero was next called and said
I live at the New Lake End; am the propri.
etor of Tony's house at the New Lake End;
on ST. Patricks day, at about $50 o'clock in
the evening, two parties, strangers to me,
came to my house and asked for something to
eat; one of the men-the small one-I knew,
and would recognize him at any time; they did
not appear to be drunk; when they were sit
tlrg at the table the dead man told me to
fetch the cognac.
1 served them with their dinner myself.
When went for the cognac heard the pis-
toll; about three shots were fred in rapid cue.
cession. left the bar and ran towards the
largest man, who was dead in bis chair. I
saw the small man leave the table and 20
away. He was ten or twelve feet from the
table when I saw him running away. The
man who was running away had no hat or
coat; did not see any pistol in his hand;
did not find any pistol around; /. knew the
man who ran of. but don't know his name.
[Coat and hat shown to witness I saw the
same hat on the railing of the gallery. did
not pay much attention to the coat. The
bar.room is about ten or twelve feet from
where they we're sitting.
When they first arrived at my house they
appeared to be friendly. then became excited
and talked loud; don't know who used the
oaths, as they were both cursing one another
when they ordered the cognac; there were
only these two men together at the house.
Calonia Videl was next called and exam
ined-I live at Tony's house, at the New
Lake End. am employed there as cook;
know nothing of the shooting; was in the
kitchen at the time; when I heard the shots
dead in chair.
Sergeant Philip Taylor-I am in command
of the Suburban station. On the evening of
18th inst was informed by the officer in
charge Of the station that he had been in
formed that Wash Rockwell was murdered at
the New Lake End; on my learning of the
fact, Immediately mounted my horse and
started for the place; when about half way, I
met an elderly gentleman with his wife who
were returning from the Lake End in buggy;
1 inquired Of them in regard to tie murder,
and they told me that they intended to report
it to the First Precinct Station; when
reached the Lake End found the body Of
Wash Rockwell lying on the gallery at Tony's
House; placed an officer in charge of the
body and returned to tho station.
The jury then brought in q verdict that the
deceased, G.. Washington Rockwell, came to
his death from gunshot wound from pistol
in the hands Of some unknown party, sup
posed to have been Mr.. Robert Dssposito.
1900 BALES CoTToN AT AUCTION.
Noch h I'D