Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-02-12
coRoneR,s INQUEST LAST NIGHT.
Of thc Inquest Held IN th'
Case of the Late Geo. Driscoi.

James Foley testified that he last saw the
deceased on last Monday evening ON Lime
stone in front of Bars bookstore in COM
pany with his wife. He then seemed in ex
cellent spirits.
Dr. l.. 4. Russell stated that he .irst saw
Mr.. Driscoi about five o'clock in ais bed
room. He had ON his coat, pants and un-
dershirt. l saw the pistol afterwards. 1t
had three loaded shells and one exploded
one; also one empty chamber. Ii was the
one that preceded the exploded shell from
which the ball had been fired. When l ex-
amined him at the bedside he talked at ran
dom and complained of pain in the back.
gave him whisky and ordered bottles of hot
water for his feet Prof. Howe and l
probad the wound which was
in the left breast, about three
inches below the nipple and on line. He
stated to me that he saw man as he started
TO go up stairs, and the man threw some
thing on him and sprang on him. He
Driscol) then fell. Could not tell whether
the man was black or white, nor could he
give a description of his clothing. / re-
lieved his pain by whisky, opium. and light
inhalation Of chloroform. He stated to me
that few mornings before this he thought
he heard parties in the building. He fully
recognized all his friends up to ten o'clock.
The revolver is Smith 4 Wesson, 81
caliber, single action. The bullet extracted
fits the chamber of the pistol and the eN-
ploded shell. The bullet is but
little battered and beyond doubt
SO caliber. On applying the
caliber of the bullet which was taken from
the body, there is little roughness in the
condition of its surface.
The fire of the gun powder followed the
bullet through the shirt and burned the skin
somewhat.
In addition to the gunshot wound there
are breaks of the skin on the forehead and
chin, which NAV have been made by the
striking of some weapon or by the second
fall.
Bert Parlett, night operator at the cen
tral telephone station; stated that he had a
call on the morning of February 9 from
Driscols shop. He called up the station
house and stated that he wanted the police.
J. Harvey Arbogast: reached the Dris-
col shop about O'Clock in the
morning. l went to his room
and saw that he was in a
low condition, so did not speak with him.
He came to me few days before and stated
that he thought some boys had been using
the shop for some illegal purposes and that
he was going to sift the matter cut Said
that he dreamed that he had a fight with
some burglars. He was always jovial,
kind and bright spirited, and never seemed
downcast
John Reifsneider. agent for the Central
Illinois Insurance Company, in which COM
pany Mr.. Driscol had held policy for
about eight years. Always paid up assess
ments in full promptly.
R. +. Hayward, agent for the Standard
Accident Company, of Detroit. He had a
policy for $1,000, taken the I'd OF last No
yember and paid on the 18th of Decem-
cember. l also wanted to insure him
in the Cincinnati Masonic Aid Society. He
said he had 81, 900 in the Dayton, $4,000 in
the Royal Arcanum, s3,697 in the Mattoon
Insurance Co., and $1,000 in the Standard.
l.. ii. Purcell said he had a talk with him
on Saturday evening on an old transaction
with certain lumber dealer, some business
complications having taken place between
the Driscol firm and the Springfield Engine
and Thresher Co.
Edward X. Cheney, station-house keeper
said that on the morning of February 9tl
he received message at 4:30 a. m. to have
an officer GO to Driscors carriage shop.
then telephoned the mayors Office and sent
policeman down. Nothing was said OF
what was the matter down at the shop.
did not know whether there were any bur.
glars in the shop or not
Geo. ii. Knight testified that on last Tues
day he learned that s1O.s5 was due the
col's policy for $1,000. 1t was de
termined by himself and a few other mem
bers of the lodge, that they go to Dayton
and pay this, as probably this would prevent
Mrs. Driscol from receiving the 1000.
But afterwards it was discovered
that the notice of assessment was with the
Second National bank, and the amount was
paid there by Mr.. L. H. Purcell.
The following is substantially the testi-
mony given by Henry Slater, the suspect
arrested:
Slater said he has lived here since last
spring, having came here from indianapolis;
been to church with his wife the night be
fore the r.urder; returned to the American
House about eleven O'Clock with his wife.
Got up the next morning about 4:S0, and
made the fire in the hotel kitchen. Went
up stairs and finished dressing and told his
wife that he was going home. Then went
home and put on his working clothes. Then
went up to the Arcade to meet a man that
had promised him work This name is John
SOM, but the man did not come. On my
way to the Arcade met policeman Nick
las), who asked me what l was doing out
that time in the morning. told him, and
he let me go.
Afterwards, about $50, Nicklas came up
to the Arcade and said: ''Well, Slater, I'll
have to lock you up" said; Il want to
know what Pm locked up for; haven't
done nothing" Nicklas said: I'm lock
you up on suspicion"
In answer to a question from John Arnett
as to how long ne had know Driscors car
riage shop, Slater replied: Il don't know;
l have never paid any attention to its
He being the last person to be examined,
the inquest adjourned.
The Driscol family will be examined Sat
urday morning at 10 O'Clock.
Slater was arraigned before the mayor
this morning on the charge of murder. He
plead not guilty. and the case is continued
over until Saturday evening at o'clock.