National Republican., 1883-03-27
rnn eEonerrowN rnAerpY.

Testimony Given Mt the COroner's In
quest-Tho Verdict-who Committed the
Violence.
About p. m. yesterday the coroner held
an inquest over the body Of Dennis Donovan,
who was found drowned in the canal on Sun
day morning last, as stated in The REPUBLI-
CAN. The following composed the jury: S.
T. Brown, j. T. Proby, II. II. Spates, j. b.
Wells, NJ V. Bucky, and II. w. Brewer.
Miss Lennio Swan, who lives in house
overlooking the spot where the body was
found, testified that she was awakened by the
loud talking and scuffling of some persons in
front of her house. To the best of her belief,
there were two men, one of whom she
heard cry out Damn you, you hit me, did
you !" They then apparently went TO the
steps leading TO the bridge, and in few min
utes she heard splash in the water, and then
she saw some one running down Potomac
street toward Water street,
Mr.. Philip Mcdonald, who found the body,
testified that he made several attempts to
hook the body, but without success, and had
determined to give up the search and 60 to
church, but thought he would make one more
drag, when he found the body about five feet
from the bridge and but few feet from the
shore. Donovan belonged TO his lodge, but
was SO much swollen when found that he did
not recognize him at first; did not think that
deceased was an habitual drunkard he al
ways paid his dues at the lodge.
officer Burrows stated that he heard of the
circumstances, and went to the place found
several bloody spots on the bridge and some
ON a house near by, indications evidently of
a severe fight. Witness was satisfied that the
body was in the water, rs stated by Miss Swan,
and got the assistance of Mcdonald, by whom
the body was found.
John Curtin, who keeps n saloon Mt 1860 NJ
street. testified that Donovan came into his
place Saturday night shortly before 12 o'clock
and called for u glass of beer, which
was given him, and he then invited several
Others to drink with him. After putting up
the shutters Of the saloon for the night Dono-
van, Charles Brown, and l.. f. Brown were
still in the saloon, and he told them that he
was going TO close up and they must leave.
One of the Browns wanted another drink,
but he would not let him have it, telling him
that it was too late. Witness thought that he
was drunk and would not leave; Donovan
was also much intoxicated They all ap-
peared friendly and on good terms with one
another when they left his place Donovan
wanted more liquor, which he refused him.
Mrs. Julia Gross, Mrs. Magee, and Rosa
Swami gave evidence very similar to that of
Lennie Swami.
Charles Brown testified that he lived near
Curtin's saloon, and was in there when Dono-
van came in which was about quarter to II.
He was talking with Curtin, and then asked
us to have something, which we did. At IL
o'clock Curtin wanted to close up, but Dono-
van did not want to go, saying that he wanted
something more to drink. Curtin put him
out, and he fell two or three times in the
street, being very drunk.
Afthr leaving the saloon Donovan started
to go down Warehouse alley, but was too
drunk to stand up. Witness held him up,
and he and Beck Brown took him over TO
Harriss corner where we left him. He at
tempted TO follow us, but was unable to walk,
and we left him on the corner. He was very
noisy, declaring that he was going to have
satisfaction.
L. Z. Browns evidence was corroborativo
of the above. He left him on Harris's corner
and went down East Market space and Poto-
mac street to his home ON Water street. After
hearing the evidence the jury rendered u ver-
dict THAT the said Dennis Donovan came to
his death between the hours of 12 and a. m.
March %, in the canal foot of East Market
space, West Washington, d. c. from violence
and drowning at the hands of some person or
persons unknown to tho Jury"