New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-15
TWO MYSTERIOUS MURDERS.
INQUEST ON POLICEMAN SMITH.

INQUEST ON POLICEMAN SMITH.
NO MATERIAL EVIDENCE GAIHED-MRs. sUsAENAH
MGREGoR AND DR. CONVERSE, THE WITNESSES
The inquest on Richard II. Smith, the muir
dered Jersey City policeman, was resumed yesterday NJ
the Hudson County Court House. The attendance was
small Mrs. MoGregor and Dr. Converse were the only
witnesses examined. At the opening, f. b. Wakeman'
counsel for Mrs Smith, objected 20 Coroner Crane 6aV-
ing equal power 10 examine with Coroner Roman. Coro
ner Crane did not yield his place. Sharp discussion
ensued later when he attempted TO ask questions
Mrs susannah McGregor, Of No. $50 Paciho-aye for
mery an occupant Mr.. Smiths house, at No. l33 III
the same street testified: {" Mr.. Smith on We'd
nesday evening about dusk. After some conversation
Mrs Smith called him. I then went up STAIRS ana
heard Mr.. Smith go out between and 10 O'CLOCK
l heard him return about IL O'Clock. recognized nm
by his voice heard no noise in his room About day
break was aroused by Mrs. Smiths screaming she
said several times: Il want Mr. McGregor' My son
went down and heard her say something about man.
went down. put my arms around her and asked what
was the matter. She in the front parlor she salu
Look where Harry lies murdered IN his bedP SAID
He il not dead aud she said Yes he Is dead She
said he had the night before. at IL o'clock ana
she had sewed half hour and had then gone TO
bed They were both restless, and at LAS he said
Jennie what makes you so restless ana
told her to 90 sleep She did so, ana was
afterward awakened by something placed over her ace'
She opened eyes, but had power to move she et
like one In a ream. She man with white coth
over his head and face with something in his hand that
resembled an axe She him strike Harry over the
head and distinctly heard the thud. He struck him
second time and she heard no She was awakened
by feeling heavy, cold pressure on Der side, and put
ting ner hand down felt husbands elbO saweh was
cold Then she had up stairs saw MIRA smith
again In the middle Of the day she was dressed III
nightgowu. / made her put on some clothes. 80
{" Later" continued the witness Mrs. smith had
h stayed with her after that Tor the most ol INC e
Ismet ether when l entered Mrs. SMITHS room Lhe
odor very strong 10 smelt very mdcH a., AG MI
smith continually crying while talking VIII me.
s1e did not seem excited During the Gay atsr we
murder frequently SAID that her husband was pretty
good and sne did not know that ne had an enemy.
knew them TO quarrel, but was seldom AT boe
bad seen Mrs Smith three or four times wnen sue nau
hs the murder. cannot say whether they were
brought on by not she WAS not DANGER
ous at those Dimes The symptoms Wednesday morning
did not differ from those Of other aI5aeEs .+teaa 4,
regard to the post mortem examination OF SINFUL
body the substance OF which mas already Deen gwen
He believed that Smith struck while sitting up III
bed and that the knife wounds we're mace WIN t"O-
edged blade, or KIN 10 with rounded point 3D..
AT $50 y. the inquest was adjourned 10 FRIDAY
- az pmoTcd Yesterday that proceedings to secure
the release OF Covert ID. Bennett, writ OF habeas
corpus. 10 be taken AT once, and the argument
would be made yesterday before Justice OF the
supreme Court Mr. Fleming and SIR. Wakeman, coun-
Hel for both Bennett and Mrs Smith, stated yesterday
that no sush proceedings had been taken. Whether
they would DC taken question OF the future
SHOULD the inquest drag along unnecessarily, any
Judge OF the supreme Court bad power TO take the
matter ont OF the COrUners hands Is an outrage
said Mr. Wakcman g the way THIS Inquest Is conducted
But perhaps it Will be well Tor the present 10 Leu tntm
puttrr along with IT," He would noe tax OF MS future
plans IN regard Airs. smith. He MAD advised her not
at the Jersey CITY Police Headquarters.
LITTLE LIGHT on McGRAILS MURDER
A BLooD-srAEED COAT FOUND Al BELLS HOUSE
SECURING THE COUNTRY FOR THE MURDERERs
WAGON.
John Bell and his nephew, Robert Irwin,
nv Eusp
being the murderers Bartholomew McGrau, OF Pater-
SON were closely confined in the city jan yesterday
They are kept cells and no one Is allowed 10
converse vita tnem Irwin claims that he was with Nc
Grail early Sunday evening but parted with him at hain
and Green-sts, at 8 o'clock. Both men have acted
with great scltpossession since their arrest
Yesterday the Chief Of Police and several
officers we're engaged in Investigating several clS~s
Bells house in Paterson searched by the Chiof
OF Police Tuesday evening He demanded the clothihs
worn by Bell Sunday. The trousers were stained win
what appeared to be spots blood The coat aud waist
coat were slightly stained but the spots appeared
as though partially removed Tue garments were taken
TO the station house, and yesterday were brought to this
city and taken TO Professor DOrennus for analysis
shortly after O'Clock on the night Of the murder IT.
win called nc Bells house straighst and asked Tor
him. Bell was not at home, but Irwin waited for him
nearly an hour 1t is not known what time Bell re-
turned home MoGrail told irwin Sunday that II Bell
continued 10 indulge In liquor he would be discharged
from the mill believed that irwin repeated the re-
marx TO Bell and that the two got McGrai intoxicated
and in trying compel him to make reraetion OF the
language that they killed him.
The police have searched for the carriage and
horse supposed to have been used In conveying Nc
Crabs body 20 Passaic Bridge but thus far they have
been unsuccessful william Prentice, an old resident Of
Passaic City, stated yesterday that he saw box wagon
drawn by bay hOrre pass down the main street OF that
place about $3.50 y. Sunday. Three men were on the
seat the middle appeared 10 be perfectly helpless,
and the Others seemed be holding him IN the seat
Ills head hung down though no was grossly intOx-
icated. -
A careful search was made between Patterson and
Pagsaic Bridge yesterday FOR the hat worn by MeGral
the flight Of the murder but Il not found Constable
Taylor, who was engaged IN the search found small
niece OF rag, evidently from the lining
OF a coat Just OF Paterson. IL was stained with
dark spots supposed To Oe blood IL was gwen TO Cor
oner Myers, who has charge OF the inquest
The funeral OF McGrRIl held yesterday IN ST. J0-
sephs Roman Catholic Church In Paterson. The build
ing was crowded and hundreds unable 70 gain adj
mttance Tho members Of VIyilant Steam Fire Engine
Company attended the funeral in body. Six or the
members acted pail bearers. Persons representing
themselves committee appointed by the company 10
collect money TO pay tho funeral expenses obtained
some money, but denounced ~ swndiers ny the
fremen Will pay the funeral expenses out OF the
cOmpany's treasury.
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