The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-07-27
WASHINGTON IRyING'S COACHMAN.

DEATH OF WILLIAM DILLON. OF PENNY
FALL RECEIVED WHILE FIGHTING-HIs AS
sAILANT EXoNERATED.
William Dillon OF Penny Bridge. between Irving.
ton and Tarrytown. who was formerly Washington
Irving's coachman, died Friday morning of the
effects Of fall. having been knocked down by Will
lam Newman on Main street. in Tarrytown. on
Wednesday afternoon. The circumstances leading to
serious a result were by means extraordinary.
and the temperance advocates in the town pithily
observed in relation to the case :-"Dillon is dead.
Rum his murderer. He man who lived
temporarily enough o rule but two or three
times II year he would indulge in furious and pro-
longed sprees, when for days together he was ire.
sponsible and sometimes violent" 1t during
of these sprees that he went. Wednesday last
alitte before three P. NJ to the Losee House. the
main street of Tarrytown. The place il kept by
John Losee, whose wife was at the time engaged in
her kitchen. and whose Frank tending tho
bar. A single customer Mr.. s. Z. Fisher. hardware
merchant, of Tarrytown. in the barroom when
Dillon entered.
Frank Losee. seeing the condition in which Dillon
was. refused to supply him when he called for
drink and he grew very angry After arguing the
matter noisily for few minutes. and finding that
he could not got liquor. he reached suddenly
pull him out into the room. short struggle fol-
lowed, in which Frank managed to tree himself and
then Dillon attacked Mr.. Fisher, trying the vil
layers expressed it, to mop the floor with him.
Fisher having no fancy tor fight with drunken
man, escaped by the back door, and Dillon dissat-
isicd with his i'll success. went into the kitchen.
where he assaulted Mrs. Losee with q volume OF
abusive and profane language She alarmed.
and escaping from tho room, to the front the
house. when she looked around for help. Seeing
William Newman at a little distance. she called to
n
Newman responded promptly to the summons, AMI
without much difficulty succeeded in getting Dillon
Dillon walked away. but in few minutes returned
to the door OF the saloon Newman still stand
ing there. and rs Dillon attempted to push by him
and enter lie repused him. without. however. using
Of the eye witnesses differs slightly. Newman says
that when Dillon tried the second time to enter he
pushed him away with his foot. Some of those who
were looking say he kicked Dillon away. Dillon
staggered back three four steps till he came to
half falling and half sitting down on this he re-
manned for minute so, evidently confused, but
apparently not hurt. Probably the kick was not
violent one. 1t was enough. ut all events. to pro-
woke Dillon for splitting on his hands, he squared
of" and attempted to spar with Newman. Newman
does not appear from all accounts, to have shown
any anger. even when Dillon struck at him, hitting
him either in the breast shoulder; but he struck
in return. hitting Dillon in the face. He says 10
struck him with his open hand and this is corrob-
GRATED by some Of the witnesses. Some. however.
think he struck with his hst and witness.
young man named Catcher. says that he New
man strike twice in rapid succession. getting tho
second blow III while Dillon falling. Catcher.
however. did not notice that Dillon drunk. and
he is tho only one who says any thing about the
mistaken. Newman himself says he struck only
blow with the palm OF his hand. Dillon staggered
back the second time and fell This time he Tell on
his back, striKing the back OF his head against
and sustaining fracture of the skull. He
picked up and carried to his home at Penny Bridge
mile or so away. where he fingered on until Friday
morning.
Immediately on hearing of Dillons death Newman
delivered himself into the custody of Justice Manu.
OF lrvington. An inquest was yesterday held by
that official. and the foregoing facts being estab-
lished by the testimony verdict OF excusabo hon.
icde was rendered by the jury and Newman was dis
charged by tho justice.
Dillon about forty tight years old and an Irish
man by birth. He was u large man. with hery red
hair and whiskers. lie came to this country when
he was young man and was for time en-
ployed by Washington Irving as coachman After
the death of the famous author he was employed by
Mr.. uoldrdge to for his place between irving
ton and Tarrytown. and to coachman aud
gardener. He married to a very esiimablc wo.
man. and their children arc known in the Irving
ton schools exceptionally bright. Dillon, when
sober was good husband ana father but when no
was drunk he had been known to turn the whole
family out of doors at night The Irvinston
station master says that some time ago.
when Dillon WAS Sn , Hnc p rs n.s per,oaen
and, being noisy. requested to leave. He did
without making any trouble and started TO walk
vert less than half mile away. when express
train came along. The engineer whistlcd to HIM
asiSna 10 get out OF the way. out ne turned anu
shook his fist ut tho engine and obstinatcy remained
on tbs track The engineer was Obliged to stop tho
train and go up to him and throw him of into q
ditch before no could get by.
Great sympathy Is expressed by the noighbors for
Mrs. Dillon aud her family. who lott i'll almost
destitute circumstances. and Miss Morgan. daugh-
ter OF George ID. Morgan. of the Equitable Life In
surance Company. went 10 number of the residents
of Irvngton with subscription list yesterday rais
ing money for their benefit. She succeeded in pro-
curing 500 during the day.
Newman is bill poster. Hc is . man of good
character, is married and has three children.
AnnTE AvJyN,c nEAnr