The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-08-10

The Coroncr's inquest in the case Of the
murdered police officer was begun in the
Hudson County Court House last even
Ing Neither Mrs. Smith nor Cove Bennett
was present but the latter was represented 10y
his counsel. Mr.. Fleming. Some time was
lost waiting for the jury. but finally
at 8 o'clock Coroner Rouan took his sent
on the bench. accompanied by Coroner
Crane Of IIohoken who consulted with him dur
ing the examination. A large audience was in
attendance. completely filling the room. The
first witness examined was James McGregor Of
1870 Pacific avenue, who lived previously at
1873 Newark nvenae. He testified that he
was 10y occupation needle straightrner
and had known the murdered man since
April. l'e was awakened on ine morning
Of the murder by hearing his'name called he
was asleep in the top story. where he lived. in
the same house with Smith He dressed MS
quickly IA he could, went down the upper flight
Of stairs. and near tho lower flight saw Mrs
Smlth standing; She said she wanted him
He's Killed. He is killedl A man did IT,"
THIS was Just before daylight. lie wont down
stairs in. company with Mrs. Smith: went
through the parlor and the middle room H. the
bedroom. and there on the bed lay the body COW
cred with quilt. the head was covered with
Mrs. Smith said man put something sweet
to her nose which siupeiied her. and when she
mother down and went out 70 search for
policeman and physician. When the phys-
body and pronounced the man dead. The
police made an examination of the premises
and discovered n small bottle which was said 10
contain chlVroiOrm.
Mr.. Fleming-Who said so?
MIR. McGregor-,rhe doctor, and he also smclt
chloroiorm when he came in.
:. There was also towel found with blood upon
Mrs. Smith" the witness added. had n
small terrier dog, worry wonderful animal and
Mrs Smith told me that ii usually slept at the
foot Of the bed. but that night Harry (hsr hus-
bandl hAd objected on account Of the iicas 50
that the dog slept on the sofa in the front room"
was excited and Mr.. McGregor said She was was
presence OF mind. When he went into the
room the Quilt was IN TO the neck OF tho body
and the pillow covered his head.
:, Could you see none OF his head?'
lie Hrst saw blood on tho under side Of the
pillow and ON the closet door. Tho doctor took
the PILLOW from his face.
Did Mrs. Smith seem any more excited in
the room than up stairs p
mo, sir; she was somewhat excited"
Mr. McGrogor further said that he did not OK
anime the towel to see see whether there were my
and no stranger could come near the house
without his barking. lie had seen tho sash
weight on the gate some six or eight months
been in the habit of going in the cellar but
very little. Mover noticed any knife around or
any hatchet since tho family lived there pre-
Vious to the Smiths. When he went down
stairs with Mrs. Smith the doors were all open
that he saw but he could not say whether Tho
door leading from the kitchen into the back
room was open, or whether the closet under the
stairs was closed
Tie witness continued.
In the bedroom there was lamp ON tho dressing
Al the right entering the room II was turned down,
bat fnu could Distinguish any lining jon The room Mmc
walking down stair, Mrs Smith kept repeating A
man DID II, man did it As thu, entered the room
MIS- smith lett my side, passed the loot of
the hodseai made l stop nj the foot of the hcdsicai
AMI then went into the ktrhrn II while she stood
There ~ that tme TINT She told about the man giving her
slu NiuR tlnt smc sweet. and about the dog do not
remember her saving mat she saw the man. or that She
dscoN trrd lim, 81 knew where he was
Ih" body Of Mr. smith was M the side Of the bed and
there Wa rooM fog another nj his side The lamp wAs
not turned ~ further There was sufficient light Ia scc
Her remarks about the ohluroiorm made without
my ASKING any question The dog was lisking about and
CANE mp and smclt my foot
Was there Anytng strange about her conduct as Il
she had been drughedp
should not say there In my Judgment she was
nothing extra excited not excited AS most women
would be under similar circumstances Mr. Smith
was lying on his right side. his right arm
cxiendcd out Of the bed up To the elbow his lett
thrown back. do not remember hearing Mrs. Smith |
say or DO any ming TO indicate hysterA Tho quilt
turned down 10 the foot Of the bed bat his feet were
posed pat my hand on his foot and IL colder than
IN! hand That was after came back with the doctor
lMW MA smith that evening al the parlVT window ~