The New York herald., 1879-07-04
MANSLAUGHTER ONLY.
Verdict of the Coroner's Jury in the
Armstrong Inquest.
THE PRISONER IN TEARS.
OpheIia Dyer Relates What She Knew
of Mr.. Bair's Deed.

The inquest in the case of Joseph A. Blair. who
shot his coachman. John Armstrong. was concluded
in Newark yesterday. There three features in
the proceedings-hrst, the startling and very i'm
portant evidence of ophelia Dyer the servant girl.
who disappeared the day after the shooting and
supposed have been spirited of by the defence;
second. the utter breaking down of Blair he told
his story the stand and third. the entirely unex
pected verdict of manslaughter and that only by five
of the jury the other four being favor of verdict
OF justihable homicide.
Dr. John w. Pinkharn. of Montclair. testified
Drove to Mr.. Blairs the evening of the shooting;
Armstrong had been removed to Newark; Blair said
he followed the man up stairs under the impression
shat he going for pistol and tried to restrain
him from entering the room; he finally fired. aiming
low; when Armstrong got hold of the pistol and
aimed 1T at him he fred q second time. believing
that lie had not shot him the first time; Arm
strong in the hospital before he died; he said
coming homo from the Ogilbys he thirsty at the
hotel he called for ale the horses unruly. and
he gave them couple of whips; the next evening
Mr.. Blair to the stable and abused him.
and called him bad names Mrs. Blair came out
and did the same; Mr.. Blair went to the house and
came out with pistol; he armstrong; ran up stairs
followed by Blair. who shot him on the stairs.
James II. Duffy. of No. 44i West Twenty eighth
street, this city. who is collector for brewery.
testified that the had known Armstrong from child
hood; knew him in Dublin; Armstrong and his two
brothers were employed; guardsmen Tor conduc-
tors) on the Midland Railroad in Ireland: John came
here seven years ago and was going to his uncle's in
Minnesota. but hadn't money he was very quiet
man and not addicted to swearing.
Mary L. Gallagher. servant girl, who had Arm
strong picture in her possession, but who had last
him three years ago. testified also that he
quiet. peaceable gentlemanly. trustworthy young
,.Iaks@
ham. of Irvington.
Thomas Geery of No. 78 North Moore street. this
city. freight hand on the Hudson River Railroad
testified to having known Armstrong thirteen years
and finding him of quiet, pleasant disposition
oPHRLIA DYER's TESTIMONY.
Then came the sensation OF the investigation.
Ophelia Dyer's name called. AS the woman
came to the witness stand every neck craned to
catch glimpse Of her. She testified follows:-
On the night of the shooting heard loud talking
the stable; was then in the kitchen; think Mrs.
Blair and Miss Draper the garden; heard
John swearing. and knew the men quarrelng;
went into the dining room and Mr.. Blair run
into the house; said. "Oh. Mr.. Blair don't
get out of patience with that mani he
said, Hold your jaw; l am running this
and passed into the yard; did not look at him
when he passed OUT when he in the yard saw
he had a shiny revolver in his hand; heard Blair
say to the ladies and children, "All go into the
house." and afterward he said. II can't help it, it
must be done;" he went toward the barn 1 said,
"Oh. Mrs. Blair, can't you stop him? why it's an
awful thing to shoot that man down!' she began to
cry; then heard two shots. right after the
other and heard John shout murder! !" three times
Mr.. Blair came to the house and said, MRS Blair
did John shoot Mr. Blair 2" and she said .Mr Blair
shot John 20 / said to him, 'Oh Mr.. Blair did you
shoot himY' Eyes. and am sorry" he answered
we gave John brandy; Mr.. Blair came him
and John said, go away; you're a murdcrous viii
LAIN; John also said, ~ am going to die. and. be-
fore my God, had revolver in my hand; Mr..
IIofr oh< ,xuaA and lob had
10 pay you;" John answered that he would not need
the money; WANTED to get pillow and said John
let him die said, us that the way you treat dy-
ing man?' took the pillow to him when they
were taking him to the hospital said. "Goodby.
John If shouldn't see you again; :; he was too fee
ble to answer but moved his head; understood
John to say Mr.. Blair shot him the stairs when
he armstrong; had no revolver; he clinched him
the stairs.
THE IMPRESS OF TRUTH
This testimony given in u manner that i'm
pressed ookerson with the belief that the witness
endeavoring to tell nothing but the truth. Her
testimony created marked sensation. Upon cross
examination by Blairs counsel she clung to her
story. and stated that the day following the shoot
ing she called into the paror and questioned by
Mr. ArnoIx. of Bairs counsel She continued -
remember telling you my story on Friday;
think told you that Mr.. Blair said to me, keep
your jaw stl;" Mr. Blair then said he had merely
told me to keep still; it was before the firing that
Blair told the family to go into the house; am
OF this the first thing said after the shooting was
81 am afraid John has shot Mr.. Blair" during the
quarrel distinctly heard John swearing; the only
cam COW ms down bit; the night before the
shooting John and Mr.. Blair exchanged sharp word
two, and Mr.. Blair said to me the look John gave
him made him afraid.
To the prosecutor the witness stated that Arm
strong was pleasant, gentemanly fellow. She con-
tinued:-On the day after the shooting Mr.. Arnoux
called me into the parlor where Mr. Blair was aud
asked me what had seen; Mr. Blair asked me If
two rcvolvcrs when he came into the
house after the shooting; said saw one; he asked
II it was rusty or shiny one; sad it shiny;
he asked me no other luestions did want
be witness. and was afraid would be detained
having seen John dying. did not want to stay
longer on the premises.
DEFENcE.
Mr. William G. Stuart, OF Connecticut. who had
had Armstrong in his employ was called. His evil
dence contradictory and confusing He con-
sidered Armstrong a troublesome man, but could
furnish no circumstance but the most trivial lie
stopped iii the middle of his testimony by the
prosecutor and left the stand George M Wheeler,
temper was not considered good. Otto Wenderleish
and his wife gave testimony representing Arm
strong as man OF violent temper. qaarrelsoine and
abusive. but 1t appeared that the witnesses were
preJudiced against him on account of religion their
testimony ruled out.
John Bullock, Of Bay Ridge. testified to having
had Armstrong in his employ. but never any
violent conduct. though he was abusive and unrea-
sonable.
Miss Rebecca Draper was recalled. She denied
that she had said "let him die" ON the contrary
she had urged Ophelia to take all the pillows she
could find to him.
BLAm's STATEMENT.
The prisoner. Blair informed that he could
make statement II he wished, but need not say
anything to criminate himself. He greatly af-
fccted. and upon gong on the stand sobbed almost
continually while giving hts statement. lie said
that he had had occasion reprove John prior to
the shooting and continued On Thursday evening,
while at supper Miss Draper told me about having
John stop the carriage before a saloon
md have beer brought out and to seeing
him aferward drive furiousy up the street, so rap
idly that she feared the carriage would upset. After
supper went to the barn and said, John. what
road did you come home yesterday" lie replied,
ii up the road" said, "What roadg' He
said lit don't matter a dararfwhat road came. SO
that got here" then told him about his getting
tile beer. aud he said that he did not leave the
carriage at the time, and asked, Cant
get glass OF beer without everybody
ir MOntclar talking about tg Montcair."
lac said, 's the damnedest place ! ever was
in sndif you pay me / Will get out" replied, "I
will pay you X you 90 right away" He then said.
III will so when get damn good and ready you or
other can make 60" l then went
around TO where the other man. Edward, was, and
asked him where could find justice of the peace.
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