New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-06-28
HOW THE HOMICIDE OCCURRED.

HOW THE HOMICIDE OCCURRED.
ARMSTRONG; INsoLENT REPLIEs-MR. BLIRs
ANGER-THE SCENE IN THE sTABLE-THE ANTE
MoRTEM STATEMENT.
Joseph A. Blair, paying teller of the Me-
chanics National Bank at No. 33 WalIst, arrived at
his home on the Orange road three-quarters OF mile
from Montclair, at 3 O'Clock on Thursday even
ing. In bis employ Irtshman named
John Armstrong, who served I'm the capacity
Of cOachman and gardener. Mr.. Blair had
been informed that Armstrong on the previous day
had driven pair of his horses to the village without
ORDERS and while there had treated them cruelty Soon
after arriving his house he went TO the stable 10 in
qure Of the man the matter Armstrong had been
drinking the previous day, and s surly from the
effects OF the liquor When Mr. Blair questioned him. I'M
civil abusive were returned The loud ana
nsolent language OF Armstrong was heard by Mrs
Blair and a young lady who were lying in hammocks at
the corner the house. few rods from the stable Mr.
Blair told the that he could not permit swearing on
his premises and Armstrong continued his vile Ian
guage he was told that his services would no longer
be needed, aud that he might leave the place
at once. This he refused TO do, although his
wages for the three weeks he had worked
were offered him and he supported his re fusa to 90
away by saying that he would shoot the top of the
head OFF Of any one who tried make min CO." lie de-
manded his full months wages.
Mr.. Blair then directed Armstrong to harness the
horse, saying that when 1t ready he would 90 70
the village and get Justice Pillsbury to come up and
settle the matter Of wages. Mr.. Blair then
went 10 the house. and without saying anything to his
wife, went up stairs and took his revolver What fol-
lowed after Mr. Bairs return the house, is known in
detail only by himself.
The ladies had gone into the house. and man named
Edward Roselot, another employee, who saw the first
trouble between Armstrong and his master had by this
time left the barn. further loud and angry talk
ing was heard by the inmates Of the house, and
then two pistol shots followed. Mr.. Blair returned
to the house brin gng two pistols with him, and
claimed entering, As God Is my witness, shot tine
man. but did II in sefdefence" Armstrong appeared
nj the stable door about tme but then sank TO
the ground Word sent directly 10 tho four physi-
clans OF the town. lady from the house to Arm
strong and administered some brandy. He was then In
an almost unconscious condition.
Drs Berry Butler and Pinkham soon arrived, and the
suffering man was laid upon the grass His condition
was found to be serious Two Duuetwounds were
found in the back and the other in the Left side On
probing the wounds, the bullets not found Arm
strong was then placed mattress and removed to
his room in the loft the barn. He visited there
at his request by Mr. Blair and other members of the
family He said he forgave Mr. Blair for shooting him.
Later in the evening he removed to st. MichaePs
Hospital at Newark.
WHAT OCCURRED AFTER THE SHOOTING.
Meanwhile the Of the shooting had spread TO the
IN the handsome grounds and about the residence They
we're very outspOken In their denuncstion Of Mr. Blair
Word had been sent TO Justice n. o. Plsbury, who
rived within half on hour after the trouble with Dr.
Love. This physician further examined Armstrong but
fai ed to find the bullets Mr. Blair at delivered
himself up to the Justice, saying that he had shot
Armstrong twice. but did 1t in setdefence. He gave
the pistols the Justice. The hch had been in
the possession of Armstrong found to contain five
loaded chambers. Tho crowd soon became very demon
stratye and cries OF Bring him out we're frequent
Violence feared for a time but w-on the Justice
explained that he would become responsible
for the safe-keeplng OF Mr. Blair, the crowd
grew quiet, and dispersed on the arrival
OF Constable J. c. Doremus, and Special Con-
stable ]. H. Doremus who took charge OF Mr. Blair and
guarded him at his residence. Mr. Blair passed rest
less night and expressed much regret at the occur
renee but said he considered himself justified in what
he had done.
At IL a. IN. on Friday ne was taken before Justice
Plsbury. The little Office in FuertOn-st was filled to
OVERLOOKING ut this time, and there large
gathering Of working men In the street
An intense feeling against Blair evinced
The Justice stated that as Mr.. Blair had given
himself up and had confessed to shooting no exam
ination would be held. Arguments were then made by
william H. ArnOux, Of New-York, who was retained as
counsel by Mr.. Blair, and w. X. Weeks OF Newark 10
show that bail might be received instead Of committing
the prisoner to Jail W. H. TORY and ID. T. Warren, OF
Montclar, offered become sureties for 100000,
but the necessity OF commitments was urged by
Counsellor Abner Kalisch. OF Newark, who appeared
for the state and the Justice refused bail, and COM
mitted Blair to await the action OF the Grand Jury
which meets in September. open expressions OF ap-
prevail at this decision made, but reOuked by
the Justice In the afternoon Mr. Blair taken 20
Newark by the constabes, and lodged In the County
Jail
A statement made by Armstrong, when he supposed
himself dying, taken by Justice Pisbury. II was
as follows: " I thrty-twO three years old was
born in Dublin, Ireland have been in the employ Of
joseph Blair as coqchman aud gardener about O'Clock
on June 49, Mr.. Blair came home and took the horse
from the front door ana put MN ID the stable IN ABOUT
bedding horses he asked me why beat the horses
down town he was '9d Una, GpRse ana
the buggy all sorts OF harsh words passed US
he e mt no her 9Su5 When ne ud Ged
the pistol, and asked for the keys OF the stable
twice he tnen went down stairs, and follow ed him
and laid down outside the barn he then went upstairs
The man at this point became too weak to proceed.
This statement was not sworn TO at the time Between
agony. He made ante-mortem statement at IL
O'Clock in the morning which was taken BY County Ply
Hulett II contained nothing different from that
made to Justice Pi,lsbury.
Mr.. BLAIR's STATEMENT.
Mr. Blair declined. through the advice OF his counsel,
10 make any statements of the affair Mr.. Arnoux, at
the Blair residence gave the facts OF the shooting re-
lated 10 him by Mr.. Blair.
He said that Mr. Blair went out b the stable In the
first place aud spoke pleasantly TO Armstrong. when
the scene already described occurred After Mr.. Blair
secured his he returned the stable and found
that Armstrong had harnessed the horse as he had
directed After trying to induce the man TO proceed
with the work OF Harvesting the animal without sue
cess Mr, Blair demanded the keys 10 the
stable; Armstrong replied Yes III get you pi tae
followed him At the top OF the flight, as Armstrong
was about entering his ROOM Mr. Blair took hold OF hs
arm and tried TO pull him away but the man pulling
the bunch of keys from his pocket unlocked the door
Al this point Mr. Blair drew his revolver nom his pocket