Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1890-10-30
FaRRA HE'D ZOE couRT.
Devine's Death Resulted From the Bio,
Which He Intlinteil.

hnicn re Inn1cLeu.
The coroners jury in the Devine muir
der case, met ut the city hall, and after hear
ing number of witnesses rendered the
following verdict
R-soivea, That james Devine came TO his
death on October 9th, 1870, from the result of
blow inflicted by John u. Farla, in the Penn
sylvania House, in the city OF Wilmington.
The jury was composed of the following
citizens Peter A. Pagan foreman; George
+. w. Harold, w. IL. Walker, James p.
Conway, James s. Coyle, Caleb Brinton.
DR.. John O. Fahey was the first witness.
He performed the post mortem examina-
ton, assisted by Drs NJ. j. Hughes and
George A. Steinicken, All Of the doctors
agreed as to the result. The heart and
lungs were found in a perfectly normal
found on the back of the head and at the
base of the brain there had been rupture
of the blood vessels from conclusion, and
hemorrhage, which produced pressure and
death. 1t was the impression of the doctors
that the fall on the floor had produced the
concusson and not the blow of Ilarra' S fist.
Joseph A. Baumann, the proprietor ofthe
Pennsylvania House, testified that he was
reading his paperwhen Farra entered little
after 6 o'clock. Mr.. Farra was sober Two
strangers came in staggering They were
Sparks and Devine. The latter was pretty
drunk. After ordering. drinks Sparks
asked about accommodations for the night
for his friend. Mr.. Baumann told him
that the house was full. Sparks did not
take kindly to the suggestion to take
Deyine across the street to private house
and said that they were not buns"
Farra then called Sparks and they con-
versed about a money matter. After few
hot words, Farra knocked Sparks down.
The latter became very much excited and
acted wildly. Devine then approached
Farra and was also knocked down, and
lay still. Shortly he was put in the corner.
He was alive them.
Joseph Branigan assisted to carry Devine
into the corner, at which time he was
living.
Detective w. T. Jones detailed the cir
cumstances under which he was called to
the bar-room. Deyne was living when he
arrived but his pulse was faint and he was
dying. He died before Dr. Morrison ar
rived.
Otto NJ. Elwert and +. l.. Herr were in
an adjoining room and heard the quarrel
about the accom- Z, 1dasions, and later
Sparks fall They went into the room in
time to see Deyine approach Farra with
his hand raised, and to see Farra fell him
with one blow. Farra said 'What have
You got to do with it 2"
Casper Conrad the bartender did not
see Farra strike Devine. lie saw Sparks
and Deyine come in. Both We're drunk.
After getting drinks Farra and Sparks
came to words and Sparks was knocked
down. Witness followed him into the
other room, and when he returned Devine
was on the floor.
Harry +. Sparks Devine's companion,
said that they lett the Phoenix engine
house about go O'Clock and described the
route taken and the numerous saloons
visited before going into the Pennsylvania
House. He claimed that Farra insulted
him and then knocked him down. After
the struggle he went into an adjoining
room and when he returned saw Farra
knock Devine down.
After the verdict was rendered, Coroner
Gamble ordered Farra held without bail
for the action of the grand jury.