The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-22
MURDER OF COUNSELLOR MACKEY.
WHAT THE AcrlNG SUPERINTENDENT or THE
BROOKLYN POLICE Is DOING IN THE CASE


BROOKLYN POLICE Is DOING IN THE CASE
THE ANTEcEpENrs OF THE DECEASED.
Inspector George waddy, who is Acting Supcrn-
tendent OF the brooklyn Police Department, xesler-
day had two officers working up such particulars
could be ascertaned to throw light upon the myse-
rious murder OF Counsellor James H. Macksy. whose
body was found In dense thicket three miles south
the town Of Newport, KY, on Monday last As stated
in the HERALD OF Tuesday. Coroner wnslow, OF Gin
cinnat, Ohio, which place IL near Newport. tele-
sraphed to the Brooklyn authorities 70 know what dis
position should be made OF the body. Inspector waddy
sent nrst to tho residence Of Mr. Lewis tho former
partner Of the deceased but learned that he
of town. real estate agent, william N. Benedict.
who has an ONCE In tho building with Mr. Lewis, tel
egraphed to several relatives OF the unfortunate gen
tleman, informing them OF tho facts which had been
elected. He elographcd to Rev. James Mackey. pas
tor OF the Roman Catholic Church at Ogdensburg, N
Y, who is an uncle of the deceased, and also 10 two
sisters. who are at present stopping at Cornwall
the Hudson. For several months past Mr. Mackey's
health has been very poor, and he frequently spoke OF
going out West to Denver with u view settling
there permanently. On Monday, July so, Mr. Mackcy
informed Mrs Chadwick, the lady at whose house In
State street he boarded, that he intended going
West and might be absent from to six weeks, but
that II he did not return he would inform her of
q
small carpelbas, leaving his trunk, books and other
effects behind him. As he SAID he had ready money
he requested tho LADY named TO pay some small bills
which no owed. Though in his usual good spirits at
tho time Of his departure, be was suffering from a
severe cough The Inspector states that while mod
oratoly temperate the deceased occasionally ndulged
in a glass OF wine. Before leaving Brooklyn
he cosctcd about $500. ana had with MIN
costly gold watch and chain, OF which
mention is made III the Western dispatches The
precise time of his departure from Brooklyn not
known but Detective Looney ascertsned That the do
ceased visited Coney Island on Monday after leaving
his boarding house. There he mot Mr.. Herman
Timing, Of Atlantic avenue, but said nothing 10 that
gentleman about his contemplated trip to the West.
The railroad ticket will sbow however, the date OF his
arrival at Cincinnati, which may afford the detectives
OF that city ccw upon which ID begin their abors
unruveiing the thread oil mystery which at present
envrons the tragedy.
THEORY OF HIS DEATH. t.t.tt
Inspector Waddy says from the Information re-
ceved, meagre though Is he gives credence TO tho
theory OF murder. ITO says 1t Is pronable that MIR.
Mackey met his death at the hands OF some persons
living in CINCINNATI, VINO, IN moment oil excitement,
struck the fatal blow aud them in order conceal all
trace OF their crime, and being familiar with tue
locality, took the corpse In wagon at night TO the
thcket where after several days 1t was found Tue
suicide theory is not tenablc, he says nor Is 1t Al all
probable that Mr. Mackey walked out to the lonely
spot where the decomposcd remains were DIS
IN Brooklyn, where he had fair practice, his
last prominent case beng AZ counsel Tor Mr. William
A. Cot, the contestant in the Cot Will case which
decided adversely to tho interests OF his client
fact which he Is said to have taken greatly TO heart
A meeting of the Bar Association, OF which he was
member, Will be held IN few days 10 take action IN
TO their deceased associate It is not credited
In Brooklyn that no was followed by an enemy from
thai Guy md 1t the same llme the police say IL IL
somewhat difficult to for The fact that, II rob-
berry tho only incentive 70 tho pertetrat0n OF the
crime $1o5 should have been permitted remain on
the body together with the papers which SO clearly
led TO his identification. .+.,.4 .4t..
Mr.. Benedict, who mad been an intimate acquaint
uAtM MnnkaU nFpa INT tNu
details concerning the personal history Of thas gehte
man. Deceased was ABOUT thlrty-nve years OF age,
and when prosecuting his studies III carly lite was IT,
tended for Catholic clergyman but he formed taste
for The study OF law aud admitted due time TO
practice at the bar. He suffered from severe br0n-
cnia affection Tor years. which greatly retarded
his professional advancement though he was a hard
stude ut and careful man. About year ago be was
forced TO allow mortgage which he had on
brown stone house In FIRST street, near Prospect
Park, TO be orcclosed He had purchased the house
about three years ago and iur"ishod IT, having in
tended to keep house there with MS sisters, he being
unmarried THIS latter arrangement was not carried
out his did not like the location. He
very rsticent with his about anything up.
pertaining 10 his personal affairs though he frequently
spoke about the favorable coalition the cate in
the West and OF his intention Of settling tucrs AZ
time Some mouths ago he disposed oil his library.
About year ago he told his landlady that no had
some business troubles, and was gong to California,
that he did aot know whether he would come back
| agan or not When that lady asked him what dis
position be desired 10 b. made OF bird and other per-
sonal effects he leaving behind uim, he told her
give bird her daughter and dispose VI he other
|
Dut returned after tow weeks absence, aud II was
tuen understood that he had boon to Ohio and other
parts OF the West Some Of his acquaintances speak OF
his Of Iato having beon melancholy, and an
Incident rs roated TO the effect that about Two weeks
before os final departure IRON Brooklyn Mr.. Mackey
went TO ride with some friends, who noticed with
much concern his extraordinary silence aud reserve,
as no sat IN their company Tor Two hours without
speaking word He WAS born In Brooklyn and
searcher 10 the Registers office. lie
had slsters OF whom Is In tho Convent OF ,he
Sacred Heart; Is married and resides at Y0nkers
and the other two ladies' who are single, public
school teachers In the employ OF the Brooklyn Board