The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-06-30
THE MONTCLAIR sHOOTINo.
An Inquest TO he Begun In Newark t.. sEor-
on the Body OF Armstrong.

Coroner Woodruff of Newark will to-mor-
row begin an inquest on the body OF John Arm
strong. the coachman who was shot by his
employer. Joseph A. Blair. in Blair's stable in
Montclnir. on Thursday evening. The inquest
will be held In Jacobin Hail. in Montclair. A
number OF bank officials and intimate friends
called upon Mr.. Blair In the Newark jail ycster-
day. Among the visitors were gentlemen from
the Montcair Hunting Club. OF which Mr..
Blair Is n member He refused to see any ro-
porter. Col. johnson said that Mr.. Blair en-
joyed a refreshing sleep on Saturday night. and
that he was In better spirits yesterday than ho
had been since the shooting. He feels his posi-
tloD keenly however. and is very nervous and
aRitated. His face shows plainly that he has
suffered great mental strain. and his eyes are
haggard. One OF his brothers visited him on
Saturday evening. His mother lives in Brook
lyn. She is 79 years old and 1t is said that she
Is Frustrated in consequence OF her sons
Tho body Of Armstrong will be kept in Coro-
ner Noodruffs mOrRue for two or three days.
A number OF persona called at the morgue yes
terday. some out OF curiosity simply, and 9TH
ers for the purpose OF seeing whether they
knew Armstrong. Two coachmen from Astoria
said that they knew a John Armstrong, n
cohchman. who ran nway from his employers six
months ngo. after taking n sum OF money. They
said. after looking at the body in the morgue,
that they did not recognize IL. No arrangements
have vet been made by tho lahorera and conch-
men IN Montclnir for the burial Of Armstrong.
II Is thought that no mad no relatives In this
country. His brother Is porter at u railroad
depot In Dublin.
John Critcholy. coachman for n Newark man
uiacturer, said Yesterday that he knew james
Armstrong. n railroud porter in Dublin who
had brother In New York. This brother was
q st-class coachman but he could not say
quiet. pcaceabe and reliable man.
Public opinion in Newark and MontclaIr Is
divided on the question whether Mr.. Blair shot
Armstrong in self-defence or not. Tho work
ing classes Invariably defend Armstrong.
The feeling against Mr.. Blair Is very bitter
Coroner's Jury renders n verdict Of murder in
the first degree, Mr.. Blair cannot ha released
on bail; hut II their verdict Is justinabe homi-
eide or atrOcious assault aud battery. no can be
admitted 10 bail, The Grand Jury will DO
chosen IN September.
Armstrong had n full reddish-brow beard
worn long. and reddish brown hair. His fore
head WIS broad and high his mouth small. and
his lips thin. He wns fine looking man. mud
II Is said that he had a fair education. A New
strong would have decent funeral, even IL he
had to pay for II himself
James Du1y Of 444 West Twenty street
says: IL appears to me that the Blair party
violent man. and that the shooting was done
in selt-defence. have known Armstrong from
boy. Hn WIS born in Dublin Of respectable
parents. and has held many situations OF trust
on the Midland Railway and elsewhere in Ire-
land. Since he came TO this country have
been intimately acquainted with him. lie has
been employed here In responsible positions. as
the testimonials found uDon his person will
snow provided they ara not done away with |
have seen the papers. and know some OF the par
was no fighter or barroom brawler but an in
telligent and kind young Irishman."