New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-07-02
HOW THE SHOOTING OCCURRED.
ARMSTRoSG's INsOLENT REPLIES 10 MR. BLAIR
WHAT RossELOT OvERHEARD-MR. BLAlES CON-


to tho inquest Mr.. Blsirs counsel ana delegation OF
his friends fromhs city, besides several county officials
from Newark the place OF holding the meeting was
speedily filled to overfowmg. AS The inquest advanced
became densely packed with residents OF al
classes probably not less than five hundred persons
being present The platform was occupied at The be-
ginning OF the iuquest by Coroner Woodruff,
and deputy; Prosecutor OF the Pleas G. " Aoe,;
Colonel L. W. Davis. Chief Deputy sheriff; Constable
W. W. Akers. Judge Caleb :. Fizworth, W.
II. Arnoux, and W. Il. Weeks, counsel for Mr.
Blair Among tho spectators the follow
ing friends OF the accused: AbrJm BussinE, y.
NJ. Bgeow, J. c. Brantieam, j. X. Liyermore, j. \.
BrUdy, John Blair (unclo OF h' accused mani Eugene
Tolner, Geo Byrnes ana A. Wilson, OF New-Norbi the
Rev. Dr. Berry d. I. Warren aud W. A. Tarrey. OF
Moutclair Dr. Chas. A. Marvin, OF Brooklyn.
Mr. Blair did appear at the inquest. The Prose
cuor did require his presence, and IL Thought
best that he should appear The members OF the
Jury occupied chairs at the loft OF the PLATFORM
At the ro-cau by Constable AaDrs they answered to
their names follows William Jacobns, william Sig
ler f. L. Wright. James c. Crane L. ID. Han, C. c.
Corby john Layland, T. T. Gould, ana j. Il. KurcAner
Having viewed the body o. Armstrong on Saturday tho
fury was ready to listen to the testimony.
WHAT PETER ROssELOT SAW AND HEARD.
The first witness called Peter Rosseio man 81
all work. who had been IN MIR. Blars employ Tor Few
days time OF the shooiu gaud Who saw the greatest
part of ue trouble between his employer and Armstrong
,
and had been III Mr.. Bairs employ three
DAYS before Armstrong shot. The diff
Guilty between Mr.. Blair and John began about
hapast g. while the latter was bedding the horses.
Mr. Blair quietly asked John first which he had
driven after leaving MIN the previous night John re-
pied with oath It's none of your bushes. which
way came, Nj. Blair asked John which way he came
back aud John answered It's none of your d-m busi-
ness Mr. Blair questioned him concerning his drv
Ing I'm front Of beer and drinking glass Of beer
while I'm the carriage This made John very Violent
and he said TO Mr.. BLAIR. Il don't want any more Of
your foong. Pay me my money. and III leave MI
Blair offered him pay for three weeks. but he would not
take H. and demanded full months pay. Mr. Blair
fold him to get the horses ready and he would 60 to
the Village and ask Justice PIllsbuy to come
M and settle the matter of wages. john began 10 put
on the harness very slowly, and when Mr. Blair asked
him to be quicker he stopped altogether ana sad In
loud tone Get Of this barn, P blow your brains
out.
"sirs Blair then came ont 10 the barn and John said
70 her. are lady you wouldn't come 10 the barn.
To M Blair be said, you gentleman either,
or you would into the barn. Then lie repeated
the threat 90 blow Mr.. BaiT's brains out Mr.. Blair
next demanded the keys John did noe give them no.
Mr. Blair now went the house and got his revolver
and when ne returned to the barn, again demanded The
KEYS John cried TO IL with YOU and
your keys; you'll mot set the Keys He then
jumped the stairs Mr Blair said to bin, Don't 20
UPSTAIRS once twice. and afterward, john don't
omen the door, Then two shots were fired, and Mr..
