The New York herald., 1879-07-02
THE MONTCLAIR TRAGEDY.

INQUEST INTO THE CIRCUMSTANCES ATTENDING
IT-DEATH OF ARMSTRONG, THE COACHMAN-
EYE WITNESSES ExAMINED-DID BLAIR FIRE
IN sELF-DEFENcE?
The inquest in the case Of Joseph A. Blair. who
shot John Armstrong. his coachman. last Thursday,
evening" was opened yesterday at Montclar. Every
seat in Jacobus' Hall was filed and several hum
dred persons stood. Blair not present, but
Judge Ellsworth and Counsellors Weeks and
Arnoux represented him. Colonel G. N Abeel repre-
sented the State. Among the audience were Rev.
DIR. Berry, Dr. Pinkham, Dr. Marvin. F. A. Brau-
tigam. w. A. Torrcy. o. I. Warren and other well
known citizens of Montclair The jury consists Of
James o. Crane William sgler. William Jacobus.
E. D. Hall. l. Z. Wright, Il. G. Corby. John Sayland.
Z. A. Gould and J. L. Kuchler. Most Of the jurors
highly intelligent and all Of good standing.
The first witness Potter Edward Rosseot
fellow workman with Armstrong in the employ Of
Mr. Blair. His testimony set forth that he had been
ut work only three days AS assistant stabeman for
Mr.. Blair; that he was present in the stable
when the quarrel between Blair and ARM
strong took place. Blair beginning 1t by
finding fault with Armstrong for stopping
the way from the depot with the carriage In front
beer saloon to get glass OF beer; that John was
extremely abusive told his boss that 1t was none OF
his God damned business he came home or
what he drank so long he got there all right and
sober. The witness continued Mr.. Blair said
John wasn't smart or he would have tied his
his beer and nobody would be the wiser;
John, on being found fault with, demanded full
months wages Blair refused. saying he must re-
member that he in Jersey, not New York. and
agreed to submit the matter to Justice Pillsbury;
money and leave at once; Blair followed john into
the barn and John said Get out OF this or III blow
your brains out;' Mrs Blair came in and he said.
You're no lady to come into the barn and your hus-
band is gentleman. neither again and again
Armstrong ordered Blair out. threatening to blow
Blar's brains out il he didn't co..
Finally Blair went, and soon returned with pis-
toll in his hand; John had begun to harness the
horses he started to go up stairs i'll the barn; Blair
followed. Witness had now got behind the COW
house. fearing that there was 'going to be racket
He stayed there, ana says he heard all that said
by Blair and Armstrong. who going up the stairs
Blair said three or four times. John don't open
that door Give me those keys!' Soon after witness
heard a shot and then another; presently Blair
came down and witness saw him with two revolvers.
and Blair said, 'If hadn't shot him he'd shot
ine;'' John came down speedily, walked few
PAGES and dropped on the grass Blair told witness
to go with the horses and get all the doctors in
town; Blair remarked. ''He brought 1t on himself.
but we'll do all we can for the poor fellow
Upon cross-examnation Rosselot said Armstrong
not good man to talk to and used to swear and
all the time; ured to call Blair and his chill.
drcn, behind their backs, vulgar names; that ARM
strong told witness lie was going to leave wednes-
day next to-day; had any harsh words
with him; John, Thursday, was not under
the influence Of liquor; could not say
revolver shown TO witness); while John lay
on the grass he cried, addressing Blair. "Oh you
nothing but look on John lay on the grass hour
and then reno ved TO room: Blair had only Que
revolver IA contradiction OF his direct testimony;
black, rusty one. The witness was shown rye
navy revolver and he said he thought that was 1t.
Heard Blair say to Mrs. Blair This is what John
would have shot me with IL / hadn't shot him." To
Diair's counsels question the witness said:-"John
was greatly excited; Mr.. Blair was cool"
TESTIMONY OF DAVID
The next witness called David Tuers. who
sides door to the Blairs he is o young man OF
Twenty-Five; he was nearby when the fracas took
place; he heard loud talking In Blar's place. aud
then two shots in quick siiccesson ran TO the fence
and saw Blair and Rosselet standing and Armstrong
lying the grass; witness said to Blair ''lts bad
business this shootin', and you'll have to sufier;
Blair said "Yes: but I'm able to suffer-" witness
heard Armstrong say, as he lay ON the grass. "Mr.
Blair. you rulian you've murthered mel Blair
said he would pay John his iull wages in the MORN
ing; John said, mourntully. che wouldn't need it
he would be dead; Armstrong SAID Blair was very
rough man. and that he wasn't in the room OF the
barn, but was shot the stair; when Blair said
something to the contrary Armstrong promptly
contradicted him; he insisted that he was shot on
tho STAIR not In the room BLAIR said that he fired
in self-Icfcnce.
Juror Crane-when John said to Blair. you've
murdered me- did blair make any reply?
Wtpess--No, but when Blair said he shot John In
seIf-,lcfcnce John said he did not he shot him on
the stair The point sought to bo made by tho de-
fence Is that the shooting took place I'm the room
white Armstrong was reaching for the rusty re-
volvcr the Shell
THE Docron's TESTIMONY.
DIR. Clarence w. Butler testified to being called to
attend Armstrong. He described the wound. DIR.
Berry was also In attendance. While he was probing
he shot; Blair said ho intended TO shoot John
In the legs.
Rev. Father Mcndcl next testified to giving
Armstrong the last consolation of the Church.
journed to tho Court House at Newark this morning
at ten o'clock.