New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-10
LOCAL MISCELLANY.


INQUEST ON THE MURDERED POLICEMAN.
TESTIMONY or JAMES H. MISUNDERSTANDING
BEFORE THE CORONERs IN JERSEY CITY--FEW
NEW FACTS ELECTED.
The inquest in the case of Richard II. Smith,
the Jersey City policeman who murdered in that
city Thursday morning OF last week. was begun last
evening In the Hudson County Court House, Jersey
City Heights. Long before the hour, O'CLOCK the
steps and walks in front OF the Court House were
covered with men. The courtroom was crowded WIN
persons including several women.
The Jurors mpanelled by Coroner Roman the DAY OIL
the murder occupied seats the left OF the witness
stand The Jury is composed Of Albert j. Rapp, william
c. Matthew'S Benjamin f. Welsh John H. F1eEens' Johh
r. Everett William Wyks Frederick Tau Ihonlas Mc-
Donald william LOhmOH, John MeMahon' JOhh OiaIA-
son. and Clair Coroner Roman, In whose district
,he murder occurred and Coroner Crane, sat In tue
Judges chairs. Among those present we're james REM
ming counsel for Covert d. Bennett William d. DaY
who has been engaged by Alderman Smith, the murdered
officers brother and Isaac w. Taylor, the Assistant D
trict-Attorney Of Hudson County.
James H. MacGregor who lived in the upper part Oh
smItb,s house was the first witness. lie testihed II
was awakened the morning of the murder by bearing
noise and name called. I went down to the upper
fight OF stairs and the lower one Mrs smith was
standing She said she wanted me down STAIRS sue "a
elaimed He is killed-he is kllled-a man ana IL! ~
was us before daylight We went down stairs together
he'd Law the body Of the pOlicenan-the body
covered by quilt and the head by pillow
Mrs Smith said that the man had put something sweet
10 her face which stupeed her. and when she awoke inc
body of her husband lying cold by her side theh
called my mother down and went out TO search Ior
= noIoeman and a doctor. l returned with a doctor,
and met a lamu-lighter whom sent for policeman
policeman arrived after l got back Wheh
the doctor arrived, he made an examination
OF the body, and pronounced the man uea',
The notice made an examination OF the premises auu
among other things discovered small bottle that the
doctor said contained chlOrofOrm The doctor also said
no smelled choroform when he There was also
a towel found with marks Of blood on it. Mr.. smith
owned small terrier; it was very watehful animal
Mira smith stated that it usually slept on the foot OF the
bed but Mr. Smith objected that night on account OF
the vern and the dog slept on the sofa in the ront
rOOm."
To Coroner Roman, MacGregor said "When Mrs'
Smith called me- she was somewhat excited; still she
seemed TO have presence of mind. When came down
stairs with Mrs Smith, the Guilt and pillow covered
Mr. Smith. Mrs. Smith somewhat excited In the
ROOM but not more so than when she came upstairs
The dog generally made noise when stranger came
S aToSps but 10 not rsDoO'f '""' H''" ''' D'
Coroner Crane made long and exhaustive examina-
that given above When the doctor arrived, Mr. Mac
Gregor said, Mrs Smith was in the parlOr with the
witness's mother. "she did not seem stupid" he
testified, "and did not act 80 eXclted az thhk nosI
when came back. Smith was laying on
his right side, with his arm extended out Inc
doctor took the pillow off first and then turned d0wnth the
Quilt Noticed the wounds on the head when The pll-
low was taken or aud then when the quilt was turned
down 1 noticed the wounds on the breast. 40 not
remember what Mrs. Smith did at this time. did not
hear her make any noise, say anything -
10 Assistant Prosecutor Taylor, McGregor said Ny
self, wife and baby, and my mother and MI ana MIS-
smith were all that know who were in the house that
night. 1 was not home during that evening until
about 10 O'Clock. / remained up talking with
my wife and mother about an hour in my Kitchen when
ls the rear ROOM second story over the room where
Smith slept l did not hear any noise or talk down
sfairs during the evening was on good terms with
the Smith family. could not identity the sash-weght
and knife shown me at police headquarters The Smiths
lived happily so far as know On one occasion heard
cross words pass between them; otherwise they were
apparently one of the happiest couples ever saw.
did not notice anything unusual about the furniture IN
the rooms that night When the dog first there he
wonld ALWAYS make great noise when came In, but
when got acquainted with hun he was quiet Ia the
evening OF tue Sunday previous to the murder, while
were sittiug in the yard, noticed man, about
O'Clock como the fence bali way between TIE house
and the rear OF the lot 40 not know Covert D. Bell
petit" ~,
ncsday next, at p. no.