Vicksburg weekly herald., 1877-08-03
soHae More shOOtIBg-Death Of
AR Murphy.

Nlcks0uFB VIII euJO9 Al ShNtaDlS
reputation after awhile. A few more
shooting scrapes and killings will con-
vince the world that we have super
abundance OF population down this
way, and that citizens find 1t their
most profitable business to engage in
getting rid Of each other by Violent
methods. Yesterday morning, about
Ii o'clock, Mr.. A. r. Murphy, former
ly an Alderman from the Third Ward,
was shot down In the streets by John
Gavigan. The tragedy had It's origin
In 9 dispute over the settlement OF the
business OF the late Joseph Gavigan,
brother of John, and who was once q
partner with Mr.. Murphy in rafting
timber. The following proceedings
before the Coroner's Jury give the
particulars Of the shooting:
DR.. II, shannon, sw0rn-l am q prac.
ticlng physician Of this city. Twas called
to-day TO see Mr.. Murphy, who was re-
ported shot. On arriving found Mr..
Murphy unconscious and dying. He died
soon afterwards. (On being requested 10
examine the wounds, DR.. Shannon con.
tinued,) find on examination gun.shot
wound 10 the right breast, between the
second and third ribs, next 70 the breast
bone, through the right lung aud directly
into the body. Probabilities are that some
large artery was cut. This wound was
sufficient TO produce death. also ind
shot wound In the right shoulder, passing
through the shOuldeF.blade and ranging a
little upward. A third wound 10 found In
the lett arm, outer portion, ranging into
the shoulder joint, striking the arm about
the middle Of the upper third. All OF the
balls are still 10 the body.
James COughlln, swoTn-I saw Murphy
and a man with Q straw hat on meet on the
corner OF LeVee and south streets.
heard the man say, raising pistol, SNOW
you g. b., l am ready" and then
tted two shots quickly. Murphy wheeled
and ran across the street into Mrs. Nc.
Cune's grocery, the man with the pistol
following rapidly and tiring a third shot.
saw both parties distinctly, and know
that Mr.. MURPHY had no weapon In mis-
handS. When Tue shooting was over, the
man, whom know by sight (having haul
ed trunk for him once }, went into Plerce's
saloon In the Vlcksburg.hOuse, and soon
after gave himself up. would know the
man again II saw him.
Joseph Billetz, swOrn-I saw man who
wOIe straw hat standing on the corner
at the Vicksburg-house, holding in his
right hand a large pistol. Mr.. Murphy
went across the street toward the NiCks.
burg.hOuse In hurry, as IL on business.
When he got pretty near the corner the
man with the pistol In his hand raised the
pistol and said: "NOw you s. b." or
something like that, and fired at Murphy.
Murphy turned and ran, and while he was
retreating the man fired twice again and
snapped the pistol for = fourth shOt. The
firing was apparently unexpected by Muir.
ply, for he turned and ran as quickly as
ne could. saw no weapon In Murphy's
hand.
Mrs. Eliza McCune-Mr. Murphy had
been In my house where had some cheer
full conversation with him as usual, he ap.
pearing in good spirits, and went out
about fifteen or twenty minutes before the
shooting occurred. When | heard the
shots | supposed II was the dog killer, and
paid little attention 70 the matter. still,
] started toward my door and was met by
Mr.. Murphy, who ran in very rapidly all
covered with blood. He hurried past me
into bar room, and as l stepped to the
door where he came In, saw the man who
had done the shooting. did not know his
name, but would know him II saw him.
went back TO the room and found Mr..
H1s ~ lAht NhA uhuANAJ hllEA " ~ ~
dead. Mr.. Murphy had no pistol Or weap.
on about his person.
James FogArty-l saw GaYigan tire the
second and third shots, heard the first
shot but did not see IL. Murphy was rum
ming away from Gavigan when saw him.
When Murphy ran into Mrs. McCune's
house, be cried out ~ Lord I'm killed, 20
for a doctor" and went of after DR.. shan.
non and brought him; when We returned
Murphy was dying, and died soon after.
wards When the iiring began, was only
about lOO feet or 50 from the two parties.
a lew minutes before the shooting, Muir.
ply was standing near me, taking 10 some
parties and he seemed cheerful, and ap.
peared TO be about his ordinary business.
DE passed by where | was sitting, and
nodded recognition, then went across the
street TO the NicGsburE House, Soon
ater that heard the shot, and turned In
time to see what have already related.
Frank Il. Pierce John T. Gayigan met
me IN my back yard this forenoon, an d
holding pistol In his hand said: "pve
found this pistol In the water closet; do
you know whose II lsy' told him It was
capt. MilleT's, paid no more attention
70 this, but drew bucket OF wafer and
returned TO my saloon, 10 nut The water
into the cooler. While doing this saw
Mr., murphy coming across the street TO-.
ward my house, and having some business
With him, went 10 the door TO meet MIN.
Just as l got 10 the screen | heard the
voice OF Gavigan, who had gone around
from the yard through an old building
formerly occupied ny Mr. Mcnamara,
thence to South street. Gavigan said: III
would like TO know something about Joe's
business" (meaning his brother, who is
now dead.) Murphy said: "fes, III
teil YOU" and thel eleup0n put his right
hand into the right pocket Of his panta.
looms. Then Gavigan said: II am ready
LOT you, adding something which could
not understand, aud opened tre at ouce
npon Murphy, who Immediately wheeled
ana ran away toward Mrs. McCune's.
GaEigan followed, still firing, and Murphy
ran into Mrs. McCune's. Then Gayigan's
pistol snapped. Four shots were fired in
all The first three sounded loud, the last
Not so loud. recognize this tve-shot
Remington revolver as the one that Gayi.
gan had and used. The fourth shot was
not as loud as The other three. came out
Of my saloon Immediately after the first
shot. l sRw no weapons In Murphy's
hands, nor did see him make any resist.
anee. He wheeled and retreated at once.
GaVlgan was perfectly sober at the time,
Have never heard any threats from either
though seeing both quite frequently,
Gavisan was boarder In my house,
Andrew Jacks0n-l stepped around the
corner at Pierce's, and Just then heard
murphy say, "Pll give IL tU yOn Ow," put.
ting his hand 10 his pocket aud stepping
OacG 50 as to almost run against me.
also stepped out Of the way and went into