The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-23
THE BLISSVILLE MURDER.
OFFICIAL INVESTIGATION OF GEORGE REIN
HARDT's DEArH-DAMAGING TESTIMONY

OFFICIAL INVESTIGATION OF GEORGE REIN
HARDT's DEATH-DAMAGING TESTIMONY
AGAINST scHMITTLER.
Coroner Davren. of Hunters Point Long Island
City. has begun formal investigation in the matter
Of the mysterious death of George Reinhardt, of
Bssville. L. I. The Coroner has taken the evidence
Of nearly all the parties who. it is believed, have
any connection with tho matter. Mary Schmittler,
sister Of John Schmitler. who is in Jail accused Of
numbering Reinhardt. has signed affidavit recit-
ing what she knows Of the subject. Mary lives in
this city with her mother. She says that the de-
ceased and her brother arrived the house shortly
after noon on Wednesday last. They had evidently
been drinking lttlo although not enough to create
any alarm to their ability to get back to Bliss
vile that night Her brother. John. had brought
with him load OF fat. which. after dinner, he and
Reinhardt. in company with her mother. went ont
to sell. Her mother left the two after the bar
gain had been concluded. and they went on their
way home. The witness deposed that both sc1imitt-
ler and Renhardt intended to 60 the Thirty
fourth ferry On the following day brother
again came over, but lteinhardt not with him.
Some surprise was expressed ut this by both the
witness and her mother. and excuse Schmitt-
Ter said that Reinharlt sick in bed. and un-
able to come out. No further reference made to
the subject, except that John. her brother. ex-
planned that on Wednesday night after arriving in
Blissvlle, George must have fallen from his wagon D.,
as he tschmittier) atterward found him lying in
the shop stable with his face and head all covered
with blood. In answer 20 questions Of Coroner
Davren. the witness further testified that her
brother John had violent temper and very
easily annoyed. subsequently the Coroner took tho
testimony OF John Nestler, into whose house Rein
hardt was carried by schinittier and also OF bar
Smith. Nestler says that the two men boarded
ut his house. and that. far rs he knew. they had
been very friendly toward each other. On Wednesday
night he was awakened by repeated calls in the
street He arose and opened the door OF the house.
schmttler and Peter were holding the almost lifeless
body Of George Reinhardt between them He was
carried up stairs and laid down on the floor, while
Schmittler went to bed The LITTER said that moth
ing was the matter with Rcinhardt except that he
was drunk. In the morning Schmitt!er, at the re-
quest of Witness sought to rouse kenhardt. but he
was unable 10 Dress and so informed the Opponent
Schmttler afterward left the house. did also wit
On returning at night was found that George
was dead. Nothing whatever had been done to re-
eve his sufferings, and doctor had not been sum-
moned. Neslcr in his testimony says that Schmitt-
Ter several times said that Reinhardt might "go to
help' for all he would do for him.
Peter Smith, the bartender ut Garry's saloon in
Bissville, where the two men drank just before
Reinhardt received his injuries that Schmilcr
admitted to him that he had an alteration with the
deceased alter leaving the place. Smith says that
Schmttler confessed to having hit Reinhardt the
head with stick or club OF some kind. The bar
tender also states that when hc found the two men
they the basement of the rat factory owned
by the Schmittlers. He helped 70 carry George to
Neslers house and lett him there. Coroner Davrcn
regards the testimony OF Smith rs being the most
important in the case. The man was released under
Tst r;nht sone aidtionai atfdav,ts were take, in
the by the Coroner. Tho most important
showing the previous character Of Schmittler. is
that OF Johu Wilhelm, residing in this city. He
that very well acquainted with the deceased.
He had known him for about four years before his
DEATH Reinh ardt used to drink very heavily but so
far rs the witness knew he not of quarrelsome
disposition when drunk. The prisoner, on the con-
trsry. very easily annoyed. and very often got
into difficulties with his acquaintance. As in
stance Of this Mr.. Wilhelm deposed that Schmttler
once got into wrangle with Joseph Mickey. in the