Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-03-18
The Double Death Mystery.
CoRoNER's INQUEST OVER THE BODIES OF JOB
AND JANE REILLY.


AND JANE REILLY.
Professor De Smedt sgnified to Coroner Pat
terson last evening that he was ready to give
testimony before the inquest in the case of the
mysterious deaths OF John and jane Reilly on
sunday night last, and the inquest was accord
ingly begun at IL o'clock to-day. Lieutenant
Kelly, OF the fifth police precinct, summoned
the Following jury this morning: Michael X.
/ q. Coombs, j. A. Main, w. B. Crowley, ChaS.
Schafer, Thos. Poe, Z. COrcoran, N. Dilley, w.
II. Haney and d. McAuhfe. The inquest was
held In the apartments Of Mr.. Buchly's the I'M
dertaker) building, on the south side of Pennsyl-
vania avenue, between 9th and 10th streets.
THE FIRST WITNESS
called was James Muer, the hostler for Mr.. Hol-
Iaday, who testified as to the finding OF the
bodies of Reilly and his wife on Monday morn
ing, the circumstances of which were published
in TIE STAR OF Monday last He gave de-
employees about the stable, and said Reilly was
about the place Sunday, as usual; after dinner
Sunday he was playing in the stable with his
little dog. The last time witness saw him was
funny, as If he had been drinking. Witness did
not see Reilly's wife at all on Sunday. He did
not think Reilly was drunk, but thought he had
T her not at very usual for Mrs
had been there but four times in as many
weeks. he was present at the stable
some time ago when Reilly had fuss
with man named Strong. This amounted
to scutf1e, Strong getting the worst Of 1t.
Did not hear any words used by Strong other
than IN get even." Strong was then washing
thing afterwards about Strong'S character.
Thinks Strong said on Saturday last as to Reilly
III get even with him yet" Don't know that
Strong had any Ill feelings against the wife; did
not see Strong about the place on Sunday.
Strong came to the stable Monday about noon
on hols back. Strong was the coachman there
before Reilly. Strong said on Monday that he
was very sorry to hear of the death. Had never
seen Strong In the stable since witness had
been employed there. Reilly went to his room
about o'clock Sunday evening and he was
there when witness left about So O'Clock. He
called Mr.. Reilly to close the door before leay-
ing. Mrs. Reilly was not there at the time. A
man came there to get his hair cut on Sunday
and he told him that he would do it In the
morning. Don't know that there was any par
ticular friendship between Strong and Miss
Mary" who was employed in the house, but
had heard that he was waiting on her. This
girl left the house some time since. Did not
hear Strong say afterwards 81 hope that am
not suspected"
By Juror.-Did not know what caused the
d1fnculty between Strong and Reilly.
OTHER TESTIMONY.
Mrs Ellen King testified that she resided in
the neighboThood OF Boundary and 18th streets
don't know Mr.. Strong; had not seen Mr.. strong
at her house or elsewhere; never heard any con-
versatiOn between Strong and Muir.
Mr.. Muir here said that he saw Strong on
Tuesday. but he did not say anything about
being suspected or poison being taken.
Mrs. King resumed, saying that Sheh had con-
versation In which ii was said that Strong had
been arrested
Thos Walsh testified that he lived at 1851 9th
street northwest, and on Monday morning he
heard OF the deaths OF the parties at his Office
{adjutant generals) and went at once to the
place; met in the alley James Conner. who said
he saw Reilly come into the alley at 81 O'Clock
that night Intoxicated; but this with other
statements he found were without foundation.
On Monday evening Went to Mr.Gannon's store:
noticed man there who could not look at him,
IN said MOI yf,p
had had difficulty with Reilly. Strong subse-
quently came in, and sitting with his back TO
witness said, 1T is pretty Wen established now
where Reilly bought his poisOn-arSenicn Wit
ness said that there was nothing there to show
that there had been poison around them.
