New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-04-23
KILLED IN A SUNDAY BROIL.

DEBATE on MUSIC ENDING IN MURDER
TWO BROTHERS ARRESTED FOR SHOOTING FRENCH
CANADIAN-coNFEssIoN OF ONE OF THE Pus-
oNERs.
Sunday is usually one of the busiest days of the
week for coroners and their assistants and yester-
day proved no exception to the rule. Deputy
Coroner Donlin made an autopsy IN the afternoon
on the body Of Peter Ratel young French Cana
dian cOach-driver, who was shot and killed in a
broil in the early part of the morning. Ratel, in
company with his brother-in-law, Samuel Canton,
left his home at No. 211 East Seventy fourth st.
to attend the wake of q child which being held
in frame house at Seventy-fifth-st and First
ave. The two men went into Davis's liquor
store at Thrd-ave. and Seventy -ffth-st., 10
get drink on their way to the wake.
Two brothers, Francis and James Martin, who are
employed as shirt-cutters in Walach's place at
Duane and Church sts, were in the barroom drink
ing The men were all acquainted and began TO
drink together and discuss the merits as an ac-
Gordon player of a variety actor named Nugent.
The Martins praised the musician while Canton ex-
pressed the opinion that he was "no good" Ratel
sided wi his brother-in-law and a sharp contro-
versy followed. Ratel said the Martins are all
liars any way" At this the two brothers went out
on the sidewalk and dared the Canadian TO come
outside. He started out but was detained by
Thomas CUT, the barkeeper, and Canton. Cuff re-
marked that it was safer for him to remain inside,
as the Martins were known to be armed.
While his friends were striving to detain
Ratel, pistol-shot was heard and the
ball came crashing through the pane
OF glass in close proximity to Cuffs head. He i'm:
medately released Ratel, and the coachman started
for the door and went out where the Martins were
standing on the sidewalk in front af the door. The
| xrtfn 81 TnOmeut elQnsfO
| before two shots were fired in quick succession.
| Cuff and Canton ran into the street and saw the
Martins running away and Ratel lying on the side
| walk bleeding profusely from wound in the left
temple and cut over the eye. he was unconscious
| Policemen ONell summoned an ambulance ana the
| dying man was conveyed 10 the Presbyterian hos
ptal He remained unconscious and died IL an hour
| from the time he shot.
Sergeant Smith of the Twenty elghth Precinct, in
| which the affair occurred, detailed Roundsman
Nally and Policeman Shields to arrest the witnesses
| and the Martins James Martin was found IN bed
with all his clothes on at his home No. 2l7 last
Seventy -fOurth-st. Francis was sitting IN chaiI
by the bedside and as the officers entered made
| movement as II about TO draw a pistol. lie was
| seized and pistol with one chamber discharged
was taken from him. lie put on braggadoci0 an
aud said: That big duffcr got no more than be
deserved" The two brothers were arrested. The
officers learned that Kate Martin. sister of the
prisoners had been seen TO secree pistol shortly al
ter they came home. The pistol, seyen-chambered
weapon with SIX barrels discharged, was afterward
found.
Meantime IL was thoughtIthat if the brothersIweTe
parted the younger might confess. de was taken
| to the police station IN Eiftyhrs-st When he was
shown the pistol which had been found be acknO wi.
! edged that It was his, and confessed TO shooting
Ratel He came out and fired at random In self;
| defence believing myself to be lp danger he said
| to CAPTAIN Gunner This is what rum and bad
| company will bring man to-" After his confession
| be was taken back TO the station IN Fifty
| nnth-st
James Martin is nineteen and his brother twenty
| one years old Ratel was twenty-four and leaves
q wife and child. The autopsy showed evidence oi
had cut over the left eye and his bresstbOue was
fractured. There was a confusion on the back ol
his head also. he pistol bali had passed throus
head.