The New York herald., 1879-01-03
ACCIDENT OR MURDER7


JAMES PETgIEs' DEATH AT BELLEVUE HOSPITAL
AFTER A NIGHT IL A STATION HOUSE CELL.
Coroner Ellingor called upon last evening to
investigate the death OF who had lain for
three days at Bellevue Hospital in almost
unconscious condition. and whose injuries
OF nature to throw suspicion upon their
cause. James T. Petrie the OF the de-
ceased, and inquiry revealed that he was q
gentleman OF means highly connected
and OF considerable scholarly attainmcnts.
When brought 70 the hospital lie was rambling
in his speech and he gradually sank into comatose
state. in which he remained till he brcathed his last
When the Coroner made his investigation it appeared
that injuries the head had been the Of DEATH
and an autopsy seemed to show that Petre had died
OF compression of the brain, due to injuries
apparently inflicted by the blows of somes
blunt instrument. but whicn might also
hrye been caused by fall. The
former probability seemed feasible enough to
rant further inquiry into the circumstances
surrounding petrc's dccease, and when it
learned that the man had been found on
the street and locked up for night and taken to
court. the case became invested with new interest.
In connection with it the following facts
elected which may be yariousy interpreted -
Mr.. Perio resided at No. 151 East Thirticth street.
where he occupied with gentleman
named j. W. OBrien. On last Sunday night he
went to his apartments and having lit the
gas went ont, seemingly with the intention
OF soon returning. He failed to appear however.
and the inmates OF tho house, fnding the
ss s sun aaues gho @ea ne
immediately rewarded. Meantime the missing man
was the subject of the attentions of the twenty
past one O'Clock on Monday morning officer Col
grove. discovered man lying his back
He aroused him and brought him as far
as the, corner OF Third avenue where
The roundsman noticed nothing peculiar in his
appearance or anything to indicate that he suf-
ferng from severe injuries. He made no resist
ance either, beyond protesting aganst the arrest.
| When Lawlor took him in charge it appears he had
to get the assistance OF another dcer Gum by name
| to bring him to the station house. Sergeant
| Hawthorne was at the desk when thev led
the in. and he elected that hi name was Petre
botter. On being searched 81 was found upon the
prisoners person. and couple OF knives, which
| turned over to the sergeant
WHY No EXAMINATION MADE
. Then he was. was locked up II the ne man really
| nothing learned? No examination of him
| was made no medical assistance invoked
Till six o'clock the following morning Petrie lay
| in his cell in state of stupor. Then when
his captor. Lawlor, came to arouse hira
there was show Of, utter prostration
not move and begged to be left where he
| was. Lawler fancied him still under the in
much in practice among the force of walking an in
ebrate up and down in the cool air Petrie
| was SO prOneniueu IN the StatlOQ mousse
| yard, and it would appear that he rallied
little. as he was able to go court at eight O'Clock.
He went with great unwillingness though and while
| in the yard heard telling the officer that he
| would not appear before magistrate under any
circumstances, and rather than go to court he would
lie down and remain so till he carried
there. He taken before the Bench OF tho
Fifty-seventh Street Police Court. however, and
enough WAS seen there to warrant the prison-
| er's transmission to Bellevue Hospital instead
Of to the lookup. and thither he was
| taken. Once there, all strength seemed
to leave him. and during the three days OF
| his sojourn he unable to furnish
rative OF how he had been hurt. On New
| Years Eve he sank rapidly, and expired
before night That all that could be ascertaned.
last evening about the of his prostration and
| what befel him after leaving home
MANS HISTORY. .
OF the man himself more is known. James L.
| Pctrie is the eldest of James Petrie, some
| years since welknown and reputable
| dry goods merchant of this city. The latter
| was descended from family Of good stand-
ing and very large means in the south of Scotland
| and formed some very favorable connections Prior
to his demise he associated James L. and another
with him in business. the frm becoming James Pc
| trc Sons.