The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-06-28
SHOOTING HIS C0ACHMAN.
A TRtGEDT THIr ms TERY GREA Y
ENCITED MONTtLIIR TILLIGE.


Paving Teller Joseph 4. nIair Of the Mechnn.
ic.' National hank In Wall street Olives
Himself Ip-Contradictory Version. OF the
shooting I.ynching Loudly Threatened
Rumored Disappearance OF the Prisoner.
Knots Of loud-talking villagers were In
every ounsug place in the quiet villnge of
M1ntclar. y. j.. yesterday morning, and re-
rarks ike lie ought to be lynched." and lie
ought not 20 have any moro favors than poor
man. were repeated by them frequently. They
wcre taking about tragedy that happened on
the night before. Mr.. Joseph A. Blair. who
rents pretty cottage on tho Orange road. had
shot John Armstrong. his coachman and gar
dcncr. in an alteration. Mr. Blair is paying
teller in the Mechanics National Bank. in Wall
street Three years ago he moved with his
young vlic and two little children from Brook
lyn 10 Montclair Lately he rented the cottage
that he now occupies. II is a few feet back of
the read and is surrounded by trees. Ham.
mocks swing laz.ly between two Of the trees
Da's Of the house and hidden by trees. is the
stable His c0achman having quit his employ
three weeks ago Mr.. Blair went to an employ
meut bureau In New York and engaged John
Armstrong. young lrishman. who had been
working on the piers since he arrived In this
country n short time ago. The coachman's
quarters are in tho loft OF the stable. A thin
partition separates the room from the hay NOW
Il is small but clean. tho walls being painted
and the ceiling plasicred narrow stairway
leads to a small landing in front Of tho door.
Armstrong made his bed on a light cot in one
coraei and ate his meals la the kitchen Of tho
house. A few shelves and a table held few
books and papers that Armstrong read in his
leisure hours. He worked in the garden. at.
tended 70 three horses. and when Mr. Blair was
ready 10 20 70 his bank Armstrong sometimes
took him 20 the depot. and. on the arrival OF an
evening train. returned TO the depot for Mr..
Blair II Mrs Blair or her visiting friends de-
sired to ride in tho daytime. Armstrong drove.
On Thursday evening Mr. Blair returned
from New York Mt about o'clock and Arm
strong led the horse from the front door to the
stable and put him In the stall. Mr. Blair and
his family took dinner at about o'clock. and
then Mr.. Blair went TO the stable. while his wife
and children and young lady visitor enjoyed
swinging in the hAmmocks. Mr.. Blair, It
seems. had heard that his coachman had drank
IN tarrJom on the previous evening" while he
was on his way home after taking Mr. Blair and
bis wife 10 the house Of Il friend. and had ILL
treated the horses. and Mr.. Blair went 10 the
stable TO question the coachman about II. Arm
strong WIS not in good humor and when Mr..
Blair spoke 10 him Armstrong denied that he
had taken liquor on Wednesday evening. but
admitted that he had drank before that. He
added:
Mon,cair must be a great place 1, n man
can Z gtt glass OF beer when he's dry without
eENTTyo9pdy making ta,k about it"
c9me ~ and Armstrong replied with an oath:
~ naSes no difference which way l came. as
Arms.ronGs manner aroused Mr.. Blair. and
harsh words were uttered. Armstrong; oaths
We're heard BY the ladies in the hammocks. and
they went into the house. Armstrong init
mated that II Mr.. Blair was not salts lied with
nm' ne would quit the place after being paid
AZ NJ Biair offered 70 pay him for the three weeks
thW ne had worked. but Armstrong wanted a
months pay Atterward that was returned.
snd Armstrong said: I'm blow the @
Mr Baa Rne suSessea Sno ief that to the get n
Yer be lett TO the decision Of Justice Pills.
bury. and he told Armstrong to harness a horse
10 the buggy. Mr., Blair went 10 his chamber
nnd took from a drawer a revolver and. put-
Ing II in his pocket, returned 10 the stable.
