New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-06-22
THE MURDER OF FLANAGAN.
COLES DENIES THAT HE WAS DRUNK.
THE INK ERASER PENETRATED THE WOUNDED
NAYS HEART-COLEs HELD WITHOUT BAIL.

THE INK ERASER PENETRATED THE WOUNDED
MANS HEAgT-CoLEs HELD WITHOUT BAIL.
Henry w. Coles, who stabbed and killed
Thomas Flanagan, the Glscy House cab-driver in H.
D. Bangs barrOom, ut No. 1,2l4 Broadway was locked
MP In the Jefferson Market prison last light. He was
taken to Jefferson Market Police Court in the
ing from the Twenty ninth Precinct Station. where he
spent Sunday night, by Ofcer Jaege. who arrested
him. When arragncd before Justice welde, he had just
been Informed OF death OF his victim and the news
had unnerved him considerably. In to questions
by the Justice he said that he born In Vermont.
Ived at No. l95 Pierrep0nt-s., Brooklyn. and WAS
bcokkeeper by occupation Policeman Jaesel told tho
Justice that Flanagan dead and had fully Identified
Coles as his assaant before he died Coles was
renanded without bail to await the OF the Grand
Jury.
lie was in his cell in the afternoon by TRIBUNE
reporter He is rather eood-lookng young man and
Willie his eyes slightly bloodshot his face did not
bear the evidences CT pr0racted debauch or of steady
dissipation. lie was plainly but neatly dressed and
appeared to feel his position Ike ,ny When asked about
the stabbing he saia
dl the cutting in self defence left the store at
o'clock Saturday and took several drinks during the
afternoon and drank more or less during Sunday but at
the time met Flar agau was not drunk We won't into
the place Broadway to get drink, and there was
some dispute about the payment. but nothing serious
and turned to out had just got outside OF the door
violent blow in the jaw from behind. turned quickly
and although it dark in the hallway and was half
dazed from the blow. saw that was attacked by two
men. / warded of two three blows but struck
once or twice more. then thought Of tho ink eraser
which I always carried in my waistcost pocket, and
pulling 1t out quickly struck out mechanically.
had no idea that had Dne any serious injury aud only
used the when | thought that Was in serious
danger OF being done up myself When the two mon left
ne alone | ran away. and Was stopped by the ofcer.
am not heavy drinker and only did the cutting when
was In fear OF my life.
Many friends called on Coles in the prison and every
thing Will be done for him that 1t is possible to do.
At H. b. Claiin n CO. store in Church where
Coles has been employed as bookkeeper for twelve
years Mr. foss, one OF the rm said tnat so ar as his
work was concerned heie had been no cause TO COM
plain OF Coes lie was steady, bard worker, under
stood his business and attended To it, When he read OF
the unfortunate affair in the papers Yesterday Mr. Foss
snii ne was completely thunder struck M ALusrone
toless Immediate superior said hat while he knew that
Coles drank sometimes. he never knew him To be drunk
He lett the store at o'clock on Saturday and was then
perfectly straight. Coles had had FAMILY trou les ana
good family in OF the Eastern states and had some
influential relatives there Among his associates IN tue
vas talked of in the store the ink eraser With which
the stabbiDg done is such Is used ordinarily by
and used FOR sharpening pencils Coles carried 1t habit
Tally In his waistcoat pocket and ony few minutes
Alter Flanagan, the wounded man. had identified his
died AT | a. III yester lay. Coroner Nusent issued
Kermit for the removal OF the body and It was taken to
the home OF the dead man AT No. 43l West Ihlrty-
secondst., where 1t prepared for burial Flanagan
leaves wife and six children, the oldest boy ot
thirteen. When body brought nome the scene
affecting in the extreme Many OF the sympathlzng
friends aud Ie.hbors called 10 offer their condolences
and loud and deep were heaped on Coles.
Flanagan will he buried IN Calvary Cemetery but II has
not been decided ut what time.
Before Coles taken To cOuft yesterday morning
bog uf thirteen the station and introduced hin
self Cross the OF tue murdered man
ard asked the prisoner The sergeant ad fbe boy
closely searched and he was Ihen shown INTO tae cell
then walked out. Cross a>kc why he wished 10 the
prisoner. The hoy said cOoly: | Thought maybe |
conld identify him. hut never saw him before"
At the Gilsey House, where Flanagan had been ever
since the house opened, subscription was started ior
the family or tho murdered The subscriptions
mounted up rapidly and over $loO had been pali IN
Testerday. the hotel flana gan had the reputa-
ton of being quiet. sOher who would lie the last
man in the world To seek a quarrel with anybody.
Coroner Nusent held autopsy upon the BODY or
Flanagan found tnat dsah duo to hemorrhase
IN the left chest The blade Of the ink penetrated
Flanagan's than three quarters OF an lnch