The New York herald., 1879-09-23
"THE INNOCENT SUFFER. y
FIGHT BETWEEN TWO MEN RESULTING IN THE
DEATH OF A LOCKER ON IN THE CROWD

FIGHT BETWEEN TWO MEN RESULTING IN THE
DEATH OF LOCKER ON IN THE cIowD-A
sQUABBLE AMONG JERSEY OFFICIALS.
Abraham Brewer, notorious desperate of Pas
sale, n. j. was returning home on Saturday night.
about half-past eleven O'Clock, in an intoxicated
condition. when he met by John Girard
Quaintance. near the Erie depot. Grard offered to
see Brewer home. which the latter insulted and
o fight ensued. in which Brewer was beaton. A crowd
separated the contestants and Brewer walked of
in the direction OF his home but had not gone more
than twenty yards before he called to Girard in
a conciliatory tone. to come with him. When
Girard came Brewer the latter picked up a
piece of sharp trap rock. weighing about four
pounds and hurled it at Girard. Girard noticed
the action f OF brewer IN nit time s,d 70 dodge, so
John J. King. young man in the crowd.
squarely on the forehead. The latter fell to the
ground. with an exclamation OF 'Oh, my God! am
killed." He was taken to neighboring drug store,
where he recovered consciousness, and, with
the assistance OF friends, walked home. At first
little was thought of the matter but King began
to fail on Sunday Drs. Rice and Collins were called
in. Contrary TO all expectation King died yester-
day morning about seven o'clock. The doc
tors attribute the cause OF death to
cussion OF the brain, az no fracture is ap-
parent. Justice Norton, who had been called to
take his ante-mortcm deposition. arrived just too
late. Deceased was young man about twenty years
Of age. an employee in Basche's shoddy mill. He
had bad habits and had only resided in Passaic
about ten days. having removed from Forrestville.
Conn. The case has caused considerable excitement
and great sympathy is expressed for his parents
Abraham Brewer is about thirty-two years of age,
has served term in the State Prison for larceny and
several times in the county jail minor charges.
He has vile and three children. He claims not to
know anything about the matter any further than
having scuffe with Girard.
CONFLICT OF AUTHORITY.
On Sunday Justice Norton had issued warrant
for tine arrest of Brewer q charge OF assault and
battery. aud yesterday morning, before lie learned
of the death of King. issued com nitment aud
placed It in the hands OF Constablc Conkling. In
| the meantime Coroner Euian, OF Paterson. ar
rived. took possession OF the body aud ordered
the arrest OF Brewer. Learning that the latter
was already In thc city lookup nc at
pai-ed thithcr and instructed Constable Conkling.
who arrived shortly after with Justice Norton's
commitment net to touch the prisoner. The JUS
tice insisted the execution of the commitment.
and the Constable about to follow his order,
when Chief OF Police Garret II. Adds prevented him
from doing by asserting his rig ght OF command
the lookup Justice Norton then declared that
lie would take testimony III the and submit 1t to
the GRAND Jury, which begins its labors to-day,
arguing that he in charge of the case having
caused the man s for assault. In the evening
the matter was compromised by the Coroner allow
ing the eoval OF the prisoner to the jail ut Pater-
son and the Justice examining a number of wit
nesses. In the meantime the Coroner cinpaneled u
jury, who. after viewing the body adjourned to
this morning, when the inquest viii be begun and
the Coroner Will issue another commitment for