The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-07-13
SANE AND FIR. e.

SEQUEL TO THE wEsrMINsrrR HOTEL
rRAGEDY-noMAlNE DILLON RESTORED TO
LiBERTY
On the last day OF 1875 strange tragedy took place
in the westninstsr HOTEL corner OF Sixteenth street
and Irving place. II was without a motive, and,
therefore, excited uausua amount OF specuiat ION
and comment AZ The hotel were two guests.Ro.
maine Dillon, gentleman apparently Of leisure and
means, and John r. Diiliber, merchant doing busi-
ness IN Beaver street. They had frequently met az
strangers, but there not the slightest acqoaint
ance between them, and nobody In the hotel dreamed
Of the existence OF any dnicuty which could lead
10 become the assassin oil the other. Mr.. Dillon was
known to DO eccentric, but was not Supposed that
voked murder.
On the evening in question, however, Mr.
DIllibcr pacing tho lower hall OF the hotel, when
Mr.. Dillon came from his room and ordered him TO
loave lie naturally resented the interference, said
he guest oil the hotel and that no had ms much
right 10 DO there his challenger Upon this Mr..
Dillon pulled out pistol and shot him, and then,
turning about In cool manner. walked 10 his room.
Tho bali entered Mr. Dilliber's sidc, Tour inches
below tho left nipple, and, travcrspg q considerable
portion OF his oody, finally lodged IN the pelvic
cavity. The nervous shock great that Mr..
Diiliber died during The forenoon oil the following
day. In his nte-mortsm statement he SAID thai he
had no acquaintance with his slayer, but had
seea eim IN The hotel In tho meantime Mr.
been held ny Coroner Eickhon. a verdict
was rendered to the effect that Mr.. Dliber to
his doaln from pistol wound inflicted w Romano
Dillon.
INSANITY PLEADED.
About this time u SAID That Mr.. Dillon was OF
unsound mind, but the Coroner The jury that
they had nothing 10 do with that matter, they
did not pronounce on the question. That ISSUE
subsequently raised on February %, 1876 when Mr.
Dillon srraigned IN the court oil oyer and Ter
miner and when the adavits OF thu &c medical doc.
were presented sstng iern that he was insane.
Upon this state oil things . commission In lunacy
was appointed by Judge Barrett TO examine INTO
tho aud reprl 70 the Court. he COM
missioucrs wcrc Drs II. Kitchen, John Y. Gray
anu Austin Flint, and these gentlemen In May,
Mr. Dillon was insane. Upon this report Judge Bar.
relt orGcrcd his tnicnt 10 the state Lunatic
Asylum at Utica. The comInnm ent provided. now
over that he shouid only be bela there until restored
rir hi mInd, ana mat then ne should be lodged
IN The City Prison pending the resumption OF criminal
until otherwise discharged In accord
ance with the process OF law. The made
IN ms case application Tor his transfer
from the state Lunatc Asylum 10 she State Homs0.
opathic Asylum Tor tho lnsanc, at MiddIctown,
Orange coan,y N Y. Judge Donohuc, TO wnon tho
application was made. granted tue necessary order
OF transfer. II appears thst SIR. Dillon also at
one time au inmate vi the Auburn Insane Asylum
but at all events the brought up once more
by an application Tor his absolute discharge Tins
application was made 10 Judge J. q. Dykman, oi
Westcnestsr county, ana WAS supported by medical
certificates to tho eiiecl that Mr. Diou had
his sanity.
PKgs oxcE Monn
Judge Dykman held q special term OF the Supreme
Court at White Plains ON thursday, and Mr. Dilou
was brought before him. Dr. yonu L. Cray, medical
supernt endsnt of the state Luoalc Asylum a. Utica,
sno Dr. Seldom II. Sacott, medical superntsndehs Of
the asylum at Middietown, were examined, snd botn
testified 10 Mr.. Duions restoration To sanity Juege
Dykman upon this testimony. discharged nam from
custody aud ordered aIi criminal proceedings IN The
matter stayed.