Bair came down stairs with two pistols ana went to his
wife md showing her the pistols, SAID Here IS
the pisto with which John would have killed me II |
had not shot hun JoEn cms Go%h STAIRS "oc'! al'e'
Mr. Blair, and almost as qulckly." , - ,,..,.
| RuSsclot was closely CrU,s-eNaWincd by PROSECUTOR
Abel Rosscot stated that his trade that o. Leading
glass IN windows, but that he had been employed IN
yarou, ways Nontciar hud Boston rs ne cOuiu get
! work He had been working only three days ,or MI
thS ra,den Mr Blair had told hm that his coach
! lra
| he was expected 10 take BIS place. The VIII
strong but said that Armstrong was very
given 70 the use OF proane ana we language re
OF the latter. Rossclot bad never had any haTsh
tween him and Mr. Blair nntll the occasion OF Ihe
shooting When he saw Mr. Blair come oui WIZ
the cow-ouse As he expressed it, he thought there
was going to be racket and did not want 10 sec IT..
ppsaiTs and Later came tue two pistol snols He thea
came from behind this house. and saw MI Blair come
te to ho G%1hu in Jun hts hapG ar his time He
sent the children the barn into The house aud then
went to where John was lying He directed me
finish harnessIns the horse aud TO go or al
the doctors the town, ing 10 Armstrong, John,
poor fellow. wen do what for you, II you did
! bring 1t yourself" John replied, " On. you are
| villain. You've killed me-"
Rosselot would not say on crosse Examination that be
Mr. Blair have two pstos In his hands at any tlne
Both pistols produced from package IN the pos
session Of the Coroner and shown to him. The nickel
bands he back from me house. lust before
sbSw :" his wife and saw THIS Is what John would
have kIlled me with II had not shot him." Coroner
Mrs Blair and Miss Draper, visitor prior TO the
shooting, Go into the house this thing must be Sc
During the examination OF RossslOt there were one or
two outbreaks OF scornfu laughter from tue audience
which the Coroner however promptly checked by stat
ing that the proceedings would ut once be- stopped II
order were not preserved.
OTHER TESTIMONY IN THE CASE.
David Tuers young man who lived near by and
overheard with two companions the alteration. te
fed that he Of the first 10 arrive after the shoot
ing He heard Armstrong say " b air Is ruftan and
has murdered me-" Afterwards when he about going
away Mr.. Blair said: 1T is bad business shooting
man" He and ma companion replied that II
was, and they guessed he would have TO SUI
He Blair phil out some money, ana when they
were near Armstrong; - had the money to pay MN
money any more. for think am going 10 die" The
witness stated taaI he twice heard Armstrong say that
MI Blair shot him while he was going upstairs.
DE- &. W. Butler testified that he OF the ply
scians called 10 atond Armstrong after he was shot
Two bullet wounds were discovered ono entering Tue
back vertically rud tue olAor the lett side, ana pro
mat Mr. Bnir explained 20 him that he hrst hred on
Armstrong trying 10 ht hun ih Ihe leg after the a
had opened tho door to bis rooms Thinking that me rsi
bullet had not taken eject, as Armstrong turned ahu
was about TO snoot him. he fired ag,n, changing b!'
This was not told before Armstrong. out was repoatd
by the witness 10 IN Berry III ArmstrOng's hearing
Armstrong denied It's tfut, saying mat ne was shoi n
fore entering .is room. Dr. Butler heard Armsliont
speak ~ Bar as bloody mutdctrf' ~ w IT,
Lear Alr. Blair speak OF the shooting IN AripstfohSS
presence. 5000, tn,
d.. William j. Berry testified that he heard from
Armstrong 10 ,XcIinttUns bat those Oi pam III pIoD
ing wounds he found tuat the one IN the breast pro-
Gee led urwarh ana TO the right that III the back tor
ward and JHn ward. WUen he gong away ne h,Iu
Mr. BLAIR say, l. II terrible thing to shoot nhn -
The R.v. Father JOSEPH Mondl was called and teaiE
fled thai be administered the rites OF the Churta 10
Armstrong lie heard 10 Statements or eh ahalD.5
AS To the shooting. lie heard Mr BLAIR say
me was very sorry that 10 had happened. hl.
Hgir asked him If Armstrong WOuld loIEiN'
MIN They went together TO tho room Wiet1 90.
wounded man lay. Armstrong at nrs wauled Sir bllL
flkrn awnY. on briMR reprOYed by thr IrlsI 10 IUL