The horse was partly harnessed and Mr. Blair
toid the coachman 10 work quicker. Armstrong
grumoed. md paid little attention TO the order
4 Is said. Harsh words were used again nnd
Mr.. Blair demanded the keys OF the stabIe
ttward Roselot. a hired man. who heard the
atercation. went behind the barn. and soon az.
two reports OF a revolver.
The minute particulars Of the shooting are
dinerent IN the versions given by Mr. Blair and
ports were heard Armstrong fell through the
large doorway, OF the stable and Mr.. Blair
walked hurredy 10 the house. His first words
on entering were; AS sure as there's a heaven
above II had not shot that man he would have
killed me-" He was pale and nervous Hired
men and neighbors who had been attracted TO
the stable yard by the reports were sent TO call
ne four physiel4ns in the village and Justice
Iow. under his head Brandy was given to him.
unctiy. Drs. Pinkham and Butler were among
the hrst to arrive at Mr.. Blairs cottage.
They examined Armstrong. and found
a bullet having erazed tho lower end
OF the spine Ia entering the body. and the
other was on the right side under the shoulder
blade. Armstrong was placed on a mattress
and carried 10 his room In the stable loft. and
the physicians probed for the bu llets without
had gathered around the cottage. In the
ihrong were many laborers and hired men who
Mr.. Blair. IN his chamber. heard Bring him
out" Lynch him" Sting him up +" uttered
by excited persons in the throng. Catholic
priest entered the yard. but the throng re-.
mained. Justice Pilisbury on his way with Dr
Love 70 Mr.. Blairs cottage. met Drs PinEham
and Butler returning home and being told that |
iaster Going first 10 the room In the stable loft
ustiee Plsbury took Armstrong; ante-mor- |
strong said:
| am thrty-two or three years old was born |
70 Dup.ln. ireland; have been In the employ OF |
Joseph BAR rs coachman and gardener about |
o'clock on June 20 Mr.. Blair came home. and |
TOOK the horse from the front door and nut |
m In tho stable. In about half Rn hour Mr.
biair came 10 the stable where was bedding
horses; he asked me why / beat the horses
Gown town Yesterday He said he was told that
stopped and sent into a saloon and got glass
%. beer brt remained IN the buggy. All sorts
p hard words passed between US. Ho went 10
Ae house nni gOt a pistol. He asked me 10 |
ltch W the horse, which ala. He came and
.ilIed out the pistol. and asked me for the Keys
81 the stable. ] then went up stairs and he fol-
owed no ana shot me twice. He then went
town stairs and followed him and laid down |
outside tilo barn. Ha then went up stairs and
'pt an Oh =. .-tcl and took It iutO the house"
ArmStrorg's strength did not last long
'n1ugh Tor him 10 swear 10 the dcpOsiti0n
Leaving Armstrong with the priest and Dr.
.nN", Ju-tc" II, ,.-Oury enterel tho cottage and
poke - Mr.. Bair. "ltll ne necessary for
-Nirb1ly i1 nnfe a conn Wblaint." the Justice
u !, looking around. before car arrest YOU.
w. Hiur turning toward him. on there's
2, necessity Tor that,' Mr. Blair said quickly.
l IS4rr-Aler myself to you ~ n mag strate
va hr@t'wl"lge that ! shot him twice and
drthtrmpf' wat did it in self-defencc." Mr.
'RiF was iH.r ana dolected. and he seemed 10
'rl ms position kr"uly. Howls from the thrOug
'it7!de were heard ut intervals. Mr.. Blair
-krl 20 be allowed 10 remain in his cottage
'",i morning, aud Juitice Pillsbury told him
I"t ne could, bat cOustahlcs would guard him
ltbIlHE -h" threats outside. Justice Pillsbury
- ~ EaalLa.i J.!
lpp hupW Ine well enough 10 know that this |