Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1885-01-01
a oHRlsTMAs n oMxorDE.
Death OF Emma Murray From q
Wound Hnfffcted by a Brick,

who, on Christmas afternoon, was
hit on the head with q brick
while standing In an alley on Church
street near Taylor, died at her home, on
Greeley strest, Sunday evening about
O'Clock. IL will be remembered that
Mrs. Murray was struck on the forehead
with brick thrown by William
Stewart, and that her skull was
badly fractured, and her nose
broken. Stewart was arrested and
ON Saturday was given q hearing before
Squire 0'Neill. He pleaded not guilty to
the charge OF assaultinR the woman, but
WAS held in $500 bail for further hearing.
William B. Norton went Stewards bail
and the latter was released from custody.
DR.. Cantwell who had charge Of Mrs.
Murray testified "a his opinion that un.
less unexpected complications set In the
patient would recover. To the physi-
CLANS surprise Sunday evening the woman
expired, and Mr.. Norton proceeded to the
police station and requested the arrest Of
Stewart. Oficers Mcbride and Tibbett
were dispatched to make the arrest and
shortly returned with the prisoner. He
was looked up In the police station to
await the action OF the coroner.
The prisoner 10 known as q rather
rough character, aud has, It Ia alleged,
been In the hands Of the police pre-,
viously. He denies o statement in
local contemporary TO the effect that he
has been tried for granddaughter In Phil.
adslphis, but admits that he was given
trial for assault and battery and
acquitted. He denies any knowledge OF
hitting the woman with brick. He
states In mitigation that bricka
few freely and revolvera were used indis-
criminately. Two negroes named Archie
and Raison, 1t Is claimed, were trying to
shoot Stewart when he threw the brick
which killed the woman. While some
who profess TO have witnessed the riot,
state that bricks flaw lively aud the firing
Of pistols was frequent, there are others
who will testify that the disturb
anoe was nearly two squares away
from the scene Of the killing.
II Ia averred also, that when
the woman came ont the alley and stood
by the side OF the honse, Stewart was
observed to pick mp the brick and throw
II violently, aiming 1t directly at the
victim. No motive is assigned for the
killing II, as ia claimed by some, II was
done Intentionally.
Deputy Coroner Smith Tuesday after.
noon began the investigation Of the kill
ing Of Rmma Murray, colored, who died
on Sunday evening from the effects Of
wound received on Christmas during =
riot among q number Of black and white
men on DeoRtur street, near Buttonwood.
The Jury consisted OF William II. Quian
foreman, W. 8. MoNAir secretary,
Willism MoMenamin, Charles MoCloskey,
Alfred Z. Best, J. Barton cheyney, and
Jacob Deakyne.
William B. Norton, the first witness
called presented his views Of ths fight,
denied the mild impeachment against
Church street, that that thoroughfare had
been the scene of the riot and asserted
that the newspapers had lied about the
killing Of Mrs. Murray.
William Henry Norton, son Of the
previous witness, testified to witnessing
the riot. He saw the brick that struck
Mrs. Murray flying through the air before
Ii reached her and was Of the firm opinion
that William Stewart did not throw 1t
The missile came from an opposite direo-
ti0n and was aimed st jacob Arohey's
head, but he lodged and 1t struck the
deceased.
Edwar1 Msgonigle saw the fight, but
didn'i see the prisoner with brick. Saw
one in the hand Of man walking with
Stewart. George Wells testified to seeing
Stewart during the fight and to being
positive that he did not throw the brick
that killed the woman. Grant Kvans also
viewed the fight, but did not see Stewart
with brick. The witness stated posi-.
lively that the rev.,lver had been snapped
at Stewart while at short range. James
Deyelin was called to impeAoh the testi-
mony Of 3 witness, who had stated posi-
lively that Stewart had thrown the brick,
James Il. Hopkins, colored, witnessed
the riot from Its inception and gave .
very comprehensive statement OF the
affair. He first saw Jacob Arohey, John
Raison and Wesley Gordon, with .
revolver, going along Church street from
Eighth street. Raison had q revolver
and fired II number OF times. When
further down the street William Stewart,
the prisoner, appeared upon the scene,
Gordon into 9 house, throwing the
missile against the door after
Gordon had gotten in. Stewart
then turned upon young Arohey and
picking up another brick threw 1t
at him, but Arohey took shelter In the
same house as Gordon. William Archie
then attracted Stewards attention; he
was struck two or three times and, in
striking back, slipped and fell. Several
men then then jumped upon him and
wrestled with him. Arohey caught one
Of his bystsnders by the legs and drew
him down and dragged him beneath him
The witness then shouted "muIdsr ~
and his wife vociferiously cailsd out,
"WAri War 70 Young Afohey then
emerged from the house where
he had gone for refuge, with
an axe and succeeded In clearing the'crowd
from the "old man." George Graham
came down street and hitohed Into the
fight and oolorsd man with key stick
came to William Arohey's rescue. The
latter after lodging several missiles ran
down the railroad and disappeared
Gfaham then said to young Arohey, Il
have you marked" which brought
the reply, MARX me now"
him and William Stewart picked mp
brick. Archey seeing the latter
intended to hit him broke for the alley,
aud Ejuked" back his head just as
Stewart hurled the missile. 1t went
above Arohey's head and struck KmmR
Murray in the forehead; she fell back.
ward 10 the pavement. Stewart WAS
about 10 yards from Mrs. Murray when
he threw the brick and after hitting her
he attacked oolored man on the
sidewalk.
The testimony Of Hopkins was in the
main corroborated by Mary Potter,
Charles a. Reed, Margaret Burton, Eliza
beth Tilghmsn, Charles Murray, Eliza
Davis, William Perkins, Annie Hopkins
and others. There WAS some conflict oil
testimony, but upon the point Of Stew
arts throwing the brick which killed the
woman the above witnesses agreed.
Drs. 0ale and Csntwell alsn testified
the latter IS to the woman's condition
after being wounded and the former con
osrning the post norton examination
which disclosed the fact that the woman
skull had been fractured and the injury
had resulted In her death.
The prisoner was brought into court IL
company with two other men for identifi
cation by witnesses who were no
acquainted with him. He Ia q large
kesvily-built man, with forid com
plexion, heavy moustache, which lik
his heavy crop OF hair has been dyed to
raven black. His general appearance /
rather good.
Five hours were spent Tuesday Il
hearing the testimony, and the jury I'D
journed without considering verde
until last evening.
Thieves I'm McDowellyiIIe.
On Sunday night thieves broke th
window of Mrs. Max Wells grocery stoI