New-York tribune., 1883-06-15
THE KILLING OF DUKES.
VERDICT OF THE CORONER's JURY.
TESTIMONY OF PERSONS WHO WITNESSED TIN
MURDER

| MURDER.
| UNIoNTowN Penn, June 14-The shooting Of N.
l.. Dukes the slayer of Captain A. c. Mutt, by son
of the latter, last evening was the aIl-ab-
sorbing topic Of conversation to-day. The
Coroners jury resumed their investigation
this morning. only one witness having
testified last night. Policemen Pegg testified that
he was standing on the corner ofFreemont-st. when
he heard shot fred and saw Dukes leaving ths
corner of Pittsburg-st As he looked into the post
office door. Mutt fired again. There were five shots
Cred before hc made the arrest.
John r. Wilson testified that he was standing In
front of the post Office. After two shots had
been fired he o man come around tho
corner and another after him. The witness went to
the post Office door and saw Dukes lying on the
floor
f. f. Weinger testified that he was standing in the
post office about four feet to the right OF the door,
He saw Dukes come running in and saw the flash of
a revolver. The witness exclaimed, "Whom arc
you shooting at ~ and just then Dukes fell down in
front of the window. The witness could not SEQ
who did tho shooting on account Of the smoke.
George Seaton saw Dukes coming down tho
street. and saw Mutt standing there Immediately
before. in conversation with person. Dukes
lodged as though he had dropped something and
wanted to pick it up, and then the witness saw
flash Of q revolver. Mutt could not have been more
than five or six feet from Dukes.
Henry Diffenderffer said he saw Dukes coming
around the corner, with young Mutt Immediately
behind him, probably eight feet. He heard two
shots before he saw Dukes AS Dukes passed he
noticed his face colorless. He saw Nutffirs
the third shot, but did see the first or second
shots fired He heard the fourth shot; it was fred
little to the left of the post Office. Dukes was at
this time just against the side of the post Office
nd ha in, IIa
motions. There were five shots fired, two in Main
St., two in Pittsburgst, and in the post Office.
Thomas Peall was standing on the corner talking
to Diffenderffer as Dukes came around. Dukes
turned the shortly after the second shot was
fired. and gIsped as he went up the steps, Nuts
fired another shot aud Dukes staggered as he
stepped into the Office door. The third
and fourth shots were fired close together.
There was little interval between these and the
fifth shot. They were fired as If shot from self
cocker; Policeman Pegg appeared immediately.
after the last shot and threw Mutt back to pile OF
boards lying on heap of dirt in front of the post
office door. Dukes was lying on his face on the
post office floor gasping f. A. Lingo spoke to
Dukes, but received no answer. Dukes didn't utter
word
DR.. w. A. Sturgeon testified that there were three
pis o-shot wounds to the lefC of Dukes's back.
They passed through the b, dy A ball that struck
other ball took a diagonal course, also passing
through the heart. There was bruise ON the fore
head. also one on the left ankle These were caused
Henry f. Myer said that he was standing in the
old drug store leaning against the middle post. He
saw two men standing right above him at the
next post. He did not know them lie saw
Dukes come along the pavement. AS soon as
he came opposite the point where the two men
were standing one of them drew his pistol. Dukes
started off, and as he was rgh. opposite the wit.
ness there was another shot hred at him. Dukes
went around the corner.
The jury then retired and in few minutes re
turned with the following verdict:
We find that said Nicholas L. Dukes came to his death
from wounds received from revolver fired IN the nsnds
OF James Mutt the corner OF Main aud Ptsburg ss
Ia Unontown, the 18th day OF june 1888 at about
the hour Of 7:i5 O'Clock p. m.
At IL O'clock this morning mud-splasbed spring.
wagon drove up in front of the Jennings Honse.
and the body of Dukes was hurriedy borne QUE
aud placed therein. The body was taken TO the
Struble residence in German township accompal-
sister Miss Struble Mrs. Helen. another half.sis'cr
followed In another carriage, and AsDury Strubls
and his son George acc ompaned them on horseback.
The lnterment Will take place on Saturday morning
in Churchill Cemetery.
rumor became current here to-day through
The iustrumentality of Dukes's friends that Mrs.
son TO kill Dukes. G. H. Rush, a prominent mer.
chant OF uniontown. and one who is in a position
to know. brands this assertion as a he. Mr. Rush
says that Mrs. Mutt did everything TO keep her son
from attacking bus fathers murderer, aud persis-
tenty urged ber boy to give her a solemn promise
hat he would not attack Dukes From good
he street and laughed IN his face in a sueering
and thus himself precIpitaied the tragedy.
W. H. Playford and A. ID. Boyd have been re-
aimed as counsel for Mutt, and a strong
,ffort will be made to have Charles f.
5oyle join in the defence. Mr.. Boyle was
waited on to-day by a number of Dukes friends
y no asked him to conduct the prosecution, but he
efused TO 10 do so, and il is q question whether
here is "a member of the bar IN Fayette County
v no will appear against Mutt. The task willlproba-
bly, fall upon the District-Attorney. rumOr was
circulated that Mutt insane lie would say
0thing in regard to Dukess death having been so
instructed by his counsel.
This afternoon Mutt had an affecting interview
With his mother. Mrs, Mutt was ac-
ompanied by her two brothers. The was
sstred by his uncles that the synpathy
f the public was with him.. This even.
ng brass band appeared in the street
nd played several tunes just opposite
$ TO whether they making merry over the
cath oil Dukes, the musicians replied that it
'as the usual night concert
hey shortly afterward retired 10 their rooms.
ublic sentiment is strongly in favor OF Mutt
Iessages have been pouring in all day
om all sections of the country rendering
rmpathy TO Mutt and his family, and Offering
scmnlary assistance TO be used in his defence. In
irtsburg a public su description has been started
II he same purpose The trial it is thought,
Ill take place at the September term of tho
urt, and, AS his offence Is
ulabe, Mutt Will have to remain in
isan until thas time. In inter-.
CIV tonight Mrs. Mutt said that she h I'D entreated
n over and again TO promise that In
Ould never assa Dukes.