Strong then said to MI Cannon: "By theiway
the top Of the case which I had purchased to
use about the horses and Reilly may have got
that Witness asked: allow would Reilly have
known 1t was poison or arsenic?" and he re-
left, but the next evening he returned with Mr.
Mccarthy, ana seeing Strong again asked him
how he had ascertained that Reilly had pur-
chased arsenic. Strong said he had heard
On Monday evening he saw Muir, who denied
that he saw Strong on that day, but admitted
he saw him when he lwitnessl spoke OF Lieut..
Greer having been there about the same time.
Muir said then that Erwin, coachman for Sena-
tor Pendleton, told him that Reilly and Mrs.
Reilly had passed through the alley way late at
said that he had not said so, for he had been
absent from 6 to 10k O'Clock, but had seen Reilly
go into the stable near O'Clock, walking very
fast. Witness then went to Mrs Bakers, who
said that Reilly and Mrs. Reilly left the house
at 81 O'clock From his knowledge of the par
ties they were frugal and industrious, Mrs.
Reilly especially being strict and conscienti-
Gus christian. Last year they were In straight
enGd circumstances, ana then there might have
been some reason for suicide, but latterly they
have been doing well, and he could see no cause
whatever for their commission OF the act.
The coroner here stated that Mrs Holiday
noticed that the lights in the stable were burn
ing brightly at II O'Clock, but at O'Clock they
were turned low.
Miss Della Shields testified that she is on a
visit to Mrs. Baker at 1f04 18th street, and saw
Mrs. Reilly and her husband there at 81 on
Sunday night, and Mr.. r. was not then under
the influence OF liquor
Mary Hackley testified that she was employed
at Mrs. Bakers, and Mr.. and Mrs. Reilly were at
the house on Sunday evening about O'Clock.
They appeared to be in their usual spirits.
Timothy Cannon testified that he resided at
18th street and Massachusetts avenue; that
Strong about week before the death, said
Reilly had reported that he (Strong) was mar
rted man and had injured his character, and he
was going down TO have satisfaction. In the
evening Strong came back with his face
scratched, and said that they had had the fight
but it was not done with. and he would follow
him up until he (Reilly) withdrew what he had
said about him. Witness heard the talk about
arsenic, in which the difficulty Of obtaining 1t
nom tne drug stores was alluded TO, and Strong
remarked that he had left arsenic in the stable.
Strong insisted that Reilly should retract every
word he had said against him. Strong said that
he had heard that Reilly had bought arsenic a
few days before, and he explained that small
pinch was enough for horse.
Michael OToole testified that he lives at HOS
l4th street northwest, and saw Reilly on Satur
day night at IL O'Clock; did not seshim sun
day; he was not drunk saturday night
Mary A. Cherry testified that she lives at Mr..
Riggs, but was employed at Mr.. Holidays up to
week ago last saturday; while at Mr.. Hoia-
days was In the habit of meeting Mr.. Reilly at
the breakfast table; knew nothing OF difficulty
between MI. Strong and Mr. Reilly.
There were several parties present to testify
10 the SobTlety OF the parties, but 1t was not
deemed necessary to hear them.
Alex Lanyard, colored testified that he lives at
Mr.. Holladay'S; that on Monday morning he
went to the door and found 1t fastened, and OBJ
taining permission Of Mr.. Holiday, broke the
door open and found the bodies as has been de-
scribed-Reilly being undressed in bed and the
woman beside the bed; saw Mr.. Reilly the even
ing before, between 5 and O'Clock.
james Fitzgerald, living at 1913 18th street,
testified that he last saw Reilly the week before
at the Capitol; saw Mr.. Strong the same week
on street, near 18th, and had conversation
with him about the fight Strong had had with
Reilly; Strong said, 'Oh, well, he scratched me
like bloody cat, but It is not all over yet" or
I'm not through with him yet"
Joseph f. Coolidge Colered, testified that he
Is employed at Mr.. Holloday'S and heard Sena-
tor Pendleton's coachman say he saw Mr.. and
Mrs. Reilly going out about 9I o'clock Sunday
night. Witness last saw Reilly about o'clock