New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-17
1NoUEsTs IN TWO MURDERS.
scFNEs IN SMITHS DEATH cHAMBER.

SCENES IN SMITHS DEATH CHAMBER.
SIX WITNESSES GIVE THEIR IMPRESSIONS OF THE
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF SMITHS CAPTAIN.
The inquest ON Policeman Smith, of Jersey
City was continued yesterday aud attracted about ae
many persons the second day. Coroner Crane did
his seat by Coroner Rouan but present In
the room. Ex-Alderman John Smith. brother OF the
murdered man. also present The inquest lasted till
late night with an intermisson OF hour IL will
be resumed at 10 to-day and Coroner Rouan hopes
to finish 1t tonight The examination was opened by
Acting Taylor and he and the Coroner shared
In the examination OF Witnesses
Dr. r. H. Case testified that he went to officer Smiths
house at 430 a. m. Thursday, at the request Of Mr.
McGregor, aud found Smith dead. His body was not
cold although he had been dead hour His body was
covered with quilt and his face with a pillow,
saturated with blood. The witnesses description OF tho
wounds on the head and body agreed with previous
accounts smelled chloroiorm in the room. IL was
strong enough TO attract my attention. The police
found a bottle with chlorOform 10 H.
found an article that had been saturated with It.
While the police were examining the body Mrs. Smith
came into the room. Her manner was little excited
but nothing indicated that she had beena subject TO chic
reform. There were bed-clOihes on the parlor sofa
rolled up. There we're no wOmans clothes In the bed
room, aud saw no mans clothing eithe-."
Theodore s0loman. lamp extngulsher testified that
be Mr.. MeGregor running for doctor about a. M
Officer John F. Banfeld OF No. 5s3 COmmunlpaw-ave,
testified that he was called by soloman and told OF the
murder and with Officer DOugherty went TO the house.
The witness then related his conversation with Mrs
tinued: II found marks on the cellar steps after the
other officer arrived; found face towel with blood
marks on Il near the head Of the bed. saw no blood
marks on Mrs Smiths clothes, her side Of the
bed She seemed calm, and readily answered questions.
Just before was called by the lampighter saw man
pass my post dressed a sack coat Derby hat, with
white handkerchief about his neck. do not know
Al the evening session Captain Lennon OF the Fourth
Precinct testified to finding Smiths body so warm that
he looked for pulse His right knee bent though
in the act OF spnnRing out OF bed. His arm
and leg were quite flexible Mrs smith picked
had a Lubins extract label on 1t, and was un-
cOrked. There smell OF ehlOrOorm in the room.
On three Of the stairs in the celer closet found wet
footprints. MeGregor said the front door had been
oans az h ntb Ta mo- o
In the room. Smith asked Inc In February 60
sSE Blood S spots We're found around the bed
and leading to the kitchen door Tney were distinct
few drops Of blood the short night gown Tho
clothing sealed and kept ut the station house The
particles found under the handle he pronounced TO be
blood This knife corresponded with the FORK the
very keen. 1t twOedged, the point curved and
doubled as it by striking against hard substance:
but DR.. Converse said 1t would be dangerous.
Officer McHorney corroborated the testimony Of tho
trouble at home, and wanted me 10 ask the captain 10
cnanEe him 70 day duty told the captain Il was be.
tmis who murdered her husband. and asked about
Smiths enemies. She said be had great many enemies
around Lafayette, to whom be owed money
She gave the name and address OF all OF her bOarers
except Mr.. Benefits. She said she didn't know where
he could be found and asked why harped him. She
said he had been great friend to the family, and with
Ssd he cou3 nor have done ne deed ss he was nere
| boy" There had been some words between her and
food for Bennett. Smith had often called Bennett
down to attend to her when she had fits She had met
| Bennett outside Places were mentioned She rald
there love between her aud Smith fol- the last
five years He had only given her one Rr OK shoes and
81 TO buy dress in the last three yedls. Mrs. Smith
talked frePlV about husband aud Ills glr' Smith
Oked with her on the Wednesday night about his girl
Aeraam u Ssrnan, Mrs tsstn a
six years They lived in Benefits house IN lafayette
for some time He did carpenter T3rk there alter
large aud he took IL to Smiths house. Bennett had
threatened 90 to the station house and break ["
| Smith, for entering house while on duty
Captain Lennon, recalled, testified that picture OF
trunk An agreement by smith to paint Bounetps house
In return for rent, was also there diary mentioned
nett Chief Nathan was called to identity the writing
by comparison with letter recently sent by Bennett 70
AT lIp M the inquest was adjourned until p. m to-
day, when Professor DOremus Is expected to be wit
Although her health was improved since her imprs-
Onment, Mrs. Smith, yesterday, was much depressed,
aud for The hIs time s seemed uo utterly cast Sss
| door in the morning, hearing her sobbing VIC.
ased oil sns %@teS & ooed S ap ssr
face wet with tears, and said; mo- not this time"
About noon MRS Carmap. Mrs: Smiths mother, nGlsly
ordered not to come there by her daughter, che
told 10 get authority from Chief Nathan The Chief,
/ however, learning that she was under the nnu-
| ence OF liquor. gave orders to have her ar
| rested IL she appeared again intoxicated, and the
officer on guard at Mrs Smiths door ordered not to
| admit the woman under any circumstances. Judge
Davis said yestesday that Covert Bennett would not be
released oven should the eOroners jury exOnete him,
until the police completed the preliminary examination,
which would be continued as though no inquest had
been held II sufficient grounds for his detention
not there sgown, he would be released Mr. Fleming,
counsel for Bennett, said yesterday that II bis client was
the authority the Coroner, he
apply OF the Supreme Court Judges for writ Of
| hAbeas corpus.