The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-04-23
JOHN NoRToN's FATE.
THOMAS GoGGINs HELD ON A CHARGE OF
BEING ACCESSORY TO HIS DEATH-rHE AU-

THOMAS GoGGINs HELD ON CHARGE OF
BEING ACCESSORY TO HIS DEATH-THE AU-
ToPsY.
Thomas Goggins, a waiter in the Aibcmarc Hotel.
in the Jefferson Market Police Court yesterday to
answer q charge OF assaulting John $. Norton, tho
young man who Tor years was known 10 the public as
motor, dramatist aud eocutonist and who on Safur-
day night terminated his existence in tho cell OF tho
Twenty-ninih precinct station house. That Norton
had suffered ut the hands OF the prisoner, and some
what severely too, there could be little doubt from the
marks foundupon hts person, but that these injuries
sufficient to death there seemed grounds
TO doubt Al tho examination held yesterday morn
Ing effort made to Withdraw the vol OF privacy
from the last days OF tho dead actor but certain
cumstanocs OF bis fc necessarily obtruded themselves
during the course OF the police court inquiry. Nor
tons unhappy weakness for liquor was Tho cause OF
his being turned from the pursuit OF profession ho
seemed VOL fitted 10 excel IN. He was n frequent
attendant OF tho social reunions OF the Order
OF Elxs aud several OF his rcctations there
are very favorabIy remembered by those who heard
thom. OF late, however, his unfori unate procivi-
led him TO excuses which, II Is though. may
have FASTENED, II not caused, his deatn Outside OF
what Incidentally transpircd with regard 10 poor Nor
toas habits the Court confined It's inquiries 10 the cir
cumstanccs preceding his arrest and death.
NoRroy's AssALANT.
George r. Daniels Of No. LOG West Twenty ix,h
street, that SATURDAY afternoon, while stand
u
Of mon engaged IN struggle upon The sidewalk somo
doors away. Ono was Norton; tho other WINS
the anray ana saw Goggins strike tho other In tho
iacc several times and otherwise abuse him, Norton
did not return the blows. He seemed somewhat
stupcucd and without resisting called Tor help Tho
witness then officer appear. who separated
the men aud took them both into custody.
A colorcd man, Alexander Brown, who resides at
No. l3l West rwcntysixth street, also witnessed tho
difficulty. What brought tho men together in conflict
he unable to say. His attention, however, was
speedily called them by Norton crying out .Hclp!"
and "Aurderl' at tho top OF his vocc Goggins was
aloud. nc rushed upon him struck him upon tho
head and ieled him TO tho stoop The PROSTATE man
struggled TO creep away from tho blows which his As.
saiant still struck at him. lie caught mold OF the
ratings, strove to drag himself to his oet Dut sunk
again bcorc tae violence OF tho others attack. All
this time no kept calling Tor hclp but without draw
Ing assistance or Causing mis- assailant to rcicnL
Fully twelve blows were struck The witness sold, be-
fore the officer appeared Goggtns caught sight Of him
ana sprang Tor halfway, but was ovcrtaken aud ar
rested there.
c,nct, then told his experience. AT about hanpast
one O'Clock on saturday afternoon he said cries for
help reached him on the corner oil Sixth avenue and
Twonty-sixth street, which were followed w. CRY OF
"Murdcr'' uttered by woman. Presently he caught
sight OF GogIns attacking tho dcccoscd Al he came
about Tour blows delivered which brought
Norton 10 his knees As he Tell he caught hold Of tho
s,oop railing ana his ass,ilant turned 10 In tho
hallway OF No. 116 West Twenty-sxth street hc
stumbled ovcr mat, tell 10 tho floor ana was
captured. On the way to the station house
Guilty restrain Goggns from continuing his attack, as
once twice no struck at tho other their cap
tors shoulder. At Tho desk charge OF assault and
battery was preferred against the prisoner and OF
against the deceased, who also locked
up. AT this stage OF tho proceedings tho impossbity
carrying tho examination 70 end until tho Dop-
uty Coroncr's testimony would be ready was repro
scntcd to the Court. and adjournment was made Till
Will DO aDc 10 testify. According TO tho autopsy
made by this Official death caused by acute
form oil Brights disease.
The prise oggins yesterday Entrusted hrs case
TO Counsellor Charles Spencer, VINO will net tor him.