The New York herald., 1876-07-23
THE MURRAY TRAGEDY.
Berdell's Defence in the Goshen
Police Court
WHIPPING AND SHOOTING.
How the Murrays Held and
Lashed Him.
Post MOrten Examination Of
Murray-The Inquest.

GOSHEN, N. Y, July %, 1870.
The interest in the Berdell- Murray case was much
increased owing the death Of WisAer Murray, which
occurred yesterday morning. The was
crowded with spectators. Four witnesses exam
incd day.
BERDELLs pEPRYCE THE POLICE COURT.
William Kninen, clerk in Corwin Il Merriam's store.
here testified that sold Murray the whip with which
tho beating DONE
Wells Corwin, OF the above named firm, testified
went to the depot prior to tho arrival Of the tran
both the Murrays como 10 the depot and
20 in the gcnteman's room from tho platforms
saw Berdel get or the train and go into
the depot the brothers Murray standing close to-
gether half way between the front and back door, look.
ing toward tho former; tho train had then arrived;
Bcrdcll had dark hat on; Berdell toward
the back door, passing the two Murrays stepped
toward his left and TIE other toward his right; when
Bcrdel had gone about seven feet wisner Murray
struck him with the whip, and at the time A. s.
Murray grasped his from behind; = struggle
then ensucd, Mr. Berdell trying to get away Berdeila
hat gone after about the second stroke the blows
fell on BerdclPs head face and shoulder;
BLOOD
down his face prouseiy; from to twelve blOwi
wcro struck witness saw pistol IN Berdeils hand
about three seconds before it fired he then held
the same way by A. 5. Murray, Jr., until alter the
discharge of tue pistol Mr. Berdell free
ing any OF the time witness was standing near the
front window OF the gentlemen room Watching the
aIray; Bcrdcls hands together when the pistol
fired his body bent forward, and his hands
were In motion; there was a trembling OF his hands
and waving 10 and fro of his bouy; did not hear Ber
deli say anything Murray toward the telegraph
office, but did not see where he went
WHIPPING DONE.
John Rockaleow, who resides at Orange farm, testi.
ned:-Wus at Goshen on the night OF the 18th; saw
what took place in tho depot never saw any OF tho
parties know them before tho ARRAY; my attention
first attracted to the depot by the appearance OF
being whipped and hold the person recoving the
whipping was Mr.. Bercel; the person that held him
behind him; the person doing the whipping stood
ia front OF Bedcll the blows iel on BerdclPs head
his hat was OF when the Whipping was gong on; Ber.
dell failed in getting away; remained untl after tho
pistol discharged the person that was doing the
whipping ran and jumped over tue counter of the
lunchroom; he went IN the door at the end OF the
counter; he then turned and looked back; hts
face was quite squarcly around; not
positive regard 10 that did not notice his hands,
rcma,nea looking at him until the shot was fred by
Berde; Murray was looking back from the door hen
the shot was fired; Murray fail after the pistol
went Off saw no movement OF his bands at that time;
Murrays left side was nearest to me; then looked at
Berdell, who was still being held by the man behind
him; Berdell had nothing in his hands when hrst
in; the parties were all strangers TO me, saw
nothing in Murrays hands while he was running or
jumped the counter; continued looking at
Murray until he ie; am not certain whether he made
any motion with his hands, think he raised his hands
falling; the crowd In tho room werc crowded about
the body.
WHAT JAMES FAY SAW
James Fay, who resides In Goshen, testified Il wa1
the depot the evening OF the 18th; was standing
the front door OF the gcntleInens waiting room
when the Ulster county express came in; saw Berden
get OF the east end of the train knew Wisner Murray
did not him there before the arrival OF the train
roo% ns,a my sN' al,cn.oa wa. areeasd to .ns
room by scunng; then went to mo
door; holding Berdeli from behind,
and Wisncr Murray striking him the head and
face; Berdel was held arodnd the body; Bcrdes hat
was then Off saw cut under his lett eye. and blood
his face nothing In BerdelPs hands at thai
time three four blows struck Murray then ran,
leaving, "Hold hm' Bsrdell was still being held saw
a revolver In icrdel's hands; his hands
by his side near the hip; after the blows had been
struck by Murray Berdel was being held when
Murray afterwsrd; Berdci and the man holding him
had got feet from the ticket office when tho
shot was Tired; Berdes hands were moving around
when the pistol was fired; saw nothing in Murray'i
hands; saw no movement OF Murrays hands; | re-
mained after tho firing; there was quite
number OF people there saw no one jump
over tho counter except Murray; Conner there
after the shooting, and not until then; Conner take
the pistol IRON Berdel Bcrdell was inclined to hold
II; Conner then up behind the that hold.
ing Bcrdel and reached around and took the pistol
from Berde.
The examination was then adjourned until Monday
morning ut ten O'Clock.
THE INQUEST.
Coroner j. NJ. II. Little, OF Middletown, attended AZ
the Grand Jury room OF the Court House this morning
empancl jury to hold inquest over wsner MoT.
rays remains. He received the result OF tho
post mortcm examination from the surgeons, which
corroborated the copectures Of the ply scians who
had previously given testimony. portion OF the bull
found In the back part Of the head, the two
other portions having been previously extracted from
tho skull The bullet had passed straight through
the brain, which discolored and disntcgra
ted. The other organs of the body were in a healthy
condition Coroner Little then received the following
proes, from the counsel for the defendant, after read
ing which he at adjourned the inquest until Mon
day morning, when probably another jury will be ~
pancled.
PROTEST FROM BERDELL'S COUNSEL
j. NJ IT, LITTLE, Coroner OF ORANGE
SiRThe undersigned counsel for Robert IL Berdc pro.
proceeding farther before tho
by you make inquest the death of Wsnet
Murray. Said BerdclI before you summoned jury had
charged before justice of tho by Landy
with shooting said Murray and the examination thereon
s in before said justice As are informed and
believe there partsans and friends OF said Murray and
Berdell on said and some Of the jurors
by yau selected and chosen the recon-
mendation Of counsel prosecuting said charge and as We
believe said free partially
the whole Is proper to take
the inquest this We also protest against fhe i'm
serng any inqustion of said jury and finding
me touching affecting the question Of the guilt
noccnce OF said Berd~l statement OF iscts which
may be used to 10 prejudice"
The remains OF Wisner Murray will be buried 70
morrow afternoon, irom St james Episcopal church
this place.
Last evening the Board OF Village Trustees held
meeting at which appropriate resolutions wero passed.
The Board will attend tho funeral In body, rs VIII
al IN 40 M IN Goshen Lodge OF